SD SECRETARY OF STATE SHANTEL KREBS ANNOUNCES RUN FOR U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Shantel Krebs Photo: sdsos.gov

March 13, 2016

PIERRE, S.D. – Shantel Krebs announced Monday that she intends to run for South Dakota’s lone seat in the United States House of Representatives.

“I believe for the first time in my life, we have an opportunity to make the federal government more responsive to what we expect and deserve”, Krebs said in a press release. “Just like we do in South Dakota and just like I’ve done in my office.”

Krebs currently serves as South Dakota’s 28th Secretary of State. Prior to that she spent ten years in the legislature and held leadership roles in both the house and senate and Krebs was the first woman in the state’s history to serve as chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Dusty Johnson is also in the race for South Dakota’s seat.

Congressional Candidate Dusty Johnson has released the following statement regarding Secretary of State Shantel Krebs’ U.S. House candidacy:

“These days it seems like candidates are supposed to attack each other. Well, not me and not today. Shantel is a friend and I welcome her to the Congressional race.”

Source KSFY

OpEd: My Story by Paula Hawks Candidate for U.S House

OpEd: My Story
by Paula Hawks
October 18, 2016

Whatever your politics, I think we can agree, this election has been difficult to stomach. In a bizarre sort of way, running for Congress has given me a welcome reprieve from the ugly nature of the Presidential campaigns. Frankly, I’ve been more consumed with trying to run my own race than read every mean tweet by Trump. That all changed last week.

I was raped in college. Sexually assaulted by a person in a position of authority, when I listened to the audio from Trump bragging about what he could do to women because of wealth and fame, it hit me extremely hard.

For a moment — I was brought back to that place 20 years ago — alone, afraid, violated, embarrassed. Then, I became extremely pissed off. With years of therapy and an incredibly loving family that provided me a support system, I moved on. As much as you can.

This event totally changed the trajectory of my life. From the degree I completed in college to the type of personal relationships I was able to form afterwards, it’s been a dominant feature of who I am and the type of person I’ve become.

Never in a million years did I think I would feel comfortable talking about this publicly. But then, I didn’t think we’d ever have a presidential candidate bragging about sexual assault. Nor did I expect to witness the number of people ready and willing to excuse his behavior.

There are some lines I just don’t believe we, as a society, should cross. Supporting a sexual predator just because he might sign your bill into law is one of them. A man who brags about sexual assault is a man incapable of leadership. Those enabling him have already proven they cannot hold him responsible for the most reprehensible of acts. If we condone this behavior in our most important elected office, we enable it in our workplaces and at our colleges.

In the last week, I’ve read stories about a disgusting, heinous assault against a pregnant woman, a young girl being raped on the way home from school and a group of teenage girls being followed in Garretson. All right here in South Dakota. Ask your sister or mom or daughter. Most will have a story about someone being too close or being followed in a mall or on a walk in a park.

Sexual assault is real. Rape is real. We need to pay attention to these stories.

When we talk about the dysfunction in our country, I think we need to start by setting some basic standards for ourselves, for our political parties, for the people we support. We are role models and we should strive to be good ones. The example we set does matter. It should matter.

Paid for Hawks for U.S. House

Brazilian Beef Imports Imperil South Dakota Ag

Sioux Falls, SD – U.S. House candidate Paula Hawks addressed the recent loosening of safety restrictions on Brazilian beef imports into the United States. Between January 1, 2015 and June 1, 2016, over 69 million pounds of food imports were rejected at the U.S. border. Nearly 64 million pounds were rejected for serious health and food safety violations.

“Our producers are already suffering from a near record trade deficit and continue to face obstacles created by Congress and the Administration to remain competitive. We need to reject equivalency tests which weaken consumer safety and endanger U.S. cattle herds from foreign disease. We also need to immediately re-enact Country of Origin Labeling so our producers can fairly market their products, and ensure consumers can make an informed decision at the grocery store,” Hawks said.

Between FY 2013 and FY 2015, U.S. beef and poultry imports jumped 42% while prices continue to decline. The U.S. cattle herd is at its lowest number in 70 years. Recently, the Rural Mainstreet Index, a survey of 10 Midwestern and Western states, reported negative growth again in July at 39.8%, down from 43.9% in June. This is the 11th straight month of negative growth.

“It highlights why we need our one voice in the U.S. House to work every single day for South Dakota agriculture. You don’t check your herd just when you think it might be time to start calving. You check it as often as you can, rain or shine, because you understand something can go wrong at any moment. That’s the type of dedication it takes to be a successful rancher or farmer, and we need the same commitment from our representatives. Unfortunately, our leadership has become complacent and our producers are suffering because of it,” Hawks said.

Paid for Hawks for U.S. House

Hawks for U.S. House
PO Box 2848
Sioux Falls SD 57101 United States

Hawks Campaign Sweeps Across South Dakota

U.S. House candidate Paula Hawks meets with voters in Rapid City. Photo: Hawks for U.S.House Campaign

Sioux Falls, SD July 21, 2016 -Speaking at the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Wacipi and hosting town halls in Watertown, Aberdeen, Sioux Falls, Spearfish, Custer and Rapid City, U.S. House candidate Paula Hawks continued to focus her campaign on the issues most important to South Dakota including agriculture, Social Security, Medicare and Indian Health Services.

“Getting out and meeting voters is my favorite part of the campaign. Obviously, the town halls are a chance for me to audition and prove to South Dakotans why I would best represent them in the U.S. House, but it’s also an opportunity for me to learn from voters about the issues that most impact them and their families. My vision for South Dakota is bold but simple. The same fields that feed our families, can fuel our cars and power our homes from coast to coast. This is a vision that can harness our soil, our sun, our wind, and most importantly, our people to produce good, high-paying jobs in every corner of the state. I’m excited to continue to prove to South Dakotans why I will be a strong voice for them in the U.S. House,” said Hawks.

Paid for Hawks for U.S. House

Hawks for U.S. House
PO Box 2848
Sioux Falls SD 57101 United States

Democratic U.S. House Candidate Paula Hawks to Host West River Town Halls Next Week

 Sioux Falls, SD July 13, 2016 – U.S. House candidate Paula Hawks will host several West River Town Halls next week to discuss agriculture, Indian healthcare and take questions from those in attendance. The events are free and open to the public.

Spearfish Town Hall – Monday, July 18th

Location: Grace Balloch Memorial Library – 625 N. 5th Street, Spearfish, SD 57783

Time: 6:00 – 7:00 PM MST

Custer Town Hall – Tuesday, July 19th

Location: Re-Treat Room – 21 N. 4th Street, Custer, SD 57730

Time: 6:00 – 7:00 PM MST

Rapid City Town Hall – Wednesday, July 20th

Location: Rapid City Public Library – 610 Quincy Street, Rapid City, SD 57701

Time: 6:00 – 7:00 PM MST