South Dakota State House candidates Karen Soli and Stace Nelson are not running against each other. Democrat Soli is running in urban District 15; Republican Nelson is running in rural District 19. But let's put their Monday press releases side by side, compare their opening volleys... and imagine them side in Pierre (assuming the Speaker got mad at Soli, too, and sat her in front next to Nelson):
 Sioux Falls Pastor Announces Run for South Dakota State House Sioux Falls, SD (April 2, 2012) - Karen Soli, experienced local leader, has announced that she is running as a Democrat for a District 15 House seat to serve in the South Dakota legislature. Soli says she is ready to use her considerable communication and leadership skills to make a difference in the South Dakota House of Representatives. "In order to resolve the difficult challenges facing our state we need an open process of governing that provides the opportunity for citizens who are affected and concerned with issues to have a voice in the legislative process," says Soli. "It takes people on all sides of difficult decisions working together creatively and thoughtfully to solve our deep seated problems and make our state a better place for all our people. I can provide that kind of leadership." Soli also believes that that providing quality education at every level for all South Dakota citizens is an essential investment in the economic and social health of our state. She thinks creating jobs is a priority, as well as protecting the well-being of workers and offering them fair pay for their work. She knows that South Dakotans need to continue to work together to give a hand-up to our neighbors in need in this state, especially the disabled, our children, and the elderly. Soli has served several parishes large and small throughout her three decade career as a pastor. She has been tapped for leadership in her denomination at all levels, including service on the national governing body for several years. She and her husband, Joseph Holt, moved to the Cathedral Historic District a dozen years ago when she was called to revitalize a congregation there. They have five grown children and three grandchildren. Currently she leads a local mobile food pantry and does capital fund campaign work for churches around the country. |
 Representative Stace Nelson Announces his re-election campaign for the SD House of Representatives Rep. Stace Nelson (R-Fulton) officially announced his Republican candidacy in District 19 (Bon Homme, Douglas, Hanson, Hutchinson, & McCook Counties) for the SD House of Representatives on April 2nd, 2012. Fulton, SD &ndash April 2nd, 2012 &ndash Subsequent to constituents in Hanson & McCook Counties providing him the most nomination signatures of any legislative candidate in SD this election, of 171 signatures, Rep. Stacey "Stace" Victor Nelson, officially announced his re-election campaign as a Republican candidate for one of two District 19 House of Representatives seats. Nelson's announcement follows a successful first term in office where he established himself as the top Conservative legislator in the state and as being unafraid to stand apart from establishment career politicians. Nelson, is a fourth generation South Dakotan whose family originally homesteaded near Lake Andes. Nelson grew up in the Salem, Sioux Falls, and rural Mitchell communities where his father Douglas L. Nelson Sr served for 32 ½ years as a South Dakota Highway Patrolman. Nelson followed a long family tradition of military service and joined the Marine Corps after graduating high school in "˜85. He served in the Marines for 13 ½ years as a military policeman, marksmanship instructor, criminal investigator, and as an NCIS Special Agent. Nelson accomplished 5 ½ years of college through Excelsior College while working full time as a Marine and as a federal agent for NCIS. Upon his honorable discharge from the Marines Corps due to injuries sustained in the line of duty, Nelson continued his law enforcement career as a civilian working as an NCIS Investigator until his retirement from federal service after a combined federal tenure of 23 ½ years. Nelson received numerous decorations and commendations for his service and spent over 18 years overseas. Nelson is an elder and member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Mitchell; the Vice Chairman of the Hanson County Republican Party; a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, a life member of the Fleet Reserve Association, and Cowboy Fast Draw Association; the Hanson County Commander and the Alexandria Post #41 Vice Commander of the American Legion, a distinguished life member of the National Rifle Association; a member of the Marine Corps League; a past member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, as well as the Federal Criminal Investigator Association; and, the former Committee Chairman of Boy Scout Troop 35, Far East Council. Nelson is married to Mrs. Aiza M. Nelson, originally from Tarlac, Philippines. Stace and Aiza reside together on their small farm North of Fulton with their teenage daughters Erika (17), and Thomina (15). Stace's youngest son Le (19) is in the Coast Guard Preparatory Academy, his daughter Megumi serves in the Navy aboard the USS James E Wilson (DDG-95), his eldest son Shawn (24), as well as his eldest daughter Lindi (26), son-in-law Ben, and grandson Parker, live in Sioux Falls. |
Both candidates give us heavy doses of their service to God and country. Neither gives us specific policy proposals, but Soli gives us some broad principles that would guide her policy: citizen participation, education as investment, job creation, fair pay, and a social safety net. Nelson simply shouts conservative—not just conservative, but "top Conservative," with a capital C nodding to the Brits just like Gordon Howie does with the Union Jack—but doesn't flesh that claim out with even general policy positions.
Soli speaks of "working together" with "people on all sides." Nelson highlights his willingness to "stand apart from establishment career politicians." Where Soli opens with the olive branch, Nelson opens (metaphorically and literally!) with the gun.
Nelson plays the family angle in much more detail. I don't begrudge a man for taking pride in his family, and family life does provide some context for understanding a person. But remember, the spouse and kids aren't sitting at the big desks in Pierre and pushing the green and red buttons.
I welcome your comparative analysis of Soli's and Nelson's campaign announcements. I further welcome their development of specific policy statements to guide the voters.
From the expression on Nelson's face, one might surmise someone has a tight grip on his nuts.
I would argue there is no vacuum in my announcement when there is ample public information as to the compass direction this canidate takes:
http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2012/MemberBills.aspx?Member=179
http://lifelibertygroup.com/uploads/Republican_Legislator_Voting_Score_Card__1_.pdf
http://www.sdrepublican.org/2011SDGOPvoteReport.pdf
http://www.dakotavoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/SD_FreedomIndex.pdf
http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2011/MemberBills.aspx?Member=179
The obvious: Soli took half the time - with equal info - to sell herself as Nelson did. Although, I would have read Nelson's even longer bio if he'd merely mentioned how he blew up the SD legislature this year and poorly represented his constituents.
I like em. It's not good to put specifics on lit or a press release. That would make them unelectable.
I don't think they need to lie to people but putting an abundance of positions on issues only means that someone will either not read the lit or get ticked off.
I suggest that if someone is concerned with an issue they ask the candidate rather than having the candidates go through an entire list of issues.
I want to say again that I know Rev. Soli through the SD Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She is very trustworthy and reliable. She has a wonderful heart full of concern for her fellow SDans. Her goals have always been the greatest good for everyone.
I cannot recommend her highly enough. She deserves your support.
Mike, that's probably why I'll never get elected: I believe in laying those specifics out and challenging people to talk about policy instead of about my family.
Having an ELCA seminarian in the house makes me keenly interested in hearing how Rev. Soli will translate her values and theology into a governing agenda.