Johnson ahead in Earth hater poll giving Democrats a shot at all statewide seats

A poll just released by the Chiesman Center for Democracy and South Dakota News Watch shows US Representative Howdy Doody Dusty Johnson leading lackluster Governor Larry Rhoden in a potential gubernatorial primary likely leaving the US House contest wide open. Chiesman has known about voter disgust in South Dakota for at least two decades but it looks like some of that disgust is finally catching up to a few GOPers, too as twenty percent of the five hundred Earth haters polled are undecided. 

Divorced, compromised Attorney General Marty Jackley is surprised at his poor showing in the poll so his focus might be on the seat Johnson holds now giving Democrats some hope for the AG post, too. It's not impossible portly Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen will desert the Rhoden ship and get into the US House primary. Polling at only four percent Toby Doeden could act as a spoiler by running as an unaffiliated or third party candidate for governor in the 2026 General Election giving the as yet unnamed Democrat a chance to win. Jon Hansen's tiny showing might send him seeking the nomination for attorney general instead.

Johnson is way ahead in funding since he's never stopped raising money so the South Dakota Democratic Party needs start running opposition ads on every commercial radio station in South Dakota. Johnson needs to be held accountable for coddling a would be dictator, building a war chest on the Big Lie, for his failures to support Medicaid, for voting against marriage, for not moving on immigration reform and for his culpability in driving talent from South Dakota. Johnson went from being a likable moderate to becoming just another tool of the oligarchs who hoard trillions in South Dakota’s banks and trusts because, hey, that’s where the money is.

"I’ve been receiving a lot of encouragement from South Dakotans to keep doing the job of governor," Rhoden told News Watch in reaction to the poll. "Sandy (his wife) and I are encouraged by this information — but campaigns are too long and a distraction from public service. South Dakota is a great state, and I’m focused on doing my job serving the people as governor." [Poll: Johnson, Rhoden set pace in South Dakota governor's race]

So far this election cycle Democratic registration in South Dakota hovers at around twenty three percent, no Democrat has held statewide office since 2008 and the party struggles to stand up to Pierre's culture of corruption but frustration over lobbyist influence in the legislature is mounting in the populist wing of the SDGOP, too.

The only solution to better public policy in SD is a stronger Democratic Party. Republicans have had 50 years to address low wages, lack of childcare assistance, lack of pre-education funding, lack of housing, a regressive tax system that under funds schools and an ongoing brain drain of young educated and skilled people. At the federal level Rounds, Thune, and Johnson allow Trump to do whatever he wants. This post does suggest that “open primaries” has no intention of substantially challenging the political system that exists in SD. They would simply like to have slightly less fascist Republicans in power. I miss the old days when we fought wars to throw fascists out of power and onto the dung heap of history. There has never been a better time to show your dislike of Musk and Trump by registering as a member of the Democratic Party. [Faceberg post, Reynold F. Nesiba]

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