The Dems have two heavyweight candidates for Public Utilities Commission. Joining Matt McGovern is the Holabird Humdinger, the Happiest Hunting Host in Hyde County, Nick Nemec! Dems just gave Nemec and McGovern their official nomination at their convention in Aberdeen.
Nemec farms in Hyde County. He's a former Marine and two-term state legislator. He also comments regularly, sensibly, and forcefully in the South Dakota blogosphere (bonus points for any candidate who does that!). Says Nemec of his PUC bid:
The PUC exists to protect consumers and farmers. Last year, farmers across South Dakota lost millions of dollars because the PUC ignored problems at a seed company that went bankrupt last year. It's clear the current commissioners have taken their eyes off the ball. I'm running for PUC to put South Dakota first again [press release, SDDP, 2012.06.16].
Remember the endorsement Matt McGovern received from Republican Ray Martinmaas, who says Republican bumbling on the PUC caused him and numerous neighbors to lose millions on a seedy seed company that went belly up fast? It sounds like Nick is ready to press that issue with Matt.
To make the ballot clear, McGovern is challenging incumbent Kristie Fiegen for the six-year term that's available. Nemec will battle Chris Nelson for the four-year opening. Recall that Governor Daugaard appointed both Fiegen and Nelson: Nelson got the seat that Dusty Johnson abandoned right after winning our vote in 2010 so he could be Daugaard's chief of staff, while Fiegen got the vacancy left when Steve Kolbeck, the last Dem holding statewide office in Pierre, bailed to work for CenturyLink.
Great alliteration Cory. With a name like Nick Nemec I got an early introduction to the form.
The Anderson Seed fiasco has burned a lot of SD farmers while at best our state government looked the other way, at worse they gave them the state's imprimatur.
Thank you, Nick, for running! You know the lay of the land on the harm done to South Dakota farmers by PUC's lack of a firm hand on the regulatory rudder. Now, how can we leverage your ace parliamentarian skills for electoral advantage?
Go Nick! I will vote for Nemec for whatever office he's running for. I can't think of a more trustworthy, smart, and gregrarious person. As fine a man as has ever graced South Dakota politics with his presence in my (not so) humble opinion.
I agree with Bill and others. Nick is a great family man and public servant.
Nick will be a very strong candidate for this race. I'm excited to see him in it. The PUC is ripe for a shakeup and Nick is the right person to make that case. Take it to 'em Nick!
Is PUC the most important race for the SD Dems to focus on this year?
Sorry, that was me, in the post above.
fascinating.
https://madvilletimes.com/2012/04/candidate-abraham-challenges-laic-boosts-main-street-talks-to-voters/
Did you really just call Nemec a "former" Marine?
Stace Nelson better not see that.
Stace has mentioned that terminology previously. I should remember better. Nemec served in the Marine Corps and reserves. Semper fi. Is "retired" the proper term?
Grudz, no. Varilek-Noem warrants more attention and firepower. However, taking out Nelson and Fiegen is important to (1) improve the oversight efforts and policy decisions of the PUC and (2) signal South Dakota's clear displeasure with the crony capitalism that leads to debacles like Anderson Seed. In that regard, the PUC races synergize with the push to repeal Referred Law 14. Kicking out two Daugaard nominees has some value as well in sending a signal to our new crop of legislators that they may not need to heel to a less popular governor's call so readily.
But Grudz, let me stick with the short answer: every spot of ground we can take is important.
Mr. H, I think I understand.
You SD Dems are dying of thirst, yet you will gladly chug the first bucket of piss set next to you.
That is not a comment about Mr. Nick, who I put as a top notch fellow, and who I may very well be voting for. I didn't mean my comment to be taken that way, it's just that I was trying to poke Mr. H. with a stick over his "every bit of ground".
Mr. Nick Nemec, I completely want to make it clear that I think your running for stuff is great, I think you are a swell fellow, and my previous comment was meant as a tease at Mr. H. It had nothing to do with you, sir.
Heck, I might end up campaigning for you.
Nick - still remember you from when I did some lobbying back when you were in the legislature! You definitely have my vote sir! Best of luck to ya!
Grudz, way to take a dump on your gravy tater plate, buddy. Say three Hail Marys and make Nick 5 yard signs for your penance. (...don't you sometimes wish Cory had one of those blogs where you could edit your posts? I know I do. LOL.)
Grudz, you like to tease and B.S., but rarely do include any logic or evidence with the turdpies you lob. Please establish the piss-bucketry of any candidate and how their piss quotient is any higher than that of two PUC commissioners who fail to properly regulate a seed company that fleeces dozens of farmers for millions.
I will start working on the slogans for Nemec signs after I weed my vegetable patch this afternoon. I have some good ideas, and I may ask you for some advice on the color schemes, Bill.
Attaboy grudz.
Does anyone know who Grudz is?
No. Not even grudz. LOL.
Mr. Newland knows who I am. But that isn't the point here, the point was that I was teasing Mr. H. about how the SD Democrats like to poke around the edges with these runs at the fairly anonymous Utility Commissioner and the neutered Lands Commissioner positions and then celebrate like they beat the '27 Yankees once every 15 years when they win one.
Mr. H...take a swing at the important positions, the ones all South Dakotan's know about and value. You sir, yourself, should run for State Secretary, probably the 3rd most powerful position in state government (does that make Mr. PP the 4th most powerful man in South Dakota?) And when you score, act like you've been in the end zone before. Just like Kneip did at his inaugural on Jan 7, 1975.
Only PP would think he is the 4th most powerful person in Pierre. Who does that make you Grudz?
Perhaps, mike, but would PP point out that the young Mr. Gant has a striking visual similarity to Porky Pig?
G ≠ PP. Not Pat's language or attitude. And SD Dems should fight for every position on down to county commission and sewer district. We need a bench! I take no position on the proper size of celebration.
I have taken plenty of swings at the other important statewide positions; none of them happen to be on the ballot this year. Congress will provide plenty of fun, as will Legislature. And PUC is tied to important matters: oil pipelines, transmission lines, net metering, and grain seller regulation. Contrary to DWC's preferred task of diverting our attention to 2014 to keep us from thinking about how bad Kristi Noem is at her job, I prefer to focus on the game that's on right now.
Nick is a great choice and I'm glad we have folks like that ready to serve. Put me down to host a fundraiser!
Sen. Johnson leading debate on "farm" bill:
http://www.johnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=senate-floor