While I would agree with Cory, that Gant should resign right now (don’t trust what he will do in the last year of office) I don’t agree with some of the theories coming from the blogsphere;

This announcement comes after a clear vote of no confidence from his own party as Senator Shantel Krebs (R-10/Renner) declared Gant had violated the integrity of the office and began lobbying SDGOP delegates to support her in a convention challenge to Gant’s renomination

Don’t be so sure Cory. I found it a little strange that Krebs had not made a formal announcement even though she had a nice little logo made up and a letter sent to conventioneers. If she lacked so much confidence in the job that Jason was doing, why was she being so quiet about her challenge? The conspiracy theorist in me thinks Shantel knew in advance that Jason was not going to seek a second term, and put herself out there quietly before he made the announcement. Why do I think this? Shantel is a card carrying ALEC member with good standing in the SD GOP. She really isn’t much different then Jason when it comes to her political philosophies. And as a SF conventioneer said to me, there is no way they were voting for her in the convention because of her political views mirroring Jasons’.

May I also note when we were circulating the snowgate petition, Krebs refused to sign, and went so far to tell the petitioner that she doesn’t believe in petitions because making legislation was the job of elected officials. She seemed offended that citizens would want to present their own legislation. Just the kind of SOS I look forward to 🙁

Gant’s former cheeseburger eating buddy, Pitty Patt Powwers even throws out more evidence that this was in the works for awhile;

But with the seat now wide open.. others are also expressing an interest in becoming the custodian of official records for the state and chief elections officer.

I’m hearing at least two others are expressing strong interest in entering the contest. I’m also hearing rumors that Senate Assistant Majority Leader Dan Lederman may be renewing the past interest he’d expressed in running for SOS prior to 2010.

Mr. SD ALEC himself is even considering the run. I may be a little thick at times, but if you think all of this excitement about running for Jason’s seat started after his announcement today, you are smoking some pretty good stuff.

And how are the Democrats reacting?

23 Thoughts on “Gant’s decision to not seek a 2nd term smells a little fishy to me

  1. This is a quandary for me. As a South Dakotan, I want him to resign now! But as a partisan, I think it would be fun to have him around for a while to further embarrass the majority Party.

    I will say this though, credit to the South Dakota GOP for having apparently learned from their 1994 Homer Harding mistake.

  2. I can tell you how they are reacting – they still don’t have a candidate. The only reason the Repubs keep ruling the roost at their leisure is because the Dem party is non existent as far as viable candidates. As you stated in a past blog, this seat would be a perfect opportunity, but when you have no one to run, it won’t matter.

  3. And Varilek and McGovern leave the state.

  4. Roadhouse on September 11, 2013 at 3:18 pm said:

    Lederman is putting his name in until Krebs maxes out her contribution to ALEC.

  5. Two options happened in my opinion.

    1. Gant saw the righting on the wall and bailed after talking with delegates and GOP voters.

    2. Shantel Krebs gave Gant the option to bow out gracefully or take a beating.

    There is no way Gant was going to win if challenged and he knew it. Just because someone is a Republican or a Democrat doesn’t mean they are in the same political teams as each other within the party.

    Most likely the preasure was really hot for Gant and it was time to jump from the plane or get pushed.

  6. It is really only a missed opportunity for Democrats because Gant is no longer in the running.

    Historically, Democrats in South Dakota only win State Constitutional Offices when there are coat-tails from a popular Democratic Gubernatorial candidate (like Kneip) or if they can run against a Republican incumbent whose capabilities are in question (like Harding or Gant)…. And since the Democrats still do not have a popular Gubernatorial candidate running in 2014…well…. I am afraid the story has most likely already been written then for the 2014 SOS race….

  7. Guest Poster on September 11, 2013 at 3:50 pm said:

    Last year when we broke the story of Pat Powers and Jason Gant we attempted to wake up the Democratic Party and the more moderate GOP to impeach or otherwise remove Jason from power. He is an embarrassment, fraud and borderline criminal. If we had ethics laws in South Dakota he and PP would be “splitting rocks” in Granite City.

    Do not be mistaken, Krebs and Lederman are not saints or saviors. Anyone the GOP selects for the job of SOS will continue doing what ALEC needs being done.

    As for the ‘high praise’ he has received for computerizing the SOS office, give me a f’n break. A rat on a wheel could have done a better job. If you ever have to spend any time searching the database you would find a great many holes in the logic and performance.

    It is a horrible website. It was ‘designed’ to make it look like it is doing something when in actuality is does little.

    I am sure Jason will be well protected in his “retirement” with special contracts or jobs as a reward for doing what ALEC needed done.

  8. Interesting… but if she knew he was not going to run, why hammer him with the talk of lack of integrity and violating the public trust in her pitch letter to the delegates? She was throwing a punch… why throw that punch if she didn’t need to?

  9. Guest Poster on September 11, 2013 at 4:07 pm said:

    Krebs needs to tell a story to the unknowing masses, such as how much better she is. She is pointing out little problems without letting anyone know how bad she is on the same issues.

    One other thing, Krebs flat out does not wat the citizens to have the right to petition. We found this out during one of the Sioux Falls petition drives this past year right from her.

  10. anonymous on September 11, 2013 at 4:16 pm said:

    Shantel Krebs

    Just what we need.

    A SOS who does NOT believe in the initiative and referendum processes.

    I think those who encountered Ms. Krebs during the snowgate petition drive better keep repeating their experience with her as often as they possibly can!

  11. Shantel Krebs? Eye candy for sure. Seems all the repubs have to offer lately. Beyond that????

  12. Guest Poster on September 12, 2013 at 9:36 am said:

    From David Montgomery’s post today:

    “I am far from perfect, but I have always tried to do my best and serve the people of South Dakota well,” Gant wrote.

    We can only agree with everything before the comma. After the comma is a different story unless the “people” are your friends from ALEC. To the end, a liar all the way.

  13. Cory – I don’t think Krebs and Gant had a conversation, but I have a feeling someone tipped her off of his possible bow out. I just find it a little strange that she was waiting in the wings.

  14. anominous on September 12, 2013 at 11:16 am said:

    9-12 Argus Leader headline:

    “Pressure Within Pushes Gant Out”

  15. Honestly – who cares if she was waiting in the wings? It happens all the time. Someone gets “let go” by a company and wahlah there is someone willing and suddenly ready to go.

    If you want to go after Gant – I get it – but the real story is once again – the Dems can’t find a monkey at the zoo to stick around for more than one election to become a valid candidate. Sometimes you have to lose once or twice to reach your destination. The Dems are infamous of packing up and leaving if they do not win. Sorry it takes more than 6 months for someone to learn about Matt Varilek. Just sayin’.

  16. Guest Poster on September 12, 2013 at 12:25 pm said:

    Karma, YOU GOT IT!

    Look at Scott H in the last cycle, what did he do when he lost, pack up go into hiding…

    Look at Matt V in the last cycle, what did he do when he lost, pack up go into hiding in another state…

    Look at Matt M in the last cycle, what did he do when he lost, pack up go into hiding in another state…

    Look at Ben N in the last cycle, what did he do when he lost, pack up go into hiding in another state…

    What about the GOP turned Dem to run for Lt Gov? Some DINO he turned out to be…

    When each of these people quit and run into hiding they take all the accumulated knowledge with them and never constructively help those who follow.

    Look at what the Dems have done in the last cycles, instead of actually doing real political work, they run petition drives (which on surface seem successful) but actually lose the game because of their long game.

    There is a history of Dems destroying their candidates after the election

    Cry all you want Dems about the lack of position in the state, you do nothing for the long game except shut the door on those who have actually won in the past, investing only in quitters. Now the Democratic Party is run by good intended people who don’t know how to win. Someone said best, the Dems are a Congressional party in SD because outside interests need the contested seat. Without a party to build depth there will be so support from the national party.

    We have a past ED of the party and a current interim director who cut his chops in SD politics assisting a GOP candidate try to return to the SF City Council. What a way to build a party. And now you want me to trust you?

    Dashcle did nothing to help the party from day one. It became a Daschle party when he got on the scene. Now he is out of here, defeated because he so controlled everything to preserve his power. The final remaining crumbs are falling off the table as a result of their short fights and no long term strategy.

  17. Maybe Heidiscott should run for SOS? Or Barth? Or Bill Thompson? Has anyone been asking Sue Roust, who ironically bailed Jason’s ass out in the past election.

  18. “Pressure Within Pushes Gant Out”

    The only thing missing on that headline would have been an ad for BK next to it.

  19. Maybe they should, but will they? – doubt it, but they are all people that may be capable. Anyone even running the Dem party these days?

    And from what I hear, Ben Nesselhuff was also quite fond of the BK establishment as well.

  20. Guest Poster on September 14, 2013 at 7:02 am said:

    PayWall Leader: “Gant was right to leave office amid missteps”

    He Isn’t Leaving today.

    He isn’t resigning.

    He is staying office to torture us for 15 more months!

  21. The only torture is the editing at the AL.

  22. Stan Adelstein on September 15, 2013 at 1:42 pm said:

    Gant should be forced to resign immediately. Judge Barnett, former REPUBLICAN Attorney General found him guilty of a misdemeanor in office, he he chooses not to resign voluntarily, the misdemeanor should be pushed.

    Stan Adelstein

  23. Lalley tried to take credit today for exposing Gant, and Monty said that the ‘internets’ exposed him. It was a moment.

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