Democratic Main Street HQ Opens for DSU Parade!

The new Lake County Democratic Party Headquarters is open! We kicked off with our grand opening and bake sale yesterday during the Dakota State University "Trojan Days" Homecoming Parade. Headquarters is located on the north 200 block of Egan Avenue, in the old antique/saddle & tack shop. Stop in, pick up some yard signs and campaign literature, and ask what you can do to help Democrats win in November!

Scott Parsley and his mom Mary are all smiles about Scott's District 8 Senate campaign. So is county party chair Joan Stamm, behind them at the table, as more support rolls in!

District 8 House candidate Gerry Lange takes a lunch break after marching the length of Egan Avenue for the Homecoming parade. Lake Herman neighbor and county party treasurer Cory Heidelberger has to hold on tight to keep up with Gerry!

Gerry's partner on the House ticket, Mitch Fargen of Flandreau, loves Madison! He had a great time at the parade, then went knocking on doors—a true campaigner!

Public Utilities Commission candidate Matt McLarty enjoyed meeting lots of Madison voters along the sunny parade route.

We've got 'em on the run! GOP Senate candidate Joel Dykstra takes one look at the Lake County Democrats Headquarters and heads for the hills!

What's GOP Senate candidate Russ Olson thinking? "Dang! I wish the Republicans had nice headquarters like that!"

Upcoming Events

Friday, April 3, 2009
Lake County Democrats monthly meeting, 6 p.m., Nicky's

2008 Election Information

Important Dates

• October 20: Deadline to register to vote in the November 4 general election.
• November 4: Election Day! Get out and vote Dem!

Important Links

• SD Voter Registration
• SD Absentee Voting
• 2008 Election Information

Students: Want a Cool Job? Intern for Stephanie!

Hey, Lake County students! Want to be part of a winning team and get some great work experience and even academic credit to boot? Sign up to be an intern for Stephanie Herseth Sandlin's re-election campaign! The Herseth Sandlin campaign blog says they are taking apps for interns at all three campaign offices (Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, and Rapid City). Check out their blog and the campaign website, then call the campaign and send your app! Here are the contact people:

In Sioux Falls, contact Emily at (605)332-1901
In Rapid City, contact Erin McCarrick at (605)716-3391
In Aberdeen, contact William Anderson at (605)725-2710

Monthly Meetings

Next Meeting: Friday, March 6, 2009

Lake County Democrats monthly meeting:

First Friday of each month
6:00 PM
Nicky's Restaurant
1407 NW 2nd Street
Madison, SD
Click here for map

State Dems Criticize Giuliani

SDDP Chair Jack Billion: Giuliani’s history with Kerik makes him unfit for Presidency

SIOUX FALLS – South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Jack Billion said South Dakota Republicans should be wary of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s ethical scandals and leadership deficiencies before and since 9/11.

The latest scandal embroiling the liberal New York Republican is his refusal to say whether or not, as President, he would pardon his long time friend Bernard Kerik who is facing tax fraud, corruption and conspiracy charges.

Giuliani had recommended Kerik to be National Homeland Security chief, even though Kerik accepted $165,000 in gifts from an alleged mob-linked construction firm while Kerik served as New York City Corrections Department Commission. [New York Times 3/30/07, 7/03/06; Newsday 12/18/04]

Giuliani has not disputed evidence presented to a grand jury that Giuliani was briefed on Kerik’s relationship with the firm before he appointed Kerik to serve as New York City police commissioner. In later campaigning for Kerik to head Homeland Security, Giuliani, who was a mentor to Kerik for many years, personally lobbied President Bush to promote Kerik for the number 1 national security position.

Kerik currently faces tax fraud, corruption and conspiracy charges. Kerik also stirred a scandal when it was revealed he had used an apartment designated for use by Ground Zero rescue workers as a nest for an extramarital affair. [New York Times 11/3/07]

“The culture of corruption in the Bush/Cheney White House has disillusioned many South Dakotans. The last thing voters from either party want is more of the same,” Billion said. “Hopefully, the South Dakota Republican Party will get this message.

“South Dakota Republican Party officials should be cautious when inviting a man of Giuliani’s troubled history to represent their party in our state.”

Poll Discussion: SD Legislative Priorities for 2008

We posed the question in our Crazy Days straw poll; now we'd like to open the discussion up to folks online. Check out the online poll (see the sidebar >>>) and vote for the issues you think should be legislative priorities for our representatives in Pierre in 2008. (You may vote for more than one!) Then add your comments here: tell us why you think we need to focus on the issues you've chosen. All opinions are welcome: just keep it civil and relevant.