Everist will seek Janklow's seat in House

Aberdeen News ^ | Jan. 06, 2004 | AP

[JohnnyZ]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Former state Senate Majority Leader Barb Everist says she will seek the Republican party's nomination to run in the special election to finish U.S. Rep. Bill Janklow's term.

Everist said she would then hope to be elected to a full two-year term in November.

Janklow, R-S.D., announced he would resign on Jan. 20 after being convicted last month of second-degree manslaughter in the death of Minnesota motorcyclist Randy Scott. Janklow, a former governor, is the state's only member of the U.S. House.

"I am interested in running because I love legislating," Everist said Monday. "I know that from my experience in the Legislature. I was involved for 10 years, loved being involved in leadership, loved working with my colleagues. I think I know the state well and would love to seek some answers at the federal level."

The State Republican Central Committee meets Jan. 23-24 in Sioux Falls to choose a nominee for the June 1 special election.

Everist, a 54-year-old Sioux Falls lawyer, said that if she is unsuccessful in her bid for the nomination, she would support the central committee's choice in the June 1 primary for the full two-year term.

Five Republicans have said they plan to run in that election. They are: Everist; Larry Russell of Worthing, a DM&E employee; state Sen. Larry Diedrich, an Elkton area farmer; City Councilor Jeff Partridge of Rapid City; and Dr. Allen Unruh, a Sioux Falls chiropractor.

State Rep. Ron Williamson, a Sioux Falls businessman, and former state Rep. Dick Brown, a Wells Fargo employee from Sioux Falls, are considering the race. Former U.S. Sen. Larry Pressler of Sioux Falls said he would accept the nomination if chosen, but will not be able to be at the central committee meeting because of previous commitments in England and India.

Democrats are expected to nominate Stephanie Herseth without opposition. The Houghton native was their 2002 candidate against Janklow.

Information from: Argus Leader

[JohnnyZ]

I've heard tell from a few people recently that the Republicans were basically conceding this seat and that no one was running, both of which were pretty silly. Well, Everist and Diedrich are both very strong candidates; I don't know about Unruh. Pressler is, I think, a doubtful choice.

This will be a huge race in terms of momentum for the senate race in November, and the future of South Dakota politics. I like Diedrich as he is a farmer, but then again Everist would neutralize the Herseth female edge.

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[FirstPrinciple]

"I am interested in running because I love legislating," Everist said Monday.

Keep this woman as far from this race as you possibly can. I hope she finishes last in the primary.

[JohnnyZ]

You don't want a candidate who enjoys writing well-written laws? Good laws are a good thing.

[Pubbie]

I like Everist and am not convinced Herseth is invincible.

[Pubbie]

"I've heard tell from a few people recently that the Republicans were basically conceding this seat and that no one was running, both of which were pretty silly"

You know, you and I are probably the only people on FR that think Herseth is the unbeatable second coming - LOL

[Pubbie]

the only people on FR that think Herseth is the unbeatable = is NOT the unbeatable second coming

[JohnnyZ]

She's a pretty strong candidate (Herseth). Turnout for the primary/special election will be very very important. It probably helps Republicans that the turnout will be lower than in November -- the Republicans who vote will be more of the hard-core ones who will stick to party line. Whether there are other competitive primary contests June 1st could also affect turnout.

72-hour plan, here's your big pre Thune-Daschle test!

[Clintonfatigued]

I agree. I think that ex-Sen. Everist is the best candidate. The official nominee will be chosen by Republicans on January 24.

[Clintonfatigued]

In addition, legislating involves keeping bad laws off the books, and Barb Everist would be very good at that.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"I've heard tell from a few people recently that the Republicans were basically conceding this seat and that no one was running, both of which were pretty silly"

---

Add me to the silent majority that agrees it's rather silly that a pro-abortion liberal with no experience in a state in which Bush will get like 65% of the vote should be as feared as Kaiser Soze. Yes, Janklow "only" got 53% when he ran against Herseth in 2002, but that was because (i) RAT cheating and vote-buying was at historic levels, which will be impossible to replicate in 2004, (ii) Janklow was his usual "accomodating" self with the liberals, so he refused to hit Herseth hard on the issues, on which she's nowhere near the South Dakota mainstream, and (iii) Janklow had pissed off so many Republicans during his 16 (nonconsecutive) years as an "accomodating" governor (during which time he was a strong ally of Tom Daschle and helped him win his Senate seat) that it's a wonder he got as much as 53% of the vote. Barb Everist sounds like a fine candidate, and I'm sure after all the shouting's done she'll win 54%-46% or something like that.

[JohnnyZ]

and the ultimate test of a candidate's strength:

[Abram]

Not knowing SD politics very well...does she have a chance to win the primary? Is she conservative enough? A good fundraiser and campaigner? Herseth has a lot of name recognition...I think her grandfather was governor and she just ran a state-wide campaign.

I would agree about Janklow...he is pretty slimey and wishy-washy. I am glad that he is leaving the house and hopefully, in a state like SD, we can elect real conservatives to Congress.

[JohnnyZ]

does she have a chance to win the primary? Is she conservative enough? A good fundraiser and campaigner?

The state executive committee will select the candidate for the primary. I think Everist is the most likely selection at this point, partly because she is a woman to neutralize Herseth's advantage, partly because she's such a prominent Republican. Beyond that I don't know much; she must be fairly conservative if she was majority leader in SD.

There will be lots of attention paid to this race in state, and the couple of months upcoming will see the Republican candidate's ID reach 90+. The NRC & NRCC will make sure she is well-funded.

It's exciting to me to think we could have two more pro-life women in Congress if both Everist and Alice Forgy Kerr (Kentucky, Ernie Fletcher's seat) were to win.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"It's exciting to me to think we could have two more pro-life women in Congress if both Everist and Alice Forgy Kerr (Kentucky, Ernie Fletcher's seat) were to win."

---

Amen. 2002 was a great year for electing pro-life female Republicans to Congress, and 2004 may be as well. Along with Kerr and Everist, there are a couple of pro-life Texan women who may be elected this year, including State Rep Arlene Wohlgemuth in the 17th CD (where Chet Edwards will be running).

[Kuksool]

Conceding the SD House seat is a bad, very bad idea. We must fight for SD's lone House seat. Whoever wins the House seat will be future Senator. Tom Daschle and Tim Johnson held the House seat before being elected to the Senate.

[JohnnyZ]

Whoever wins the House seat will be future Senator. Tom Daschle and Tim Johnson held the House seat before being elected to the Senate.

Bodes well for John Thune, no? :)

[Kuksool]

This is why Thune is the GOP's best hope in making Daschle feel deeply saddened.

[Impy]

I don't either. People seem to be forgetting that this is South Dakota we're talking about.

[puterstuff]

Everist is not prolife. I have heard she is really pro choice. Who wants a token candidate anyway. That is what she would be. I am not sure that she can really represent the people of SD. I heard that Diedrich had a poll done back in 2002. He had rather high marks.. Articulation is not Everist's strong point at all. Have you heard her speak. She stumbles. The only way she can pull of a speech or message is by rehearshing it.. The candidate needs to be ready for the fire. She doesn't have the qualities. I would not want to vote for her.. Diedrich is articulate and he knows farming and how to work with trade agreements and other issues. He has what it takes. Diedrich would have my vote if I could vote the end of January....