On Sunday, June 1st, KCPO from Sioux Falls aired this GOP US Senate Candidate Forum. It was filmed during the afternoon in Sioux Falls, shortly before the Minnehaha County Lincoln Day Dinner in Sioux Falls, which all five candidates attended. In attendance at this forum were Stace Nelson, Annette Bosworth, and Jason Ravnsborg. Not attending were Larry Rhoden and Mike Rounds. The three subjects, chosen by those in attendance, were: Obamacare, government spending/debt, and the EB-5 Immigrant Visa program. Voters are encouraged to watch the video and share with others, especially before the Primary on June 3rd.

Click on the image above to go to sdpb.org and view the video of the US Senate candidate debate.

This past Thursday, South Dakota Public Broadcasting hosted a live 90-minute debate with all five GOP US Senate candidates at its studio on the USD campus. Stace seemed to do quite well. See if you agree. If you missed the debate or would like to review the responses given, click on the image of the video to view it. The video player is along the right-hand column of the page that opens.

The Second Amendment, sometimes called “2A,” was added to the US Constitution in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights. The spirit of the amendment is to specifically prohibit government from trampling the natural right of anyone to use arms (be they firearms or other kinds of weapons) to defend, by force if necessary, the lives and property of themselves and others. Of course, the ability to own and carry weapons is indispensable if one hopes to exercise such a right.

The chart below details the record of the five Republican candidates in South Dakota’s US Senate race this year. Twenty-two bills from the South Dakota Legislature are examined from the year 2011 to 2014.

It is appropriate to ask any candidate for office, “What have you done in the past to protect my right to keep and bear arms?” This is especially true for US Senate candidates. Voters should know how prepared candidates are to honor the oath to support and defend the US Constitution, including the precious Second Amendment.

The two videos below give a sampling of what Stace Nelson has said and done over the last four years while a state Legislator when it comes to defending the right to keep and bear arms. Both are from the 2014 session.

Last Friday, Stace was in Yankton, SD for the Lincoln Day Dinner. While there, WNAX (AM 570) was there to get a few sound bites from the candidates. Stace stressed that he is running on his record during his time as a state Legislator.

This week, Stace Nelson was endorsed by the Americans for Legal Immigration PAC (ALIPAC). From the endorsement:

“America faces a dire threat from illegal immigration, illegal immigrant employers, and corrupt DC politicians eager to change our laws to accommodate them both!” said William Gheen, President of ALIPAC. “We need people like Stace Nelson in the US Senate who will stand up for our existing laws which are designed to protect American workers and taxpayers instead of any kind of amnesty for illegals that would permanently undermine America’s borders and future elections!”

Rep. Nelson has been particularly outspoken on this issue in the SD Legislature and would continue to be if sent to Washington as South Dakota’s next US Senator.

It’s officially Stace’s birthday today. What better way to say happy birthday than show him some love! Consider a contribution today! Click here to donate.

The Stace Nelson for US Senate Campaign today released a chart comparing the records of all five GOP Senate candidates from 2011 to 2014 regarding eight bills proposed in the South Dakota Legislature in Pierre during those years. Although only two of the five candidates were in the Legislature during the period in question, it can be instructive to note which bills those candidates not serving in Pierre at the time prioritized to lobby for or against. While Mike Rounds had staff members lobbying for his interests on bills affecting insurance in SD, neither he, nor Bosworth, nor Ravnsborg testified at any of the many public committee hearings on these pro-life bills.

Sometimes it can be difficult to sort the rhetoric from the record. Informed voters are better able to see through the talking points made by candidates for office and make sound decisions at the ballot box. If you are concerned about term limits, this chart was made for you! See how the three candidates in the SD US Senate race who have held elected office actually voted on the subject of term limits. Also feel free to share the chart with others.

An updated and revised chart was released today by the Stace Nelson for US Senate campaign regarding South Dakota state budgets and spending from 2000 through 2014. From time to time, the claim has been made that South Dakota had balanced budgets during all those years. Using public records, the chart attempts to assess whether the budgets were “balanced” the a sense that the average voter would apply the term to his or her own budget, or whether the term “balanced” is being stretched for political advantage.

The chart also compares how three US Senate Candidates voted on each budget bill while holding public office in Pierre.

Today, Stace Nelson received the endorsement of a major national conservative group. The Republican Liberty Caucus officially gave its support to Representative Nelson in the race to be South Dakota’s next US Senator. The RLC describes itself as “the conscience of the Republican Party” and “dedicated to working within the Republican Party to advance the principles of individual rights, limited government and free markets.”

In a press release, RLC Chairman Matt Nye noted:

“Stace Nelson’s dedication to Constitutionally limited government and political reform were made very clear in his time in the state legislature, where he demanded real answers from Washington and fought for the rights of the people of South Dakota.”

“We cannot afford to let this seat be returned to the Democrats or fall into the hands of a Republican of lesser principles who will be no better than another Democrat. Electing Stace Nelson is a crucial step in restoring the original vision of the Republican Party and restoring our Republic.”

You can read the full release here.

South Dakota State Representative and past State GOP Executive Director Lance Russell of Hot Springs commented on why he supports Stace Nelson for US Senate. He mentioned that Nelson “means what he says and says what he means.” Rep. Russell has worked closely with and observed Rep. Nelson in the Legislature during the past four years. He expressed his confidence that Nelson is not simply providing nice-sounding rhetoric without the sincerity of conviction to tackle head-on the issues of spending, Obamacare, and illegal immigration. Instead, Russell insists that Stace is very serious about making the hard choices and doing what needs to be done.