The District 33 Senate race should not even be close. Sane, civil, and compassionate Robin Page should be beating the paranoid, xenophobic, and Klannish Republican Senator Phil Jensen by a Daugaard–Hubbel or Jackley-Haber margin. But factor in the power of "R" and the disturbing extent to which South Dakotans share Jensen's unhealthy views, and just the fact that a female Native American Democrat can run a competitive race in the Black Hills.
Contrary to a previous report, Jensen has been able to raise some money for his camapign. Jensen's pre-general campaign finance report shows $3,720 from individual donors (including $200 from District 5 Senator Ried Holien—Schoenbeck! get your caucus in line!), $950 from utilities and the state physical therapists group, $100 from the Pennington County Republican Women, and $3,950 from state and national PACs (including $200 Dan Lederman's Rushmore PAC, which apparently is fine with racism, homophobia, and anti-Muslim bigotry). On top of that $8,720, Jensen has put up $9,083.91 of his own money.
Meanwhile, Page has drawn $2,548 from individual donors, $200 from the local party, $2,700 from South Dakota PACs, and $900 in free labor from Bajun Mavalwalla's Nebula Group. That's still a good chunk less than Jensen has poured into his campaign, but it's enough that Page has been able to mail and knock and get out the word that she is a viable alternative to Jensen.
Page has also benefited from some third-party mailings. One card sent around town reminds voters of Senator Jensen's 2011 effort to legalize the murder of abortion doctors. Jensen's bill provoked nationwide disgust and sent South Dakota Republicans, including Governor Dennis Daugaard, running for cover. The mailer duly reminds voters that Jensen regularly humiliates South Dakota and distracts from bread-and-butter policymaking.
Jensen spins now as he did in 2011 to say his bill didn't say what is said:
“This bill pertained to illegal acts, such as assault or manslaughter,” wrote Jensen, who would only correspond with the Rapid City Journal in writing. “This bill had nothing to do with abortion or abortion doctors because abortion is a legal act. Upon assurance from Attorney General (Marty) Jackley that this protection was already provided for by South Dakota law, I voluntarily withdrew the bill” [Seth Tupper, "Phil Jensen Versus Robin Page for State Senate a Clash of Opposites," Rapid City Journal, 2014.10.31].
Page responds with one of the most grown-up things you'll hear from a candidate:
“I guess I don’t have a problem with it, because I’m sure I’ll be held accountable for the things I say or do, as well,” Page said. “That’s just part of the job” [Tupper, 2014.10.31].
Robin Page won't have to make excuses for her bills; because she won't propose stupid, hateful, dangerous bills. District 33, put Phil Jensen out of our misery. Vote for Robin Page today!
"$100 from the Pennington County Republican Women"
Which goes to show that the Page campaign is all about promoting Neo-Marxist lies.
Steve S., thank you for the laugh. I can always count on you to give me a reason to chuckle, and so early in the day too.
Robin Page is a bright shining star of this election season. I wish her the best of luck. I wish I could vote for her.
Me too, Nick. She's right next door. I'm in 34. Maybe I should have rented an apartment in North Rapid for a day or so. Or used a District 33 PO Box for my voting address. I did bullet vote for the Dem house candidate in my district though. So we have that goin' for us. ;-)
Today is an important day when Republicans get to show if they do, or do not, support a man who promotes hatred, racism and discrimination. I believe there will be enough Republicans, with integrity, to cross over and vote for a Democrat...After all, no one will know who you really vote for.
Robin has run a true stand up campaign, she deserves to represent District 33, I wish her only the best tonight.
Robin win or lose Thank-you for caring
I did.