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August 14, 2008 82 days to elections
Dear friends and supporters,
If you followed us in the 2006 election cycle you know of the huge, and successful, efforts to defeat the near-total abortion ban on the SD ballot and WomenRun!SD's efforts to elect prochoice, Dem, forward-looking women to the state legislature (still only 16% women and SD is dead last in the number of women in statewide offices ). In 2008, with less than 100 days to work, we still have a rough row to hoe in that gorgeous but politically toxic prairie state. What happens in South Dakota should matter to all of us who are concerned about reproductive, economic and environmental justices. The next and most chilling challenge to Roe could very well come out of South Dakota, if it hasn't already, but the legislature is in a unique position to roll back the nastiest of laws against reproductive justice that are already in effect - if those with the will to make the changes are elected to office. Its that simple.
Competing with the presidential and congressional races for campaign dollars and volunteers is an extra hurdle all of its own for our state legislative candidates and this year they'll be up against another statewide ban on abortion , too. Its a campaign season of blood, sweat and tears again so I'm making a special plea to get behind the SD candidates I know and believe in from heart to toes.
When good women stand up for the good fight its up to the goodness in the rest of us to get behind them. There's no "ambition gap" in SD - let's show them there is no "encouragement gap " either!
Toss something in the hat for us here at our website, send it snail mail to WR!SD, P.O. Box 2983, Mpls., MN 55402, or send what you can directly to our candidates. Let's fill up their mail boxes! I can't tell you how much your notes of encouragement mean during these long, hard last days, whether you can give money or not. We're all in it together.
Remember candidate Theresa Spry? She's back to wage a run against an incumbent Republican Rep who also wants Bill Napoli 's vacated Senate seat. Last cycle WR!SD went to town to get Theresa the support she needed and, after a very funky, long day at the polls, she came up only 300 votes short - against the multiple-term incumbent. Its a Republican majority district but as one popular, prochoice Republican (who lost his seat for opposing the abortion ban) said last round, "[Theresa] is a thoughtful, experienced leader who would make an excellent State Senator." Like all our candidates, Theresa is a solid, smart, determined community and health advocate. Yes Theresa can win the District 35 Senate seat out of Rapid City if we get behind her with the resources it takes to run a solid campaign. I'm looking forward to spending the election cycle with Theresa again - and celebrating with a victory party this time!
Theresa Spry for Senate
821 Halley Avenue
Rapid City, SD 57701
Charon Asetoyer is on the campaign trail again for a Senate seat in District 21. This geographically huge district includes 3 First Nations and is charged with environmental and cultural preservation for a long stretch of the Missouri River. I've not a doubt Charon would take on her Senate responsibilities like she has her community and international advocacies. There's nothing this local hero of mine takes on that doesn't produce results for the good of everyone, from environmental advocacy to starting a food pantry, a women's shelter, creating transitional housing facilities for women and children, starting a Native radio station (soon to go FM) and conducting research used by Amnesty Intl. and the UN, so why not help her get something done in the South Dakota legislature?
Charon Asetoyer
Campaign for Change
P.O. Box 472
Lake Andes, SD 57356
Campaigns in most of South Dakota don't take the boatloads of money needed in bigger states but that's good news for us. We need money for radio spots (some of the cheapest in the nation), signs, GOTV efforts (this is a must), mailings and a feed or two for volunteers. Every nickel we can help out with is put into play, every 100 bucks a big deal, $1,000 and you're a saint. Here's more on our solid candidates.
Also in District 21, Diane (Long Fox) Kastner is fired up to battle for a state representative seat again this cycle and will be hitting the parades and powwows, picnics and meet 'n greets along with Charon. Diane is the purchasing officer for the Lower Brule Tribe (Lakota) and has been on the Lyman County School Board. Her experience makes her a keen candidate to get key action on state/tribal relations and tackle the myriad problems with the state's education system. GOTV is a key part of elections in this district - let's help Diane get out that vote.
Diane (Long Fox) Kastner
Kastner for House (Dist. 21 House)
P.O Box 346
Kennebec, SD 57544
Sen. Theresa Two Bulls (Dist. 27 incumbent)
P.O. Box 434
Pine Ridge, SD 57770
Lisa Cook is running for a state representative seat and this is her first shot at it so we want to let her know we've got her back. She's an attorney who puts her skills to work advocating for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and has years of activism behind her that should be put in service in the legislature.
Lisa F. Cook (Dist. 34 House)
P.O. Box 9396
Rapid City, SD 57709-9396
Last but not least we're rooting for Martha Vanderlinde and Nancy Turbak Berry. Martha is the only prochoice candidate, Dem or Repub, in her big district and looks to fill her mother's shoes and legacy as a state legislator. After her huge primary win she told the Argus Leader, "I ran a grass-roots campaign, made 2,800 phone calls myself and just asked people in the district to tell me their concerns." 2,800.
Martha Vanderlinde (Dist. 15 House)
Vanderlinde for House
320 N Western #2
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Nancy Turbak Berry is an incumbent state senator, a tough litigator, a solid advocate for good reproductive health and our government transparency warrior. She's also included the environment in her campaign platform: "Protecting the quality of life that depends on our environment. We need to recognize the link between our precious environment and the quality of life we have to offer both our citizens and the visitors on whom our economy depends. We need to learn ways to invite and promote economic development without abandoning our duties as stewards of the great earth." With massive energy industry plans for SD's resources she's spot on about being serious stewards. And we need to help Nancy back to the state senate.
Sen. Nancy Turbak Berry (Dist. 5 incumbent)
44 Paradise Drive
Watertown, SD 57201
Check back here for campaign updates from time to time as well as SD news and news on the abortion ballot measure. Hit that Donate button! We'll love you - you'll love yourself for it.
Thanks for hanging in with us for the good fight in South Dakota!
You make all the difference and I deeply appreciate those of you who've already chipped in.
Yours in solidarity,
WomenRun!SD
Note: If you're giving over $100. to a candidate directly please send along a note with your employer's name and your address. SD statutes limit individual contributions to candidates at $1,000. per year. Individual contributions to SD PACs are limited to $10,000. per year. Don't want to hear from WR!SD anymore? Reply to this email with Unsubscribe in the subject line or to LRoss@WomenRun.org. WR!SD is a state-only PAC; contributions do not affect federal contribution limits.
Authorized and paid for by WomenRun!SD, Laura Ross, Treasurer
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