First-of-its-kind legislator reunion planned for this month
Americans for Prosperity creating a 'South Dakota Legislative Alumni Network'
Former South Dakota state lawmakers will have two opportunities to attend a unique legislative networking event in both East River and West River locations.
The South Dakota chapter of Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is hosting two separate events this month launching the “South Dakota Legislative Alumni Network,” with the goal of “maintaining the camaraderie among those who have served as a valuable resource for current and prospective legislators and engaged citizens.”
“I have felt there was a need and opportunity for former legislators to be a source of institutional knowledge to existing senators and representatives so that our Legislature could be stronger,” said Don Haggar, South Dakota state director for AFP. Haggar himself is a former representative, serving from 2013 to 2017 in the House, including a stint as speaker pro tempore. His daughter also served in the Legislature.
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The first of the two events will take place in Garretson, on former Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s farm. Daugaard also served as a state lawmaker and lieutenant governor.
On June 21, the reunion will head to Rapid City in the historic Alex Johnson hotel.
Though AFP is a right-leaning think tank, Haggar says that the goal of the get-togethers is not partisan.
“It gives us an opportunity to renew old relationships,” he told The Dakota Scout. “We are committed to maintaining a bipartisan approach in this effort.”
The intention is for this to be just the first of several-get-together events that lawmakers have an opportunity to attend — AFP also hopes to continue the meetings into the fall and during future legislative sessions. These first two, though, will only be open to alumni lawmakers and not current officeholders or candidates so as to enjoy a more “candid conversation” free of political influences.
“We believe that by pooling our collective wisdom and experiences, we can create a dynamic platform that serves as a valuable resource for our communities,” the release continues.
Though this is likely one of the first such events attempting to rally former lawmakers in one location, it won’t be the last. The 100th Session Planning Committee, commissioned by the Legislature during the 2024 session, is planning a lawmaker reunion in Pierre in honor of the centennial legislative session next year in April.
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“We believe that by pooling our collective wisdom and experiences, we can create a dynamic platform that serves as a valuable resource for our communities,” the release continues.
should read, “We believe that by pooling our collective wisdom and experiences, we can create a dynamic platform that serves as a valuable resource to further our agenda of rolling back equal rights, fair wages, worker's rights protections and pro-choice protections”
If this "pooling [of] collective wisdom" sponsored by a "right-leaning think tank" produces a "dynamic platform" of social policies that has even a hint of bipartisan participation, I'll eat my St. Cricket t-shirt.