The Fulton Fulminator versus the Freeman Farmer: Freeman Democrat Ardon Wek filed his petition Friday to challenge Senator Stace Nelson for the District 19 Senate seat.
Wek announced his candidacy back in January. He acknowledged the big Democratic deficit in District 19—9,091 Republicans versus 4,145 Democrats per this morning’s data—but he’s ready to make the case for some partisan balance in Pierre:
District 19 has many more registered Republicans than Democrats. I understand that running as a Democrat is a heavy lift, but I feel it is important to do. Everybody deserves to have their voice heard. One party does not have all of the answers. Pierre has been under the control of one party for too long. I am running to change that. When one party has that much power for that long, bad things like EB5 and GEARUP happen. I think it’s important to do what I can to bring a little balance back to Pierre [Ardon Wek, campaign announcement, Facebook, 2018.01.20].
Wek briefly sought a District 19 House seat in 2016, but withdrew from the race in July, after the state Democratic convention. While Wek’s campaign was active, SDEA backed Republicans in District 19’s 2016 House primary; we can hope they will again back the Democrat opposing Nelson this fall.
While no doubt Mr. Nelson will bully voters and his primary opponent with lots of loud, empty blustering, at least he cannot bully this Mr. Wek for not being “Republican” enough for Mr. Nelson’s tastes. If you don’t meet Mr. Nelson’s ideals, you are not worthy.
Not true, Grudz, Nelson respects Cory and a lot of other Dems on here. So there…..
Stace understands what a lot of pubs like you don’t, that SD are tired of the old fuddy duddy attitude that everything is okay in Pierre talk.
I heard Nelson the other day on a committee bill fighting for a raise for State Employees. Of course all the pubs were against it, and Daugaard sent his boys in saying there’s no money for raises, they would have to raise taxes. Nelson stood right up and said that’s nonsense, there is no need to raise taxes when there is plenty of money in the general funds.
Sen. Nelson if reelected should bring a bill to make bull elephant droppings the official state feces. His constituents should heartily approve, unless they prefer chicken guano.
Hardy har har har….
Nelson hasn’t had to bully voters in District 19 to mark his name, and I haven’t seen any primary opponent rise up against him this year. Is there one, Grudz, that I’ve missed?
I think that one young fellow you reported on moved because he was bullied, but I don’t know of others, Mr. H. I expect they are all afraid and have no commission on bullying in the legislatures to which they could report it.
Mr. Nelson never pushed for raises for anybody. He’s math impaired and can only cut spending, not increase it.
Not true Grudz, I was surprised myself to hear Stace advocated for State Employees raises. just go to LRC and look up his bill on state salary increases and you will here him on audio advocating for them.
Your crush Novstrup voted against it in committee which isn’t surprising. Stace has a true populist spirit about him which is refreshing in Pierre especially coming from somene that is very conservative.
Nelson will win big!