Lake County (SD) Democrats

$12 for '12: Donate Now!

2010-11-08T21:38:00.005-06:00

Let's build the groundwork now for a successful campaign in 2012. We have local candidates to recruit and train, educational programs to host, speakers to invite... Lots to do! You can help by contributing to our "$12 for '12" Fund.

Give $12 today for victory in 2012. Or go big: schedule a $12 donation each month for 12 months.

Use your credit card to make a quick and easy donation through ActBlue, a secure online political donation service. ActBlue has helped Democrats across South Dakota and across the United States raise money.

$12 for '12: donate today!

Next Meeting, New Facebook Page!

2010-11-04T16:36:00.004-05:00

Hello, fellow Dems! We're meeting Friday night, 6 p.m., at Nicky's to discuss Tuesday's results and look ahead to 2012. Bring your thinking caps!

Also bring your Facebook account: we're adding the big social media! See the new Lake County Democrats (SD) page on Facebook for updates and discussion.

Parsleys Host Heidepriem Viewing Party Thursday Evening

2010-10-05T10:09:00.003-05:00

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Scott Heidepriem will present a half-hour documentary on his life and his campaign for governor Thursday on all of South Dakota's major local television stations. The program airs on our Sioux Fals stations at 6:30 p.m.

We invite all Lake County Democrats and other interested voters to join us for a viewing party at our headquarters, the "Parsley Barn"—also known as Scott and Val Parsley's place at 103 North Liberty Avenue in Madison. We'll provide hot dogs, hamburgers, and lemonade; if you can, please bring a salad or dessert to share with your fellow voters.

Here's a preview of the Heidepriem video:

October Meeting Friday the 1st: Meet Sheriff Candidate Jason Lurz

2010-09-30T16:11:00.002-05:00

Our October meeting happens tomorrow, the 1st of the month, 6 p.m., at Nicky's. This meeting is our last regular meeting before the November 2 election (yup, it's that close!), so we'll have plenty to talk about.

Plus, candidate for Lake County sheriff Jason Lurz plans to drop by to say a few words about why we ought to vote for him. He's a Republican... but then so is everyone else running for sheriff! So come learn about the sheriff's race, and help us plan for victory in November!

Meet the Dems! Lake-Moody Fundraiser August 29

2010-08-16T11:12:00.003-05:00

We Lake County Dems are getting together with our neighbors to host a big "Meet the Candidates" shindig:

When: Sunday, August 29, 5 to 7 p.m.
Where: Jim and Susan Thompson's place, located half-mile west from the I-29 Flandreau exit —Exit 114—on 230th Street.
What's for dinner: Beef! BBQ beef sandwiches, plus a potpourri of salads and bars.
Who'll be there: Lots of Dems, including candidates! We've invited everyone up and down the South Dakota Democratic ticket, including the local candidates for State Legislature and County Commission.
What's the cost: $10 per person, $20 for an entire family. Naturally, you're welcome to drop a few more bills in the bucket to support Democratic victory in November!

For more information, give us a shout!

Joan Stamm, Lake County Dems, 427-9388
Clark Schmidtke, Moody County Dems, 428-4305

Then come enjoy Sunday dinner and conversation on August 29.

Crazy Days 2010 Straw Poll Results

2010-08-01T11:13:00.001-05:00

The Lake County Democrats conducted a straw poll on Madison's Main Street Friday. 48 hardy political souls tossed ballots in the giant mayo jar. Here's how they voted on the U.S. House, South Dakota Governor, District 8 State Senate, and District 8 State House races:

Candidate	number	%
U.S. House
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D)	33	79%
Kristi Noem (R)	8	19%
B. Thomas Marking (I)	1	2%
S.D. Governor
Scott Heidepriem (D)	28	67%
Dennis Daugaard (R)	14	33%
District 8 Senate
Clark Schmidtke, Jr. (I)	19	48%
Russell Olson (R)	21	53%
District 8 House
Mitch Fargen (D)	32	74%
Gerald Lange (D)	27	63%
Patricia Stricherz (R)	3	7%
Jason Bjorklund (I)	10	23%

The participants in the poll identified their political affiliation thus:

Party	number	%
Democrat	23	48%
Republican	10	21%
None	10	21%
Independent	3	6%
Other	2	4%

Crazy Days 2010 Straw Poll: Vote on the Candidates!

2010-07-30T08:37:00.002-05:00

The Lake County Democrats are at Madison's Crazy Days today. We'll be selling baked goods and other treats on the sidewalk on the North 100 block of Egan (check around Radio Shack!).

We'll also be conducting our annual Crazy Days Straw Poll! Folks from all political persuasions are welcome to cast a ballot for their favorite candidates. We're polling the November races for U.S. House, governor, and District 8 Senate and House. Come vote, come chat... and come drop some money in the kitty to help Dems win in November!

On the Street: Majority Favor Public Option for Health Care

2009-07-31T12:09:00.004-05:00

The Lake County Democrats held a fundraiser downtown during Madison's Crazy Days last Friday. While selling yummy homemade bread, bars, and shopping bags (thanks, Bonnie!), we also conducted an opinion poll. With 32 self-selecting respondents, our poll has the statistical significance of the broad side of a barn, but the results are still interesting.

We asked folks to identify their political affiliation (Dem, GOP, Indep, or other). We then asked this simple question:

Do you want Congress to include a public option in its health care legislation?

A few folks asked what we meant by public option, and we explained that it meant the federal government would offer health insurance policies on the market alongside private insurers. You could buy your health coverage from Uncle Sam, DakotaCare, Blue Cross, whichever.

88% of our respondents said yes, they want a public option. Only three people—one Republican, one Independent, one other—said no. Even on Libertarian who dropped by said yes to a public option, as long as it competes on the market with private insurance rather than replacing private insurance.

Congress is working on health care reform right now: see H.R. 3200 for the House version. Read up, decide what you want in health care reform, and then contact your Congresspeople!

Monthly Meetings

2009-07-31T11:46:00.002-05:00

Next Meeting: Friday, April 9, 2010
(moved from April 2 for Good Friday)

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

Upcoming Events

2009-07-31T10:50:00.002-05:00

Friday, April 9, 2010
Lake County Democrats monthly meeting, 6 p.m., Nicky's

Tuesday, June 8
South Dakota Primary Election
Remember: The new open primary allows Independents to vote on the Democratic ballot!

Tuesday, November 2
General Election! Go Dems!

Democratic Main Street HQ Opens for DSU Parade!

2008-09-28T08:31:00.004-05:00

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!"

2008 Election Information

2008-09-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

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

Students: Want a Cool Job? Intern for Stephanie!

2008-07-16T20:56:00.002-05:00

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

State Dems Criticize Giuliani

2007-11-15T09:58:00.000-06:00

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

2007-08-04T08:32:00.000-05:00

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.

What LCDems Are Reading

2007-08-04T08:31:00.001-05:00

GL: 2007 KIDS COUNT Data Book, Annie E. Casey Foundation, released 2007.07.25. Data comparing children's well-being from state to state. Cause for concern: South Dakota dropped in overall ranking from 14th to 30th in this year's survey....

CAH: Wendell Berry, The Unsettling of America, San Francisco: San Francisco Books, 1986 softcover edition.

CAH: Bjørn Lomborg, The Skeptical Environmentalist: Measuring the Real State of the World, Cambridge, UK: University Press, 2001

Fellow Dems, what books are shaping your thinking? Submit your running titles in Comments!

Straw Poll Winners: Hillary, Health Care, Education

2007-07-29T12:46:00.000-05:00

The Lake County Democrats table downtown at Madison Crazy Days on Friday drew lots of visitors. Brownies, bread, and other baked goods sold like crazy. Passersby also filled our Straw Poll ballot jar to the brim!

We welcomed all voters -- Democrats, independents, Republicans, even an avowed Libertarian -- to participate in the straw poll. Voters cast ballots on the following two questions:

Which Democrat will win your vote for President in 2008?
What are the most important issues the South Dakota Legislature should address in its 2008 session?

Here are the results!

Total ballots cast: 68

Presidential Straw Poll (Total Ballots Marked = 63):

Hillary Clinton: 27 votes = 43%
Barack Obama: 15 votes = 24%
John Edwards: 10 votes = 16%
Bill Richardson: 7 votes = 11%
Dennis Kucinich: 4 votes = 6%
Mike Gravel, Chris Dodd, and Joe Biden: 0 votes, 0%

SD Legislative Priorities (Total Ballots Marked = 67)
ranked in order of importance, 1 = most important, 9 = least important:

Health Care (average ranking of 2.6 )
Education (2.8)
Environment (3.4)
Energy (3.9)
Taxes (4.2)
Open Government (4.9)
Economic Development (5.2)
Gambling (6.7)
Abortion (7.5)

Some details on the Legislative Priorities results:

Health care and education were both marked as priorities for the legislature on 57 ballots. Health care was ranked as the #1 issue by 17 voters. Education was ranked as the #1 issue by 16 voters.
Abortion was left blank on 33 ballots, 49% of all cast. On the 33 ballots on which abortion was ranked, 2 voters marked it as their #1 issue. 20 voters ranked abortion #9, behind all other listed issues.
Other issues ranked #1: environment (7 #1 rankings), taxes (6), open government and energy (3 each), gambling and economic development (2 each).
Other issues ranked #9: gambling (4 #9 rankings), taxes and open government (1 each).
Most, but not all, voters ranked all nine listed issues. Some voters ranked only their top 3 or 4 issues; some voters simply marked with Xs the two or three issues they are most concerned about. The averages listed above are based only on numerical rankings given to each issue.
Two voters made a point of ranking abortion lower than #9. Those rankings (15 and 231) have been counted as 9s.

Readers are welcome to review the complete ballot tabulation data online.

LC Dems in the news! Straw Poll coverage by KJAM!

July 23, 2007 YouTube/CNN Debate Transcript

2007-07-24T08:17:00.000-05:00

The Democratic Presidential candidates debated questions submitted via YouTube last night. If you missed it, or if you want to study and cite who really said what, read the complete transcript (Part I and Part II) at CNN.