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Press Release: Want-Ad for Republican Primary Candidates

It may be the first time in history someone has run want-ads for a political candidate. Beginning Sunday, one of South Dakota’s five largest political action committees is running want ads for Republicans willing to mount a primary challenge in legislative elections. The ad’s headline reads:

Wanted: A Republican legislative candidate with integrity, leadership and courage.

Equality South Dakota’s Political Action Committee (EqSDPAC), which supports equal rights for all South Dakotans, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, contributed more than $8,000 to Republicans in the last election cycle, but gave $20,000 to Democrats. According to EqSD PAC vice chairman Don Frankenfeld, this year the group is hoping to contribute in more balanced proportions to Republicans, particularly those willing to challenge entrenched incumbents who have been unsympathetic to equal rights.

The text of the ad says, “Maybe you have considered running for office but for one reason or another you held back. This may be your opportunity, if you are a Republican and you support equality.”

“South Dakota is a Republican state traditionally,” says Frankenfeld, a Republican who served in the state legislature and later ran for Congress. “Support for equal rights, fairness and inclusion is also a Republican tradition. Not only are Republicans the party of Lincoln, but Congressional Republicans were chiefly responsible for the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, the most pro-equality law since the Civil War. I am confident we can identify and recruit Republican primary candidates who honor our proud tradition of equality.”

Karen Mudd of Sioux Falls, who chairs Equality South Dakota and sits on the PAC board, shares Frankenfeld’s enthusiasm. “Fairness and inclusion are bipartisan issues, and we are a bipartisan organization,” she says. “Frankly, while we have worked with some Republicans who are champions of our issues, we know we need to work harder on that side of the aisle. This recruitment campaign is our initial step in a process that will involve not only substantial financial contributions, but the kind of grass roots organizational support a candidate needs to win a Republican primary.”

The EqualitySD PAC endorsement includes a contribution of from $1,000 to $5,000, but it offers more than money. The PAC will also provide “professional assistance in developing a winning campaign plan and strategy,” plus “in-the-trenches volunteers who will work for your victory.”

Frankenfeld and Mudd acknowledge that support for LGBT rights is not by itself enough for victory. “We are looking for highly qualified, well rounded candidates who care about taxes, education, economic development, and other vital South Dakota issues,” says Frankenfeld. “We know voters want the best possible representation in Pierre, and that single-issue candidates seldom meet that test. Our PAC seeks equality, of course, but like all South Dakotans, we seek better government in general. We are optimistic this want-ad will contribute to that result.”

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