Attorney General candidate Volesky "stakes himself to Indian issues"

[liberalhistorian]

This is an interesting article regarding former state rep and current Democratic candidate for Attorney General Ron Volesky, an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. We have some major Indian issues in this state currently that badly need strong leadership, especially the absolute mess in Shannon County that may very well end up disenfranchising thousands of Pine Ridge residents in the November election.

http://64.38.12.138/News/2010/021766.asp

Unfortunately, he has a slim to none chance against the current neo-con anti-Indian regressive piece of garbage who is currently the attorney general, former Bush-appointed U.S. attorney Marty Jackley, who wasted no time jumping at the chance to join in on the suit against the health care reform law as one of his first acts after being appointed attorney general by Gov. Rounds this past winter. Too bad, as he would make a far better attorney general.

[existentialist]

1. Ron Volesky

deserves commendation. I would like to think that he can win, but I doubt it.

He previously ran for Governor on the Democratic ticket when the Democrats needed a sacrificial lamb, and he was for several years a member of the State Senate.

When he ran for governor he carried certain areas. He carried all the Indian Reservations. He carried Clay County, which, possibly excepting some Indian Reservations, is the most Democratic county in the state (also has the highest adult education level of any county in the state), and he won Beadle County.

Beadle County is probably about middle of the road as South Dakota counties go, but it is Ron Voleski's home county. It is the same location from which he repeatedly got elected to the state Senate, and it is proof that an Indian can get white people to vote for him in South Dakota--if they know him.

(Of course this had previously been proved by Ben Rifle and James Emery--but that's another story, and they had it easy because they were Republicans.)

Additionally, by running here Ron Volesky may make a difference in some other races. He might help Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin which is the only South Dakota race of much national significance this year.

I have previously stated some unkind things about Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin. I still believe them. But by comparison with her teabag opponent she is the soul of sane and sound policy and good governance.

Ron Volesky needs no comparison with anyone to earn those accolades.

Thank you Ron Volesky.

[Mike Marble]

2. I've known him personally and professionally for decades. Good man.