EMAIL NOW: New Ideas Make South Dakota Stronger

Fear of change propels a bill that limits the role of precinct committee people through the Senate. EMAIL the House State Affairs Committee TODAY and ask them to SUPPORT NEW IDEAS and KILL SB40.

There is a lot of anxiety as the bill that limits the role of precinct committee people, SB40, moves to the House State Affairs Committee tomorrow (3/1).

Some of those in power dream of a day when they are free from the aggravating political newbies who add unpredictability to their plans. And average, everyday citizens who serve as precinct committee people worry that they will lose their voice in the political process.

“Throughout history, people with new ideas—who think differently and try to change things—have always been called troublemakers.” ― Richelle Mead, Shadow Kiss

Change has always been met with resistance whether it was the American Revolution, the Summer of Love protests in the 1960s, or the transition from the mainframe to the personal computer. Newbies force the establishment to consider new directions and to embrace change. No matter how aggravating they are, precinct committee people keep the Republican Party grounded and connected to the “real” South Dakota.

Interestingly, Arizona passed a version of SB40 in March 2022. The precinct committee people were furious. In November of 2022, the Republicans lost all the offices in that state. We don’t need a Democrat takeover in South Dakota.

As a result, it would be a huge mistake for us to let this type of legislation make it through the House.

Make sure you reach out to the members of the House State Affairs Committee (Hugh.Bartels@sdlegislature.gov, Rocky.Blare@sdlegislature.gov, Gary.Cammack@sdlegislature.gov, Kirk.Chaffee@sdlegislature.gov, Roger.Chase@sdlegislature.gov, Becky.Drury@sdlegislature.gov, Jon.Hansen@sdlegislature.gov, Erin.Healy@sdlegislature.gov, Oren.Lesmeister@sdlegislature.gov, Will.Mortenson@sdlegislature.gov, Taylor.Rehfeldt@sdlegislature.gov, Rebecca.Reimer@sdlegislature.gov, James.Wangsness@sdlegislature.gov) and encourage them to kill this anti-change bill so it doesn’t reach the House floor.

There are 14 Republican (and one Democrat) Senators who appear to EMBRACE CHANGE (voted against SB40).

Sen. Arch Beal (Sioux Falls)
Sen. Jessica Castleberry (Rapid City)
Sen. Red Dawn Foster - Democrat (Pine Ridge)
Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller (Rapid City)
Sen. Brent Hoffman (Sioux Falls)
Sen. Jean Hunhoff (Yankton)
Sen. Joshua Klumb (Mitchell)
Sen. Jack Kolbeck (Sioux Falls)
Sen. Steve Kolbeck (Sioux Falls)
Sen. Jim Mehlhaff (Pierre)
Sen. Al Novstrup (Aberdeen)
Sen. Tom Pischke (Dell Rapids)
Sen. Jim Stalzer (Sioux Falls)
Sen. Erin Tobin (Winner)
Sen. David Wheeler (Huron)
Sen. John Wiik (Big Stone City)

If you want to know which Republicans appear to be FEARFUL OF NEW IDEAS (voted for SB40), here’s the list.

Sen. Jim Bolin (Canton)
Sen. Bryan Breitling (Miller)
Sen. Casey Crabtree (Madison)
Sen. Sydney Davis (Burbank)
Sen. Randy Deibert (Spearfish)
Sen. Michael Deidrich (Rapid City)
Sen. Helene Duhamel (Rapid City)
Sen. David Johnson (Rapid City)
Sen. Ryan Maher (Isabel)
Sen. Herman Otten (Tea)
Sen. Tim Reed (Brookings)
Sen. Michael Rohl (Aberdeen)
Sen. Lee Schoenbeck (Watertown)
Sen. Kyle Schoenfish (Scotland)
Sen. Dean Wink (Howes)

Sen. Larry Zikmund (Sioux Falls) did not vote