Some friend or friends of Steve Jarding have been promoting the idea of putting the South Dakota Democrat and Harvard public policy professor on the ballot. "He has expressed interest in running, now we just need him to say, 'I'm in!'"
But the question of "in for what?" becomes all the more interesting now that Democrats have declared candidates for all three top-tier statewide races. Democrat Rick Weiland is burning up shoe leather visiting every town in South Dakota (Plankinton, Broadland, Hitchcock, Tulare, Orient... he's already two thirds of the way through that tour) in his serious Senate campaign. Democrat Corinna Robinson is assembling troops for her campaign against Congresswoman Kristi Noem. And now we have former State Fire Chief Joe Lowe running to put out Dennis Daugaard's fire.
So what does Steve Jarding do? Does he review these three Democrats, find one Dem wanting (or one Republican too tempting a target), and give us Dems the thrill of a primary? Does he turn his fiery political skills against a worthy target further down the ballot (hmm... Marty Jackley could use some heat... but does an attorney general candidate have to have a law degree?)? Or does he tell his Facebook friends to step away from the mic while he goes to work behind the scenes, where he's proven himself in past elections, to help all three top-tier Dems wage war on SDGOP corruption and incompetence?
Told he wants to run for Congress but is waiting for things with Rounds to sort out, and see what all occurs. Also wouldn't be surprised if he ran for Secretary of State.
Time is running out for Steve.
My guess is if he is in he will get in before Christmas, my guess is he runs for Congress
Perhaps this Mr. Jarding would be a good State Secretary. The job might be up for grabs and he seems a roll-up-your-sleeves sort of fellow. We need that sort of fellow. If he runs as an independent he probably would win.
The only person who boosted a Jarding candidacy was Steve Jarding, and now that credible people have announced, he's off the hook. Do not stare too long into that well. It was never deep.
So is Jarding just whistling, Rick? Is it just sort of a larkish, "if no one else wants to, why not" offer? Or is there some serious objective?
Sleaze:
"Partners from across South Dakota have stepped forward to “buy a day” of operation of the monument. In addition to the Board, days will be supported by Mount Rushmore Society, Rapid City CVB / BID Board, Wall Drug, Neiman Enterprises Inc., J. Scull Construction Service Inc., West River Foundation, ISIS Hospitality, Lawrence & Schiller, Lantis Enterprises Inc., MDU Resources, First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard, Avera Health, Sanford Health, Xanterra Parks and Resorts Inc., Don “Nick” and Carolyn Clifford, and one anonymous donor."
http://dakotawarcollege.com/tag/dennis-daugaard/page/2/
Steve wants the party to grow, and he wants to be behind it. I wouldn't be surprised if he still decided to run for Congress, I thought the Governor part was if no one ran he'd throw his hat in the ring, because he doesn't like Daugaard.
The Democrats of South Dakota have a far superior ticket with Weiland, Robinson and Lowe than anybody would have anticipated a year ago. These are supremely superior people than clutching to desperation candidates.
Cory and Madville Times were given some love this morning on KSFY
http://www.ksfy.com/story/24107769/lowe-to-run-for-governor-as-democrat
I love Cory's work here at Madville Times. This blog has come a long, long distance over the years to becoming the most important news source for politics in South Dakota. The sad part of this is newspapers and broadcast news, which have their own rich heritage in South Dakota, play a very distant second fiddle to breaking news on blogs. The sole exception is Bob Mercer who isn't a slacker on digging into news stories for details and the truth behind events.
Thanks, Rick and Owen! Now KSFY, how about including a hyperlink? :-)
So Joe, given that goal of growing the party, what's the next best step? Run a rock'em-sock'em primary challenge to get people interested, or take an unfilled slot on the ballot?
I was wondering what was going on with the Robinson campaign. I've heard very little since that awkward announcement/non-announcement on Veterans Day. Am I missing something?
You're missing the same stuff I am, Phil. Her online presence remains very thin, with no policy statements and little attention to folks posting questions on her Facebook page. But she has gotten out to Dem functions in Brown and Turner counties. She has time, as long as she's filling the quiet time with phone calls galore to potential donors.
The last I heard, Ms Robinson has been moving to her new digs in Rapid City and out fundraising with meet and greets. I think she is probably wise in doing that as the political season has gotten way too long and she has ample time to make her points as the election is over 11 months away.
You're right Lanny: moving does take time! I hope Robinson gets settled in soon and can spend even more time tracking down donors and posting statements.
You're also right that the political season is too long for most voters, who still aren't paying much attention. Remind me to stick with Noem's entry date of late February.