Senator Greenfield said “Lance is as formidable on the campaign trail as he is in the courtroom. Lance has a record of defeating Democrats.”
The endorsement comes in light of concerns that have been raised within the Republican party over Democrat challenger U.S. Attorney Randy Sieler who recently announced his bid for the position, and is expected to be the Democrat choice for the position in the general election this fall [Lance Russell for Attorney General, campaign press release, received by Dakota Free Press 2018.06 12].
Russell does not mention Tatewin Means, the other announced contender for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General. Means has picked up an endorsement from the influential Sioux Falls AFL-CIO chapter, but as of May 21, Seiler had outraised her 15 to 1. Seiler has reported another $4,500 in contributions since then; Means has reported no additional campaign income.
The Russell campaign follows up today with an endorsement from Fall River County Commissioner Paul Nabholz, who also plays to Seilerphobia by emphasizing Russell’s ability to beat Democrats:
While explaining Senator Russell’s winning record, Commissioner Nabholz recalled that he first met Russell in 2000 when he encouraged the young Lawrence County Deputy State’s Attorney Lance Russell, only a year out of law school at that time, to run for the Fall River and Shannon State’s Attorney position against the Democrat incumbent Pat Ginsbach. Russell won the general election against the Democrat incumbent State’s Attorney Ginsbach by 72% of the vote, and is undefeated as a Republican candidate to date. Nabholz went on to explain that his winning record extended to the courtroom, noting that during Russell’s time as the Fall River and Shannon State’s Attorney, Russell had a jury trial conviction rate of over 70% [Russell campaign, press release, received by DFP 2018.06.13].
We Democrats haven’t even picked our nominee, and we already have Republicans nervous. 2018 is looking up for us Dems!
The choice is clear. Democrat delegates have a responsibility to vote for the best candidate to run in this fall’s general election at this weekends State Democratic Convention. Randy is the most qualified of ALL candidates running for South Dakota’s Attorney General…lead counsel on over 500 Federal felony cases…tried over 70 jury trials…served as State’s Attorney and Deputy State’s Attorney, served as both an assistant US Attorney AND the US attorney. Practiced law not only in Indian Country but at EVERY level within State Government.
See why the Republicans are worried?
South Dakota voters, regardless of party, are going to recognize and vote for the most qualified and the most experienced candidate.
We need the best person for the job, and that person is Randy Seiler.
grudznick
2018-06-13 17:32
Mr. Russell is right that Mr. Seiler would beat him. Republicans will vote for Seiler in droves.
grudznick
2018-06-13 19:48
Did you fellows know that Mr. Russell was sanctioned by the South Dakota Supreme Court for being unethical and corrupt, and that the town of Edgemont, Mr. Russell’s own home town, fired him “for cause” from being their city attorney? That’s aghasting to anybody. Just aghasting.
Debbo
2018-06-13 21:26
I like it when the SDGOP is worried. That’s a very good sign.
grudznick
2018-06-13 21:43
I don’t think they’re worried, Ms. Geelsdottir. I think they’ll probably come out in support of Mr. Seiler, should Mr. Russell come out of the conventions with the nod. Nobody wants a completely incompetent Attorney Generals with many axes to grind and vendettas to settle. Mr. Seiler seems a reasonable fellow. Heck, even Mr. Bjorkman seems to be coming around to a more reasonable approach.
Debbo
2018-06-13 21:53
I dunno Grudz. The GOP had a completely incompetent SOS in Gant and his pal Powers. They’ve voted for a worse than completely incompetent president. I think they’d do the same for AG. It seems to be the SD Republican voters’ thing.
CLCJM
2018-06-14 02:13
So Russell is the best the GOP can do? They’re not only scared, they’re apparently desperate!
Rorschach
2018-06-14 07:21
Russell is right that Seiler is the strongest candidate for AG. The GOP would do best by seeing what’s behind door #3.
Yes, Grudz, I did know that Russell has that censure on his record. (Here’s the SD Supreme Court’s ruling.) To CLCJM’s point, I would say Fitzgerald is the best the GOP can do, and that’s why the GOP is worried, because even Fitzgerald doesn’t combine experience with statewide network and fundraising ability.
Lee Schoenbeck
2018-06-14 19:28
Cory, remember our bet. You guys will blow this yet at your convention 😜
leslie
2018-06-14 20:17
Debbo-shouldn’t u have Grudz’s identity to respond to??
Lee – sound’s like a Trumpian deal. Who’s to know the criteria to win?
Debbo
2018-06-14 20:36
Leslie, are you saying Grudz should divulge his true identity? That would be interesting.
Some people use pseudonyms because they wouldn’t want their friends and family to know what dumb and/or cruel things they say. Others for professional reasons. I understand the latter. If one’s problem is the former– quit being an ass.
I think Grudz leans toward the first group.
grudznick
2018-06-14 20:49
Hi Ms. “leslie”, and Ms. Geelsdottir. Hi, I’m grudznick. It’s nice to meetcha.
Lee, I remember your sage warning. My invitation for you to come down and shoot video of the floor vote and write up the outcome as a special DFP correspondent stands. Be here by 1 p.m. tomorrow!
Do you think Lance Russell’s admission of GOP fear of Seiler will help us Dems focus? Or will we read Russell’s talk as some old Jedi mind trick?
The choice is clear. Democrat delegates have a responsibility to vote for the best candidate to run in this fall’s general election at this weekends State Democratic Convention. Randy is the most qualified of ALL candidates running for South Dakota’s Attorney General…lead counsel on over 500 Federal felony cases…tried over 70 jury trials…served as State’s Attorney and Deputy State’s Attorney, served as both an assistant US Attorney AND the US attorney. Practiced law not only in Indian Country but at EVERY level within State Government.
See why the Republicans are worried?
South Dakota voters, regardless of party, are going to recognize and vote for the most qualified and the most experienced candidate.
We need the best person for the job, and that person is Randy Seiler.
Mr. Russell is right that Mr. Seiler would beat him. Republicans will vote for Seiler in droves.
Did you fellows know that Mr. Russell was sanctioned by the South Dakota Supreme Court for being unethical and corrupt, and that the town of Edgemont, Mr. Russell’s own home town, fired him “for cause” from being their city attorney? That’s aghasting to anybody. Just aghasting.
I like it when the SDGOP is worried. That’s a very good sign.
I don’t think they’re worried, Ms. Geelsdottir. I think they’ll probably come out in support of Mr. Seiler, should Mr. Russell come out of the conventions with the nod. Nobody wants a completely incompetent Attorney Generals with many axes to grind and vendettas to settle. Mr. Seiler seems a reasonable fellow. Heck, even Mr. Bjorkman seems to be coming around to a more reasonable approach.
I dunno Grudz. The GOP had a completely incompetent SOS in Gant and his pal Powers. They’ve voted for a worse than completely incompetent president. I think they’d do the same for AG. It seems to be the SD Republican voters’ thing.
So Russell is the best the GOP can do? They’re not only scared, they’re apparently desperate!
Russell is right that Seiler is the strongest candidate for AG. The GOP would do best by seeing what’s behind door #3.
Yes, Grudz, I did know that Russell has that censure on his record. (Here’s the SD Supreme Court’s ruling.) To CLCJM’s point, I would say Fitzgerald is the best the GOP can do, and that’s why the GOP is worried, because even Fitzgerald doesn’t combine experience with statewide network and fundraising ability.
Cory, remember our bet. You guys will blow this yet at your convention 😜
Debbo-shouldn’t u have Grudz’s identity to respond to??
Lee – sound’s like a Trumpian deal. Who’s to know the criteria to win?
Leslie, are you saying Grudz should divulge his true identity? That would be interesting.
Some people use pseudonyms because they wouldn’t want their friends and family to know what dumb and/or cruel things they say. Others for professional reasons. I understand the latter. If one’s problem is the former– quit being an ass.
I think Grudz leans toward the first group.
Hi Ms. “leslie”, and Ms. Geelsdottir. Hi, I’m grudznick. It’s nice to meetcha.
Lee, I remember your sage warning. My invitation for you to come down and shoot video of the floor vote and write up the outcome as a special DFP correspondent stands. Be here by 1 p.m. tomorrow!
Do you think Lance Russell’s admission of GOP fear of Seiler will help us Dems focus? Or will we read Russell’s talk as some old Jedi mind trick?