As I have said before, a recount is likely. I have also said that if Jensen would have lost by 109 votes, he would have asked for one to, so I found this statement interesting from him today;
Any results that finish within two percent when the final votes are tallied can be subject to a recount, should the defeated candidate make the request formally. With almost 30,000 votes cast, city officials would need to dedicate significant time and money to any recount efforts.
It’s like he is trying to ‘shame’ Stehly into not asking for the recount (even though he would have if the tables were turned). If she asks, it will not be a fast process. I also take issue with people who always want to ‘save’ money on elections. It is the last budgetary item we should be worried about. Heck we have given more to the private non-profit State Theatre than we gave towards this election, probably 10x more. Maybe Jensen should bring that up?
After the canvass tonight, Stehly has until next Tuesday to decide if she wants a recount. After that, it could take a couple of weeks to knock one out. Also, both sides get to pick a person to represent them (likely attorneys). I heard a rumor about who the Jensen team picked, and if it is who I think it is, he is a heavy hitter in the GOP, he is also very smart, but also very conniving and will use every trick in the book to throw out votes, hopefully Stehly picks someone who is also smart & cunning but someone with integrity to combat the rat from the SD GOP.
You will see this play out as a battle between attorneys.
The interesting factor is who the city finance director picks to be the third person on the grassy knoll. As we know, Mr. Pritchett was appointed by the mayor, and the mayor openly supported Jensen, so it will be interesting to see who this ‘fair and balanced’ third person is. I wouldn’t hold my breath.
I still think Stehly could pull this off, but she is already trailing, so there is a good possibility she doesn’t. I’m okay with that, and I think she is at peace with it to. But I also know that she knows she needs to fight to the end, just like she has done over the past 4 years.
The best news from all this? Stehly stays until the recount is over and the installation occurs, which could mean another 3 weeks. Amen!
Is it the GOP attorney and former state legislator who authored the bill to prevent Daschle from running for the senate and the presidency at the same time in 2004? 😉
( and Woodstock adds: “Maybe she could hire “Democrat” Heidepriem”… “Oh, that’s right, he supported Jensen, didn’t he?”…. #Nevermind )
I’m guessing his attorney is MM. He’s very smart. Theresa needs a heavy hitter but not sure what republican that would be. How bout Brendan J , he’s a Dem but moderate.
Not Mark Mickelson, but the other MM. Stehly has gotten tons of offers, so I think she is still in decision mode. But I do know her offers are the cream of the crop.
Matt, huh?
All this time, I referred to Alex! as Jeb!, but I was wrong. This is more like Florida 2000 and Dubya.
( and Woodstock adds: “You mean more building collapses, two wars, and then economic collapse?”…. )
It’ll not make any difference. From the way elections are conducted we know they’re corrupt. It’s important to keep the process inconvenient. Votes will have to be stored and a few more added for looks.
if she does happen to win in a recount, which i hope she does, i’m afraid her life will be miserable on that council.
just the body language of squishy pauly, neitzert, and erickson when TS was speaking last night said it all. only thing that did surprise me was that dick kiley didn’t provide us with his infinite wisdom. also, the compliments to greco were ridiculous. both he and litz need to go.
Recounts are valuable to the election process. They force administrators to check procedures and data beyond simple ballot counting. It’s an audit on the process. The ballot resolution process SD now uses came about in part because of recounts where identifying marks and over votes in a single race threw out entire ballots. Good for Stehly.
Yikes, I agree. Stehly belongs in the general population with us. The council may smirk now but wait til they get swamped with petitions, protests, and unflattering public comment. They deserve forthcoming misery. Once the 2 other honest councilors finish their terms perhaps they’ll join the movement to replace Strong Mayor Charter with democracy and constitutional government.
These council meetings are becoming so laughable. It’s like survivor with two noticeable tribes (5-3). The gossip, two facedness and back stabbing is quite prevalent. I’d be curious if members of the RS5 that attend the meeting have a group hug before camera time. It’s sickening but we know it won’t go away.
Daily Spin – I am not sure I would call Pat Starr, honest! He plays politics too much for my liking and has flip flopped on items because the wind blew the other direction. The Auditor job was one of them and I am guess Starr was the one of the 3 to vote to bring it to the floor as I know Stehly and Breke didnt. So I would say Janet seems to be the only one of the 3 that has always been level headed and honest.
I have a lot of faith in Janet Brekke!
Maybe that Jacobson fella’ who trivializes ‘typos’ in official election results could stop by and blow some more smoke up our skirts about the wondrrful job that Greco and Litz did in running the most recent election.
yikes is correct. Both Greco and Litz lack the competence to continue in their jobs.