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Pat Miller Announces; GOP Says Heave Ho, Shantel Krebs!

I'll say this for South Dakota Republicans: they can be pretty clever. First they get Senator Shantel Krebs to do their dirty work and pressure Secretary of State Jason Gant not to run for re-election. Krebs is so sure this work earns her the nomination for Secretary of State that she leaves her Senate seat open for young CPAC-hypnotizing Jenna Haggar.

Then, as a thank you, they tell Krebs, "Sit down. We're nominating Pat Miller."

Many Republicans statewide had encouraged Miller to run, and offered their support. Former State GOP Vice Chair, and sister to Governor George S. Mickelson, Patricia Adam noted “Over the years I’ve known Pat in many different capacities; with Easter Seals South Dakota and the South Dakota Historical Society Foundation. Under her leadership and executive management, these non-profits became strong and financially sound organizations. As life-long Republicans, my husband and I have supported the Republican Party and Republican candidates for many years. Pat Miller has the proven experience needed as the state’s chief elections officer.”

“Pat Miller for Secretary of State? Excellent Idea! Excellent Choice!” noted former Secretary of State Joyce Hazeltine and her husband Dave. “We have known Pat for a lifetime and believe she is the right person for the position of Secretary of State! Her many years of political and business experience will be a great asset for the Secretary of State’s office” [Pat Miller, press release, 2014.04.03].

If I were Krebs, I'd feel a bit put out. Leading voices of the party appear to be boxing her out in favor of a stronger, more experienced candidate.

Now, I wonder if Pat and Jason are having any differences of opinion as they review the Bosworth petitions....

16 Comments

  1. Wayne Pauli 2014.04.04

    You just can not make this stuff up. The GOP is like that crazy branch of the family tree that you hope do not show up for the family reunion...but always does...

  2. Rorschach 2014.04.04

    It was supposed to be easy? Funny thing happened on the way to the coronation. Shantel is going to have to dig in and fight for delegates.

  3. Tim 2014.04.04

    Ah, the rough and tumble of SD politics.

  4. Mike B 2014.04.04

    The good thing in all of this is that more women will be in office. Shantel will be back doing something else if she does not get the nomination.

  5. Jim 2014.04.04

    The question is, do we want someone that looks good, or knows how the office works?

  6. Nick Nemec 2014.04.04

    Nail on the head Jim. The Ice Queen is frozen out.

  7. Rorschach 2014.04.04

    What does Noem have to do with this, Nick?

  8. Nick Nemec 2014.04.04

    Must be two Ice Queens. Competing fiefdoms.

  9. Les 2014.04.04

    I thought Shantel was a good Senator until she took the misinformation from the governor in 09 on the budget hook line and sinker inspite of the truth being offered. She went along with the many that said, "it's not right but we have the authority to do this" in pulling fund specific money and sending it to the Governors pet project.
    .
    Though Gov DD did the same, he is starting to put those dollars back, kudos for the attempt to regain responsible governance.
    .
    Pat Miller is a sound choice over Krebs, any day of the week whether you like the appearance of the process or not.

  10. Douglas Wiken 2014.04.04

    Both however are Republicans. That is the real problem.

  11. Les 2014.04.04

    The only good Republican is a dead Republican Doug? Seems like I've heard that before...wasn't Oprah. She said they're just gonna have to die.

  12. Douglas Wiken 2014.04.04

    Republicans are good as a contrast with reality.

  13. rick 2014.04.04

    Classic showdown between the Jim Abdnor/Walt Miller wing of the GOP versus the ... er, um, Mitch/Shantel Krebs wing of the state Republican Party. Oh. Wow.

  14. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.04.04

    Mike, there'd be even more women in politics if Pat and Shantel ran for different offices against men!

  15. Les 2014.04.05

    ""Republicans are good as a contrast with reality.""
    .
    Whose reality should I contrast them to Doug? Yours or Rogers as two Dems who come to mind?

  16. Roger Cornelius 2014.04.05

    Thanks for shout out Les

Comments are closed.