RC Weekly News - Adelstein may run as a Democrat
Stan Adelstein may get another shot at Elli Schwiesow.
The Republican state senator was defeated by Schwiesow in the June 6 primary, but he is now considering switching parties and running in the Nov. 7 general election as a Democrat. For that to happen, Tom Katus, the Democratic nominee for state Senate District 32, would have to step aside.
Katus said Monday he would do so if a poll shows Adelstein has a better chance of winning.
“Whoever is the stronger candidate,” Katus said. “I would clearly support whichever of us has the better chance of winning.”
The RMA Research polling firm of Sioux Falls is conducting a poll in District 32 right now to determine which candidate would run stronger, Katus said. An answer should be reached within the next few days.
If it’s Adelstein, the state Democratic Central Committee would have to accept Katus’ resignation as a candidate and ask other candidates to step forward. Adelstein could then have the spot if he so chose. Other candidates could apply.
“I’m willing to gracefully accept him into the party and support him,” Katus said.
He said the deadline to switch candidates is Aug. 5. Adelstein cannot run as an independent; the filing deadline for that was June 6.
Adelstein narrowly lost to Schwiesow in the primary; he had defeated her in a close match in 2004. He was one of several moderate Republicans to go down in defeat in the 2006 primary.
One of them, state Sen. Clarence Kooistra of Garretson, switched his registration to Democrat last week.
Read it all here. This would be marginally interesting, as it would virtually guarantee that if he possibly could make it back in, Stan would actually become more of a political pariah, and even more ineffective than he is now. And as opposed to being a political money candyman marginally in demand, it would ensure his funding would be even more of a poison than it was during this past primary.
And more so than anything, this type of party jumping would once again confirm that it's not about leadership - it's about narcissism.
Comments
ie. Stan can only run for the Senate if Elli is off the ballot and then the GOP puts him on in her place. I believe he is prohibited from otherwise running for the Senate. The Dems or others could put him on the ballot as a replacement for the House but not the Senate.
Make sure and put PP's words in context. He's a political junkie by way of being a flunkie. Sure, he does grunt work for candidates, and that wins him some favor. But, its hard to believe he has any kind of insight into our system, given his staunch backing of the conservative message.
He's just a mouthpiece. He has time to devote to a blog, so he does. People feed him information so he can put it up on here, and he does.
He's only a pawn in their game - he's not a player.
Anon 6:50 - I know and enjoy the friendship of many moderate Republicans. I don't always agree with them, and I'm not afraid to express that opinion. (That's why it's called debate). I think the GOP is richer for their presence.
In this instance, the liberal Republican (there's no moderation here) lost when the peope made their choice. Now he's utterly abandoning the GOP because it stands in the way of his continued power. That's not statesmenship. It's just plain old fashioned greed and coveting power.
And anon 6:59 - Neverminding the fact I've been involved at all levels in SD for now 18 years running, and I am a mouthpiece for no one.
I just happen to lean conservative because I've been in business for myself at times, as well as the fact I'm trying to raise a family. Those things alone demand a conservative view of government.
And if people were feeding me stuff, you'd think I'd make more money off of this.
I'm at the point in my life where whatever I do is on MY terms.
Can someone who has to post anonymously say the same?
Actually, this scenario as Stan is trying to do is a legal loophole which works, as long as he can get the Democrats go along with it.
Used to be, he could have ran for the House as an independent, but the filing deadline was moved back.
As for him and Kooistra who switched parties, that's their right too. Maybe their philosophy is just more Democrat than Republican; maybe it's changed over time. I grew up Democrat but am now Republican; it happens. The Dems didn't kick me out. I chose to register with the party that most reflects my thinking, as did they. Get it, it's THEIR decision. The GOP didn't kick them out.
But I do think it's low down politics to make the declared candidate step aside so that the sore loser can take another run at the same seat. It shows the type of person Stan really is, and it's NOT outSTANding.
And I too have been and am in business for myself and am raising a family. Seems the "natural" choice for me is to be a Democrat. That's the great thing about democracy though: different paths to the same goals.
And to those on my side who consider you a "hack," I disagree. You are pretty darn independent (particularly for a Republican in this state: I fear for your safety at times (grin)!) but you obviously support your own team. Nothing wrong with that either. But you're nobody's pawn. Wrong at times, but no flunky. (grin)
The game is afoot! Keep blogging and we'll keep reading.
Todd
1)everybody in the mainstream coalition;
2)the 45+% of Republican primary voters who chose moderates over conservatives;
3)all those independents that you consider too wishy washy to commit to the GOP hardline radical agenda;
4)all the voters who believe that 13 year olds shouldn't be having their rapist's baby;
5)the 60% of voters who think that George Bush has done a lowsy job running the country into the ground;
6)the 70% of voters who believe that the GOP congress has ADD - spending wildly, working 3 days/week, forgetting the big picture and getting constantly sidetracked on things like Terri Schiavo, movie ratings, baseball.
GOP, Who's that leave you?
You lost the election. Get over it. Move on. Let it go. It's over. Shut the light off on the way out.
How do you get the message across to him. It is a simple concept. It's called losing an election. Exactly half of everyone who runs loses. They all got it, why can't he?
Primary versus general. Different elections. Different voters. Learn about it. It's a pretty important concept.
You got what you wanted. Stan's leaving the Republican party. Or did you want him to go away? It's called free speech and free association. Learn about it. Another pretty important concept. You can't make someone go away just because you don't like him.
Let's see if the second time is the charm for the Stan man.
Yes you can make someone go away if you don't like them. We just did it. Thanks.
No bylaws prevented her, but the Chairman or the Governor should have.
It should be the goal of the Exec board to get Republicans elected, not run against them. I can't see how the party leadership loses sight of this. Love him or hate him, Stan wore the "R" and gave alot of his money to others that did. And the Party chose to throw it all in his face.
It would serve us as Republicans right to lose a seat in the heart of Republican Rapid City just to wake up the leadership of this party.
Time to take a close look at your house Mr. Frederick.
I'm currently allowing anonymous posting, and there's tons of latitude as to what's permitted. But posting as someone you're not will not be allowed.
Be nice, so you don't spoil the playground for everyone.
Besides, no one who read what I posted would have believed Lee to be the poster. See Flint v. Falwell.