By David Kranz
dkranz@argusleader.comPublished: April 27, 2007
Republicans have been in somewhat of a flux since the hospitalization of Sen. Tim Johnson as they try to get movement from possible candidates for those top 2008 races.
There are now at least two Republicans who have gotten to the point where they are weighing their sensitivity to Johnson's illness, but they also recognize they must start exploratory ventures.
Dusty Johnson, first-term Public Utilities Commissioner, and state Rep. Joel Dykstra, R-Canton, are at that point of soul-searching their political futures.
For Johnson, it is a possible U.S. House race. Dykstra contemplates the House and the U.S. Senate.
"It is something I am considering. Any time you have a realistic opportunity to make South Dakota better, you have to take a look," Dusty Johnson says. "The thing for me: Can you be a good congressman and a good father?"
Johnson and his wife, Jacquelyn, have a two-year-old child.
He will talk to folks who know what it is like to balance those factors, ready to hear about the strain it might cause on the family's personal life.
As he sorts out what he will do, Johnson says it isn't a matter of whether or not U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin is seeking re-election.
"I have tremendous respect for Rep. Herseth Sandlin, but this is not about her. It is tough to sit on the sidelines as we deal with security and economic issues. It would be an opportunity for me to make a difference," Johnson said.
Rep. Joel Dykstra is opening the door to a possible U.S. Senate campaign regardless of what Johnson decides to do.
"I would say a race against Johnson is a possibility. Frankly, I am exploring options for 2008. It may be the Senate, may be the House, and I am actively testing the waters. Frankly, the Republicans need a canddate, and Sen. Johnson needs an opponent in any event. So you have to make the assumption," Dykstra said.
As for a U.S. House bid, that is also a consideration for him.
Some Republicans have assumed that Dykstra's interest in a national office takes him out of the state legislative picture.
Not so, says Dykstra.
"It is premature to assume I won't be running for majority leader in the state Legislature," he said.
That situation could present itself since Rep. Larry Rhoden, the current majority leader, is term-limited.
Gonzales spotlight
Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez again put South Dakota in the spotlight last week when he testified during a congressional hearing regarding the controversy surrounding dismissals of eight U.S. Attorneys.
While testifying, the embattled Gonzales made mention of the situation in South Dakota as one reason why he wanted to change the law.
He noted that there was a problem in South Dakota where a judge wanted to appoint an interim to U.S. Attorney to replace "somebody who we had concerns about."
The local situation revolved around replacing acting U.S. Attorney Michelle Tapken, who was serving in that capacity after James McMahon left the job to enter private practice.
Federal Judge Lawrence Piersol moved to appoint former Attorney General Mark Meierhenry, a Republican, to the job.
Piersol's choice of Meierhenry was announced after the U.S. Department of Justice asked that he extend Tapken's term.
The process dragged on for several months, culminating when the Department of Justice intervened with a recess appointment of Steven Mullins of Oklahoma to fill the job. Eventually, Marty Jackley of Rapid City was nominated by Sen. John Thune.
It is now said that this situation resulted in the successful effort to put new language in the Patriot Act.
Lobbying bill
Mark Roby, publisher of the Watertown Public Opinion, thoroughly analyzed the recent tech school issue in the 2007 South Dakota State Legislature in a recent column.
"For more than four years now, our Watertown School Board and LATI administration have approved spending about $25,000 per year, when matched by the other tech schools, totaled more than $100,000 per year for a lobbyist charged with finding a solution to chronic funding problems. The lobbyist, Mitch Richter, is a former Sioux Falls Legislator," Roby wrote.
The bill that would transfer governance of the schools to the new board and regional boards passed the Legislature, but Gov. Mike Rounds vetoed it.
Secretary of State Chris Nelson says there is no requirement for lobbyists to report their salaries to his office .Richter did not respond to several attempted phone calls.
David Kranz's column appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call him at 331-2302 or write to him at the Argus Leader, Box 5034, Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5034.
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