A few months ago, the GOP spin machine was dismissing District 19 Senate candidate Russell Graeff as a mere placeholder, not a Democrat who would seriously stand up to Republican nominee and veteran legislator Stace Nelson. Yet Graeff stayed in while ticketmate Ardon Wek bailed from the House race.
The South Dakota Education Association apparently thinks Graeff is more than a placeholder. SDEA, which had no problem giving money to the Republicans against whom Wek was placeholding, has endorsed Graeff and sent him $500 through its political action committee.
Grateful candidate Graeff says in a press release, “I will work very hard and will do everything I can to help teachers, educators, school staff, support professionals, schools, students, parents and communities preserve and continue the excellence in education South Dakota has been known for.”