For Republicans, it's about leadership. And that's why our legislators are in the process of choosing theirs

This weekend (or shortly before) the incoming members of the Republican House Caucus met and chose their legislative leaders for the next term of office.

Tom Deadrick is coming back as the new Speaker of the South Dakota House, and assisting him will be Tim Rave, who moves up from his position as Republican House Whip over the past two years.

House Majority Leader Larry Rhoden returns with Assistant Majority Leader Joel Dykstra.

And there is a brand new slate of House Majority Whips in 2007. All second term elected officals, coming in as whips are Tom Brunner, Shantel Krebs, Bob Faehn, and Chuck Turbiville.

Given the large turnover at the top for Republicans in the Senate, they're holding off on their elections for a while. But in the hunt are Dave Knudson, and Kenny McNenny for Majority Leader.

Jim Lintz's name is mentioned for whip, and I have heard Tom Dempster's name for President Pro Tem. Orv Smidt has sent out a letter noting his interest in the same position. I've also heard that another one or two may be in the hunt, but nothing is set yet.

Stay tuned.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I've heard Bob Gray, Knudson, and McNenny for majority leader, and Apa, Dempster, and Orv Smidt for pro tem.
PP said…
I don't have confirmation on Apa, but I heard from a legislator that Bob is out.
Anonymous said…
God help us with Dempster or Knudson. They will find anyway possible to sell out to the democrats in the interests of comprimise.

We need a senate president pro tem and majority leader with solid conservative credentials in the mold of Reagan.

Let's not let recent history repeat itself in the SD state senate.

Orv Schmidt is also unnaceptable. He's one of these guys who doesn't even believe in organized doorknocking for legislative races. We don't a guy in leadership who recognize the need to connect with the public he represents. The Brookings County Party became a shambles underneath him and it took Jackie D. to put all the pieces back together up there.
Anonymous said…
God help us with Dempster or Knudson. They will find anyway possible to sell out to the democrats in the interests of comprimise.

We need a senate president pro tem and majority leader with solid conservative credentials in the mold of Reagan.

Let's not let recent history repeat itself in the SD state senate.

Orv Schmidt is also unnaceptable. He's one of these guys who doesn't even believe in organized doorknocking for legislative races. We don't a guy in leadership who recognize the need to connect with the public he represents. The Brookings County Party became a shambles underneath him and it took Jackie D. to put all the pieces back together up there.
Anonymous said…
Brunner and Lintz in a leadership role? Maybe their legislative districts will finally witness the incompetency of these two boobs.
Anonymous said…
No one has voted on Lintz yet, but Brunner was selected because of who he is and how he stands on the issues. The folks in Lintz's district knew exactly what he stands for when they voted him in and I suspect that the senate will look on him with favor also.
Anonymous said…
How does Brunner stand on property rights issues? I heard he did some mind changing on some important issues form one session to the next.
Anonymous said…
Tom Brunner and Chuck Turbiville in leadership? HAA HA HA HA HA HA!
The Dems are going to make mince meat out of these guys. Everyone made light of the fact that the Senate Dems picked Heidepriem for leader because their talent pool was so shallow, the House GOP must have completely dried up.
I can't wait for the dog and pony show to start with these two clowns in leadership.
Anonymous said…
Anything would have been better than Brunner.

Who's bright idea was it originally to vote Rhoden in leadership?

Looks like we may have the 109th Congress on our hands in Pierre.
Anonymous said…
What issue did Brunner change his mind on? On every vote I can find, he has been solidly on the side of the property owner. Do you know otherwise? If so, tell us about it.
Anonymous said…
Sure a lot of chest pounding going on here... Could it be from the same party that put Tom Van Norman in their leadership team?
Anonymous said…
Yep, Term Limits and green beans, it shall once again be an interesting time in Pierre.

Term limits = someting you like and hate at the same time.

Then of course we have those who flip and flop between the house and the senate to get around the term limit law.

Term Limits sounds like a great topic of conversation doesn't it????
Anonymous said…
Forgive the missing "h' in something and any others you see.
Are we to proof read- just kidding.
Anonymous said…
gop come home...
AMEN!
If either of those guys get the leadership spot I'm gonna vomit.
The dumbest line I've ever heard was Dempster last year when he was speaking and said he was "pro life, by choice". Give me a break, if Dempster gets leadership God help us.

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