Many people across the state are having a good chuckle (or good cry) about the hypocrisy of Mickelson’s proposal to limit big money influence in initiatives. Besides the fact that the Koch brothers have funneled millions into our state from out-of-state donors from ALEC supporters to Republican State legislative races, let’s look at the influence LOCALLY in his wife’s race for school board. While the money may be local, you have to question the BIG money influence in her race. This is from her last financial report (I think the next one is due on July 18);
SE Friends of Affordable Housing $500
SD RPAC $250 (Association of Realtors)
Two Minnehaha county commissioners $600
Dan, Steve & Joe Kirby $750
Dennis Breske (Developer) $100
Dr. Vance Thompson $250
Tom Walsh (Formerly Burger King, now Great Life) $100
Sweetman’s $350
Valerie Fox (Former Principal of Lincoln HS) $500
Dr. Alvine $100
Doug Hajek (Bond Attorney for largest bond provider in the state) $100
Chris Houwman (Developer, Washington Square) $250
Scott Abdallah (Attorney) $100
Erickson’s (City Council) $200
Dana Dykhouse (First Premier Bank) $250
Dave & De Knudson (Sanford Health) $250
Russ Janklow (Attorney) $250
Arch Beal (Beer Distributor) $200
Scott Lawrence (Ad agency) $100
Michael Crane (Developer) $100
Dave Owens (SD Chamber of Commerce) $200
And that is just a sampling. I know what you are thinking, none of the donations are HUGE but they speak volumes, especially when you consider she raised 10x more than her closest competitor.
Mark doesn’t sweat big money when it helps him, his wife or his fellow Republican legislators, but when it comes to ethics reform he wants to crack down on it. Go figure.