Last updated on 2018-08-04
Senator Ryan Maher (R-28/Isabel) told The Economist last February that his colleague and fellow cowboy Senator Billie Sutton (D-21/Burke) would give Republicans “the biggest challenge they’ve had in 30 years… if he can just get the state party to lay [sic] low.” Maher is now helping Sutton make that challenge. The Sutton campaign is hosting a supper and fundraiser tonight in Eagle Butte at Landmark Hall (brisket! cowboy beans! potato salad! strawberry pretzel dessert… which seems a mean thing to do to strawberries), and according to an ad in the West River Eagle posted by the SDGOP spin blog, Ryan Maher and some relatives are among the thirty-plus listed hosts.
“That might cause some awkwardness in the halls of the Capitol this next January after Governor Kristi Noem is sworn in,” SDGOP spinster Pat Powers presumptuously posts. No more, I would suggest, than it was when Sutton donated $200 to Maher’s 2016 campaign, or when Sutton scored more conservative on the Citizens for Liberty 2018 scorecard than Maher.
Independent voters will want to watch for sitting Democratic legislators hosting fundraisers for Kristi Noem. The likely tally—zero—should demonstrate that Billie Sutton can deliver on his talk of not caring about party labels and of being able to work with both sides of the aisle to get things done for South Dakota. The only awkwardness in January will be at the Noem estate on Highway 81, where Kristi Noem will be swearing in her coffee while Governor Sutton starts working with party leaders from both sides to pass good legislation for South Dakota.
Update 2018.08.03 12:25 CDT: In the interest of truth in advertising, we should note that Pat Powers cut the West River Eagle ad to leave off over two thirds of the sponsors of Sutton’s Eagle Butte event.
With that many people among his constituents supporting Billie Sutton, Senator Maher shouldn’t feel awkward at all co-hosting for his Democratic colleague.
I haven’t voted for a Democrat for Governor….. ever. Come November, Billie has my vote. I can’t wait to see how this one turns out.
Same here Jimmy. I know many other Republicans who are going to as well. We need more moderates like Billie who will work across the aisle. One party rule in SD has simply bred corruption and no accountability. Even after all the thefts, protections have not been put in place to stop it. It will just keep happening.
According to Ballotpedia, Maher served as a Democrat from 2006-2010.
I respect Ryan for supporting a friend and don’t begrudge him his association with the predominantly Democrat Cowboy caucus, or his support of Democrat Senator Billie Sutton. My problem is with the hypocritical edict he allowed his name to be affixed to. By the letter he sent out, he is banned from the Republican Party Senate caucus. Fortunately for him, by GOP enacted rules (Roberts Rules of Order), the caucuses explicitly do NOT have the authority to kick any Duly elected Republican legislator from the Republican Caucuses. That does not protect him from any complaints of misconduct made to a full meeting of GOP delegates. Such a complaint requires an impartial investigation and a full trial.
I’m surprised Mr. Nelson wasn’t one of the hosts, given his tight partnerships with the Democrats to work against Republicans.
Yes he did, Rebecca. He registered GOP when he turned 18, switched to Dem to vote for his dad in the 2004 primary, ran as a Dem at his dad’s request in 2006, beat scuzzy Republican Ted Klaudt, then switched back to GOP in 2010. He has mingled with ALEC.
I have a question for Mr. Nelson. Are you telling us that a person elected to the South Dakota Senate and takes the oath administered has to abide by rules/laws created solely by Republicans? I was under the delusion that every person in a district is represented by the senator or representative, not just the ones who voted for him/her.
@”Grudznick” grow a set and crawl out from under your slimy rock and post your insults under your identity, coward. Your BS is rejected by factual voting records and an examination of them: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-LQbUgbRK4SUeoe3AISMqOomB8eo6Vpa
@Francis I’ve never told you such nonsense; however, parties have a right to expect those who run under their banner and receive their support to support their platforms. They also have a right to expect them to obey the rules they adopt as a party. Roberts Rules of Order are adopted by the RNC, and subserviently by the SDGOP in regards to The rights and obligations of Republicans. In the official Republican caucuses, Republicans are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with those rules and the platform of the GOP. Masons Rules of Legislative Procedures and the rules adopted by the legislature dictate how legislators are to act overall in the Legislature. The latter override the former.
I drove to Denver and back this week and saw one Bjorkman sign, 4 Noem signs, and no Billie signs. Let’s get ‘um out there folks. We need to win this for Billie, Tim, Randy and the Fredericks!!!!! Thank you Republicans for your vote. The full list thus far:
Lieutenant Governor – Michelle Lavallee of Sioux Falls
Attorney General – Randy Seiler of Fort Pierre
Secretary of State – Alexandra (Alex) Frederick of Winner
Public Utilities Commissioner – Wayne Frederick of Winner
State Auditor – Tom Cool of Sioux Falls
State Treasurer – Aaron Matson of Sioux Falls
Commissioner of School and Public Lands – Woodrow (Woody) Houser of Beresford
Stace, you are irascable, and that ain’t a compliment. As much as Grudz annoys me, it is none of your business who he is. People exposing themselves on the wild wild west of the internet soon regret it. Puffed up blow hard know it alls just bitch. You hurt yourself as a politician every time you post. Just like Trump’s tweets.
Stace,
My apologizes. I misinterpreted your post about Ryan Maher, the part toward the end about an investigation and trial. I thought that meant the Republican caucus did the investigation and trial. Who is it that does this investigation and trial? What legal entity is the Republican party? Thanks for helping me to understand your point.
Mr. Nelson writes:
Could you photoshop a pair in like you did on your elephant logo for your Insaner Clown Caucus?
Bah Zing Mr. grudznick, so early in the morning as well. Amazing what a good breakfast will supply in the comeback department.
@Leslie Yes, I should be like all the rest and hide from the public and never answer them. You are welcome to the “Grudznick” caricature. You clearly identify with its establishment GOP corrupt politics and its cowardly comments, from the shadows.
@Francis By the Roberts Rules of Order that were adopted by the GOP, formal
charges need to be made to the entity’s full governing body, and impartial investigation conducted, and then a “trial” with the full governing body required to vote on the results. There has been repeated cases of individuals highjacking due process rights of individuals and issuing edicts they did not have the authority to assume.
@”Grudznick” Photoshop can’t do such a miracle for you..
@Jerry It’s a telling study to see a rabid Leftist like you teamed up with your establishment GOP kissing cousin “Grudznick..” The old birds of a feather adage proven in simple blog interactions 🐣🐥