Governor Noem didn't bother to show up for a gubernatorial candidate forum with the downtown Sioux Falls Rotary Club, but that didn't stop her from lying about what Democratic candidate Jamie Smith did say.
In the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, Annie Todd reports in Fact Check: Did South Dakota governor candidate Jamie Smith actually say he wanted to raise taxes?:
A few hours after Rep. Jamie Smith (D-Sioux Falls) answered questions during a gubernatorial candidate forum with the downtown Sioux Falls Rotary Club, Gov. Kristi Noem's reelection campaign posted a video of her challenger saying "he wants to find more things to tax," in regards to comments Smith made about the proposed repeal of the state sales tax on food.
At the meeting, Smith had been answering a question about the loss of revenue the state may face if the sales tax on food was repealed. He said that if recreational marijuana is passed by the voters during the Nov. 8 election, it would provide a new item to tax.
"'Some good friend of mine from the past said, 'We don't need to tax things more. We need more things to tax,'" Smith said.
In response to the ad, Smith tweeted the full conversation Monday that had led to him saying, "some good friend of mine from the past said, 'We don't need to tax things more. We need more things to tax.'"
Since Noem made the announcement in late September that if reelected for a second term as governor, she would push the legislature to repeal the state sales tax on food, both candidates have been trading barbs over the initiative.
Bluestem won't share the Noem ad--I even got a version of it in a text from the Noem campaign. It's unclear how those folks got my number. Todd continues:
But for those who attended the Rotary meeting, they might think there's a bit of disconnect with the ad, insofar that Smith's comments are being taken out of context.
Smith was the only candidate to accept the invitation to the forum, though Noem and Libertarian Tracey Quint had been invited.
Here's what Smith actually said in his conversation with former Rotary president Jason Herrboldt when asked about Noem's proposed policy to repeal the state sales tax on food:
Here’s the unedited clip with the context @KristiNoem conveniently left out.
— Jamie Smith for SD Governor (@RepJamieSmith) October 17, 2022
Just more D.C.-style politics from a D.C.-style politician. pic.twitter.com/7PMBhufl2u
Read the rest at the Argus Leader.
Smith has tweeted his response to the Todd article:
Great piece here by @AnnieTodd96 on @KristiNoem blatant lie:
— Jamie Smith for SD Governor (@RepJamieSmith) October 21, 2022
“But for those who attended the Rotary meeting, they might think there's a bit of disconnect with the ad, insofar that Smith's comments are being taken out of context.”https://t.co/Pu1tiYKQUF
Twitter has been brutal--though it looks as if the Noem campaign is betting South Dakota isn't engaged on the platform.
Related posts
- With a campaign focused on character, Jamie Smith sees ‘genuine’ shot at upsetting Noem
- Mugging: South Dakota governor's race is close enough for masked Noem image to appear
- Cato Institute gives Noem a "C" on Fiscal Policy Report Card; cites opposition to sales tax cut
- A tale of two states, two sales taxes: Jensen and Noem share very different campaign promises
- Special Report: How Kristi Noem rode shifting political winds to Pierre — & possibly back to D.C
- Positive pants on fire: Democratic opponent Jamie Smith corrects Noem's really bad math
- After swift recovery from spinal surgery, Noem heads out for bright lights, big bucks in AZ & FL
- Positive pants on fire: Noem fibs about policy, keeps Corey Lewandowski at her side in DC
- What the hell was that? Governor Kristi Noem butt of Saturday Night Live cold opening schtick
- Jamie Smith will focus on South Dakota and shake hands with your dog while he's at it
Image: Correction of a still from an earlier Noem ad, via Dakota Free Press.
If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 600 Maple Street, Summit SD 57266) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.
Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email [email protected] as recipient.
I'm on Venmo for those who prefer to use this service: @Sally-Sorensen-6
Comments