Politics

An ice storm that pummeled the state’s largest city qualifies Sioux Falls for federal disaster aid, but not all leaders think the city should accept the money. The discussions happen in light of a devastating tornado in Oklahoma.

Madison Daily Leader publisher Jon Hunter and Sioux Falls Argus Leader reporter and columnist Jonathan Ellis discussed the unexpected candidacy of Rick Weiland for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Tim Johnson and the announcement by former Representative Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin that's she's not a candidate for the seat.

Joining the program this week for the Dakota Political Junkies is Denise Ross, web editor with the Mitchell Daily Republic, and David Montgomery, Sioux Falls Argus Leader political reporter and author of the Political Smokeout blog. Topics included Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin's exclusive interview with KDLT, a possible run for U.S. Senate by Republican State Senator Larry Rhoden and a recall campaign against members of the Rapid City Council.

Jonathan Ellis, reporter and columnist with the Sioux Falls Argus Leader; and Roger Whittle, managing editor of the Watertown Public Opinion, discussed Mike Rounds' fundraising efforts for his U.S. Senate run, possible Republican and Democratic challengers, the grounding of B-1 bombers at Ellsworth Air Force Base because of the sequestration and the 20th anniversary of the death of Governor George Mickelson.

Kevin Woster, reporter and columnist for the Rapid City Journal; and Seth Tupper, editor of the Mitchell Daily Republic, discussed Senator Tim Johnson's announcement that he supports gay marriage, criticism from conservative Republicans of former Governor Mike Rounds' senate candidacy, the "Draft Brendan Johnson" movement and South Dakota's winter storm.

Denise Ross of the Mitchell Daily Republic and David Montgomery of the Sioux Falls Argus Leader talked about the appointment of Lucas Lentsch as the new head of the South Dakota Department of Agriculture.  They also discussed sequester cuts affecting South Dakota, the state's transparency rating and "draft Brendan Johnson" and "draft Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin" movements with respect to the 2014 U.S. Senate race.

At the end of this month, South Dakota’s Secretary of Agriculture is stepping down. Secretary Walt Bones has steered the department for just more than two years. His service ends on April 29, and Governor Dennis Daugaard has appointed Lucas Lentsch as Bones’ successor.

The South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture says he made the decision to step down from his government position when he accepted the appointment in January of 2011.

South Dakotans representing different communities across the state face transportation challenges. They voice their experiences at a U.S. Senate field hearing. Senator Tim Johnson hosted the discussion Thursday in Sioux Falls.

The discussion included testimony from Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff.

University of South Dakota political science professor Mike Card says Senator Tim Johnson still has work to do and will focus on banking, water, veterans issues and health care before leaving office.  Card discussed Johnson's political career on Dakota Midday after Johnson's announcement Tuesday that he will not run for re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2014.

Madison Daily Leader publisher Jon Hunter and Sioux Falls Argus Leader political reporter David Montgomery talked about Senator Tim Johnson's announcement that he will not seek re-election in 2014 among other items. 

The race is wide open for one of South Dakota’s seats in the United States Senate. Tuesday current Senator Tim Johnson announced he won’t run next year for re-election. Johnson isn’t resigning his seat, but he’s also not looking to keep it beyond 2014.

Some call it the worst kept secret in South Dakota politics. Now U.S. Senator Tim Johnson has made it official. He’s not running for another term in Washington.

Jonathan Ellis of the Sioux Falls Argus Leader and Denise Ross of the Mitchell Daily Republic discussed the 2014 U.S. Senate race.  Senator Tim Johnson is expected to announce his plans this month.  Meanwhile, possible candidates for the position are starting to come up in discussion.