When I heard about this just a few days ago, I just had to chuckle. Surprises me that the man who ran for a second term and recently got the council chair position would be trying to find a way to slip out of his current job.
See, Rex Rolfing asked some nice GOP committee peeps in District 13 to put him on the ballot this Fall for the legislature (replacing Westra). And according to city charter, you cannot serve on the city council and state legislature at the same time, so if he were elected, he would have to resign the city council seat.
Seems the heat is getting to Rex. So much, that a guy who owns property in Florida wants to spend a whole month in Pierre in the winter. That will cool you off.
Well it didn’t turn out as expected. Sue PetersonĂ‚Â got picked for the slot, with Alex Jensen and Rex being the two other candidates.
I guess we will have to endure old Tex Golfing for a couple more years, unless he just wants to resign on his own accord? I would be fine with that.
That’s not exactly how the state statute reads. It actually says that if elected to the legislature you cannot then be elected to a NEW or different office. It does NOT say that if you are already an elected official, you must resign. At least – that’s the way I read it.
The city charter seems to be more strict.
You are correct Ruf in reference to state law. Mayor of Dell Rapids, Scott Fiegen serves on the legislature. But I think SF city charter prohibits it.
Section 2.05 Prohibitions.
(a) Holding other office. No council member shall hold any other elected public office during the term for which the member was elected to the council. No council member shall hold any other city office or city employment during the terms for which the member was elected or appointed to the council. No former council member shall hold any compensated appointive office or employment with the city until two (2) years after the expiration of the term for which the member was elected or appointed to the council. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the council or mayor from selecting any current or former council member to represent the city on the governing board of any regional, national, or other intergovernmental agency.
A bigger mistake is he voting with Huether for the Admin Building. He’ll not be forgiven for crime syndicate conduct.