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Rob Burgess Impeachment Billboard Accuses Legislators of Hiding Something While DILS Hides Funding, Organizational Status

As proof that it is not a real policy “institute” but just a way to funnel dark money into ads for Kristi Noem’s agenda, Rob Burgess’s Dakota Institute for Legislative Solutions has spent its first big money on a billboard campaign to insinuate that legislators from both parties are hiding something and, in notably subordinate position, to call for impeaching killer Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg:

Austin Goss, Tweet, Sioux Falls, SD, 2022.03.12.
Austin Goss, Tweet, Sioux Falls, SD, 2022.03.12.

The “Dakota Institute for Legislative Solutions,” which exists to “generate support for Governor Noem’s agenda,” has sponsored billboards in Sioux Falls calling for the impeachment of South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg.

They’re the latest volley in the ongoing war or words between Governor Kristi Noem and legislators on the committee considering the impeachment of the Attorney General.

It appears the signs target each member of the House Select Committee, like Speaker of the House Spencer Gosch, Rep. Jon Hansen, and Rep. Jamie Smith, who recently announced he is running for governor of South Dakota.

The signs reads “What are they hiding?” and a message urging them to impeach the Attorney General [staff, “Billboards Call for the Impeachment of South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg,” KSFY, 2022.03.12].

The design is puzzling: the billboard buries a faint, cool, monochrome image of Jason Ravnsborg behind its glaring text. The billboard puts the names of individual legislators in larger font than its call to action, and that smaller-fonted call to action does not invoke Ravnsborg’s name, just his office. The marketing ploy here is similar to that if the infamous telemarketing push that Governor Noem appears to have orchestrated back in January: rile voters up, get them to put pressure on legislators to remove this pox from state government. But instead of speculating about secrets that may not exist and casting aspersions on the jury, these billboards could focus on the clear facts of the defendant’s case: Jason Ravnsborg broke the law, killed a man, lied about it, and no longer has the ability or moral authority to carry out the duties of Attorney General.

Besides, asking what secrets members of the impeachment committee might be keeping leads us naturally to wonder what Rob Burgess and DILS are hiding. Burgess is declining to respond to multiple media inquiries about DILS and now this communication about actively campaigning political candidates and officeholders. These critical communications are likely not coordinated with the named political candidates and officeholders.  SDCL 12-27-16 gives DILS 48 hours from the time the billboard went up to file an independent communication expenditure statement with the Secretary of State. No such disclosure has been posted yet to the Secretary of State’s campaign finance website. SDCL 12-27-6.1. Nor does the Secretary of State have any paperwork online that indicates DILS has organized as a political action committee. If DILS is not a PAC, it is an “entity” required by SDCL 12-27-6.1. to list the names of its “Top Five Contributors” on its communication. DILS’s billboard names no one but its political targets.

But hey, DILS says it has $2.3 million to promote the Governor’s agenda. Maybe Rob Burgess is scrimping on his design budget, but surely DILS can afford to buy a couple lawyers to bring the entity/PAC/secret Noem campaign wing into compliance with South Dakota campaign finance law.

17 Comments

  1. Arlo Blundt 2022-03-13 13:34

    Well…this used to be called “dirty politics”….now its the politics of the bible beating right wing. It is still unsavory.

  2. Vi Kingman 2022-03-13 14:46

    Maybe Mr. Burgess should grant an interview. Unless he’s afraid

  3. mike from iowa 2022-03-13 16:20

    OT, waaaay OT… former Potus and last certifiably sane person to occupy WH tested pos for Covid 19.

    Sorry for the interruption.

  4. 96Tears 2022-03-13 16:42

    Questions for Rob Burgess:

    What are KRISTI NOEM and COREY LEWANDOWSKI trying to hide???

    What are KRISTI NOEM and ANGEL KANE trying to hide???

    What are KRISTI NOEM and JONATHON PETREA trying to hide???

    What are KRISTI NOEM and WILLIS JOHNSON trying to hide???

    What are KRISTI NOEM and KASSIDY PETERS trying to hide???

    What are KRISTI NOEM and DLR SEC. MARCIA HULTMAN and CoS MARK MILLER trying to hide???

    What are KRISTI NOEM and DONALD TRUMP trying to hide???

    What are KRISTI NOEM and SDHP COL. RICK MILLER trying to hide???

    What are KRISTI NOEM and DOT SEC. JOEL JUNDT trying to hide???

    What are KRISTI NOEM and PEDRO GONZALEZ trying to hide???

    What are KRISTI NOEM and RACOTA VALLEY RANCH trying to hide???

    What is KRISTI NOEM still trying to hide about the IRS and the Estate Tax back in 1994???

    Just some innocent questions, right Rob? The public needs to know. We’re all just trying to generate support for Kristi’s agenda.

  5. RST Tribal Member 2022-03-13 17:28

    The battle of the witless and lucked out distracted driver is entering yet another new path to the bottom. Both inept, both inbred, both of the power elite in charge of governance and law enforcement in the state of cold stone faces and way to many shooting ranges. Both Republicans. Need there be more to say, other then:
    Sign, sign
    Everywhere she wants, she putting up a sign
    Blockin’ out the scenery
    Breakin’ your mind
    Hide this, don’t do that
    Can’t you read the signs of the time?
    Is there any need for more to be said… sign, sign.

  6. Nick Nemec 2022-03-13 19:50

    Noem is really going over the edge, this doesn’t help the cause of justice. I hope the members of the impeachment committee remain mindful of the issue at hand and can ignore stuff like this, it is static.

  7. Kurt Evans 2022-03-13 21:24

    Nick Nemec writes:

    Noem is really going over the edge, this doesn’t help the cause of justice. I hope the members of the impeachment committee remain mindful of the issue at hand and can ignore stuff like this, it is static.

    Nick and I agree on everything in that comment.

    I still think Joe rushed into the driving lane to commit suicide, which he probably never would have done apart from the effects of the psychotropic drug lorazepam. I believe Jason’s account: that his car was in the driving lane, that he was transitioning out of the reduced-speed zone at the Highmore junction, that he wasn’t reaching for his phone, that he hadn’t even set the cruise control yet, that he looked down at the speedometer, that he heard a sudden bang, and that he struggled desperately to keep the car on the pavement and regain control.

    I still think the collision on the shoulder happened after Joe’s right leg slid off the front of the hood, and I still wonder what evidence supposedly proves there was no prior collision in the driving lane.

    I think Governor Noem, in her heart of hearts, is a genuine pro-liberty Christian, but I don’t think her response to this tragedy has generally advanced liberty or Christianity.

    I think Jason knows most of these things, and I expect him to publicly reiterate them soon. I think the governor’s political career is probably coming to an end, and I think Marty Jackley’s is in serious jeopardy.

  8. 96Tears 2022-03-13 22:05

    Kurt, you are a fool. And I mean that in the biblical sense. I can’t imagine a more mean-spirited and wicked thing to say [and repeat] than the extreme falsehood you intended with saying Joe committed suicide by seeking to dive into Jason Ravnsborg car. Don’t bother apologizing to Joe’s family for your hurtful blasphemy. You cast your lot with Jason Ravnsborg. Now, please shut TF up!

  9. Anne 2022-03-13 22:17

    The reason church membership and religious faith is in decline is because of the kind of presumption and malice in the account to which 96Tears reacts with justified indignation. Its author is not one of the better angels by any means.

  10. All Mammal 2022-03-14 00:31

    Mr. Evans and side kick- tf you say huh. You cross the line from token spazz to making me struggle hard with wanting to show you what real old school bullying is all about.

  11. Cory Allen Heidelberger Post author | 2022-03-14 06:09

    96, you need to rent some space on that digital billboard right alongside Rob B.

  12. M 2022-03-14 07:54

    Hopefully Kurt Evans is not in a legal profession or one with any responsibilities. Keep him away from any youth. Inferential leaps are what lead to all these conspiracy theories that are being accepted by Trumpians and far right Republicans. Repetition is indoctrination, no proof necessary. That’s why Trump and Noem and dangerous people like them start off with “I heard” or “People are saying” etc.

    NOBODY JUMPS INTO A CAR THAT IS VEERING TOWARDS THEM. THE END

    What we need are signs that question why we have different laws/treatment for different people. You know why is my former student in jail for reckless driving and Jason is making lots of our money after killing a man from pure negligence? He should have lost his license years ago for all his infractions and for showing no remorse. He needs treatment or his behavior will not stop. This man is beyond narcistic and of course so is Noem.

    The legislators in Pierre are Key Stone Cops and Noem is orchestrating this cometic opera. In the meantime, Jason is puffing up like a dough boy until his 4 years is finished, then he’ll slither out the back door with full retirement. “People around here are saying” that Jason has something on Noem, and she is doing all of this to drag it out while giving herself the image of “law and order” and at the same time, probably speeding as usual herself.

    SOMEBODY PRINT SIGNS TO IMPEACH JASON AND ILL BUY ONE.

  13. Dana P 2022-03-14 08:09

    Mr Evans, you can ‘believe’ alot of crap, but evidence be damned I guess?

    The evidence of the accident reconstruction (and hey, there are photos!!) clearly show point of impact was NOT in the driving lanes. You can see the tire marks actually on the shoulder of the road. The evidence obtained from Ravnsborg phone clearly showed he was surfing the web when his vehicle drifted over onto the shoulder of the road. Also, evidence shown from the cell phone also showed that he walked by the body of the innocent victim he mowed down. The video taped interviews of Ravnsborg with law enforcement showed he lied to law enforcement. Repeatedly.

    Why are you against facts and holding our officials accountable for the grievous actions?

    But your callous disregard for the victim and the family of the victim tops it all. Disgusting.

  14. mike from iowa 2022-03-14 09:56

    Evans, when my 2 sons were about five years old imprinted on their brains that as kids they were entitled to make mistakes, but were not entitled to repeat them. Just how old are you? Three or four? Keeerist you’re pathetic!

  15. Kurt Evans 2022-03-14 22:15

    Dana P. writes:

    The evidence of the accident reconstruction (and hey, there are photos!!) clearly show point of impact was NOT in the driving lanes. You can see the tire marks actually on the shoulder of the road.

    Even by Craig Price’s account, Jason’s antilock brakes were working flawlessly, and there were no tire marks.

    The evidence obtained from Ravnsborg phone clearly showed he was surfing the web when his vehicle drifted over onto the shoulder of the road.

    Even by Craig Price’s account, Jason’s phone had been locked east of Highmore, and it wasn’t unlocked until he called 911 a few seconds after the crash.

    Also, evidence shown from the cell phone also showed that he walked by the body of the innocent victim he mowed down.

    Even by Craig Price’s account, Joe’s body was off the pavement in the grass, and none of the countless drivers who passed it overnight reported seeing it in their headlights.

    The video taped interviews of Ravnsborg with law enforcement showed he lied to law enforcement. Repeatedly.

    Quote two of Jason’s “repeated” lies.

  16. 96Tears 2022-03-15 00:33

    Motive. Means. Opportunity.

    What are KRISTI NOEM and ROB BURGESS trying to hide???

    The lines are getting clearer and clearer. Liar/ruthless panderer Noem obviously ordered the Ohio phone bank to harass legislators a month ago to give the boot to killer/liar Jason Ravnsborg. Noem obviously ordered Burgess to further harass the legislators with this week’s billboards asking what they’re trying to hide by not hastening the impeachment process.

    MOTIVE: The last thing Noem wants is to see her name on the 2022 ballot along with South Dakota’s second most powerful elected official Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg. That would be political death for Kristi. They are each other’s kryptonite. As soon as Jason’s pals chicken out and let him off the hook on impeachment, the next stop will be the ethics panel. Ravnsborg is going after Noem with a long, sharp knife. Kristi knows this. She will double-down, triple-down, quadruple-down hard to remove Ravnsborg’s authority as A.G.

    MEANS: Look for more dirty tricks from Noem’s camp between now and the SDGOP state convention this summer. She and her inner circle will deny their dirty deeds categorically while they do them in plain view. They sling lies and attacks at reporters like a truck stop short order cook slings eggs and greasy hashbrowns. Noem personally turned over the North Dakota investigators’ interview with Ravnsborg. We know that. She lied about pressuring Sharon Bren out of her job. She lied about abusing the state airplane and our state National Guard for her presidential ambitions. She has shut down legislative oversight and public transparency over her abuse of state money and resources like our state highway patrol to further her national campaign for 2024. As to the link with the Ohio phone bank, its big political operative Jonathan Petrea just told the PRAVDA Leader he knows Burgess: “I know who he is, but I’ve never worked with him or have had any business dealings with him. He and I don’t have any relationship.” (While that statement may be technically true, it doesn’t tell who rented the phone bank, does it? Petrea knows but he ain’t gonna tell the truth.)

    OPPORTUNITY: As Governor, Kristi is using the full force of her office and her campaign(s) to silence critics, punish her enemies and rewrite the story of her grotesque incompetence in office (despite the PRAVDA Leader chief political scribe’s desperate attempt over the weekend to make Noem’s cowardice and neglect in the face of the pandemic appear to have somehow benefited our state). Meanwhile, Ravnsborg is working hard 24/7 dialing up precinct committee members and SDGOP activists to become delegates and help him regain the nomination at this summer’s SDGOP state convention. That’s called retail politics and Ravnsborg ain’t afraid to call and ask favors from the party’s hoy polloi.

    It might be fun to think this bitch fest could be entertaining. It’s not. What it really does is give us all a clear view of how conniving and craven Kristi Noem is. She is dangerous and ruthless. She has zero empathy for others. She is a classic narcissist who doesn’t care who gets thrown under the bus in her crazed fantasy about being presidential material. No Hollywood plastic surgeon can hide that kind of darkness.

    Ravnsborg is a simple-minded punk who is in way, way, way over his head. He knows the dragon lady has a soft spot and he dearly wants his pound of flesh.

    His motive is ugly revenge.

    Hers is extreme fear of the window shutting on her national aspirations and being stuck in a $3 million mansion on that glorified slough we call Capitol Lake, never to return to the power-laced waters of the Potomac River.

  17. Kurt Evans 2022-03-19 21:52

    I’d written:

    I still think Joe rushed into the driving lane to commit suicide, which he probably never would have done apart from the effects of the psychotropic drug lorazepam…

    I still think the collision on the shoulder happened after Joe’s right leg slid off the front of the hood, and I still wonder what evidence supposedly proves there was no prior collision in the driving lane…

    I think the governor’s political career is probably coming to an end, and I think Marty Jackley’s is in serious jeopardy.

    “All Mammal” responds:

    You cross the line from token spazz to making me struggle hard with wanting to show you what real old school bullying is all about.

    Are you a so-called law enforcement officer? You remind me of state “homeland security” director Jon Bierne.

    “M” writes:

    Repetition is indoctrination, no proof necessary.

    I still think the collision on the shoulder happened after Joe’s right leg slid off the front of the hood, and I still wonder what evidence supposedly proves there was no prior collision in the driving lane.

    NOBODY JUMPS INTO A CAR THAT IS VEERING TOWARDS THEM. THE END

    I didn’t say Jason’s car was veering toward Joe.

    “mike from iowa” writes to me:

    Just how old are you? Three or four? … you’re pathetic!

    I know you are, but what am I?

    “96Tears” writes:

    Ravnsborg is a simple-minded punk who is in way, way, way over his head.

    I guess time will tell.

Comments are closed.