In an unsurprising move, the newly formed Conservative Republican Caucus has endorsed Lance Russell for Attorney General. Senator Russell (R-30/Hot Springs) is one of only eight Senators qualified for membership in the CRC with his better-than-60% score on the Citizens for Liberty 2018 Conservative Scorecard. Senator Russell is also a friend and regular voting ally of CRC co-founder Senator Stace Nelson (R-19/Fulton). Nelson joins CRC members Caucus members Sen. Phil Jensen and Reps. Liz May, Sam Marty, Steve Livermont, Tim Goodwin, Drew Dennert, Dan Kaiser, Tom Pischke, Lynne Hix-DiSanto, Julie Frye-Mueller, and Chip Campbell.
The CRC also mentions the personal, non-caucus endorsements of Senators Ryan Maher and Brock Greenfield. Maher can’t join the caucus because his CfL score was only 54.3%. Greenfield could qualify for the CRC with 65.3%, but the CRC may hold him at arm’s length due to his astonishingly liberal score of 11.54% on the CfL fiscal conservatism scorecard.
Russell has declared his intent to seek the nomination for Attorney General at the Republican convention in Pierre this Saturday. For delegates to legally nominate him, Russell must withdraw from the District 30 Senate race by Friday afternoon. John Fitzgerald and Jason Ravnsborg are also contending for that nomination.
Have you heard, Cory? Does Russell plan to observe the legalities of withdrawal, or does he think he can weasel a way around them? If it’s the latter, that carries with it a certain, blatant irony, considering the position.
At this stage, SOS Krebs’ ruling prevails unless challenged in court. That means Lance must withdraw from Dist 30 Sen race in order to be nominated at convention. If he fails to capture the AG nomination, it appears he could still reclaim his Dist 30 nomination if chosen by the committee who will make that decision.
Russell signaled in the SDPB interview last week he will withdraw if he thinks he has a good shot at winning the nomination, with no apparent weaseling. I would suggest he withdraw now, to send a message to the other contenders that he is confident that he has a majority of the delegates.
Yes Republican party, please nominate baggage boy for AG.