SIOUX FALLS - Today former US Senator Larry Pressler, and several other notable Republican and Independent business and political leaders, came together to endorse Senator Billie Sutton, candidate for South Dakota Governor, and his running mate Michelle Lavallee.
Senator Pressler, De Knudson, Commissioner Jim Schmidt, Dale Froehlich, Michael Wyland, and Sandy Slunecka shared their reasons for crossing political lines and supporting Sutton and Lavallee, citing government scandals and a culture of complacency and division.
In his remarks, Pressler said:
“It is true that I made contributions to and voted for Kristi Noem in the past, well before Billie Sutton had entered the race. I like Kristi, but her campaign has not developed the reform issues that I had hoped. If Kristi is elected, the same people, the same insider groups, and the lack of transparency will continue in our state government. Additionally, we desperately need a two-party system in Pierre. Billie Sutton offers a bipartisan, historic change in South Dakota state government.”
Following the endorsements, Sutton concluded:
“I am beyond grateful for this outpouring of support from folks of all political affiliations. From what I’ve been hearing as I’ve traveled the state, South Dakotans are ready to move past partisan divisions, ready to part with politics as usual, and ready to come together around our shared values of honesty, integrity, and hard work. From day one, Michelle and I will shake up state government to make sure it’s accountable to regular South Dakotans. For the future of our state, it’s imperative that we do.”
See the list of some of the Republican and Independents publicly supporting Sutton and Lavallee here. A group of South Dakota Republicans have also organized a Facebook group to show their support.
Billie Sutton is a rancher, financial professional at a small community bank, State Senator, former professional rodeo cowboy, fifth-generation South Dakotan, and candidate for Governor.
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