Governing calls our gubernatorial race “surprisingly competitive” (and no one appears to be more surprised than lazy Kristi Noem, who slacked off this summer in apparent expectation of a Republican coronation), but they’re not seeing downticket coattails yet, at least not in the Secretary of State’s race:
The GOP chose State Auditor Steve Barnett as its nominee at the state party convention in June. Despite a surprisingly competitive gubernatorial race, Barnett should win his race handily against rancher Alexandra Frederick in this Republican state [Louis Jacobson, “Democrats Maintain the Edge in Secretary of State Races,” Governing, 2018.10.12].
Barnett the establishment insider leading over newcomer outsider and rancher Alexandra Frederick? Hmm… maybe we should get more media observers to repeat those credentials for the voters. Insider vs. outsider, insider vs. outsider….
Is Barnett a ‘legacy’ governmental employee from ‘that’ Barnett family?
If SD elects Barnett they’ll sure be missing out. Ms. Frederick is smart, thoughtful, engaging, creative and knows just what to do to make the SOS office more effective and transparent. Moreover, she wouldn’t even flinch when Dan Lederman screamed, JUMP!!
Those are reasons why the SDGOP really, really doesn’t want Ms. Frederick, and reasons why SD really, really does need Alexandra Frederick for their next Secretary of State.
Gov. Sutton will have looooooong coattails when he runs for reelection in 2022.
Mike, yup. All related.
Debbo, you identify one good reason to vote for every Democrat on the ticket: independence from the status quo.
I’m not measuring any coattails until I see some coattails this year. That prospect is open for debate.