SD: Man behind the ballot: How a Democrat changes laws in a Republican state

[RandySF]

After three unsuccessful runs for office, Rick Weiland knows the grim prospects for Democrats in South Dakota. Republicans hold every statewide office and all but seven of 105 seats in the Legislature. So, instead of pursuing his own electoral ambitions further, he pivoted toward ballot measures to influence public policy.

“The focus is on issues that resonate broadly with South Dakotans, irrespective of party affiliation,” Weiland said.

Ballot question committees chaired by Weiland have raised more than $3 million since 2014. He’s led or participated in 11 measures. Five were approved by voters, three are pending for this year’s ballot, two failed to make the ballot and one was rejected by voters.

Weiland’s strategic shift to ballot measures is rooted in his belief that some progressive policies, presented directly to voters, can transcend the Republican vs. Democrat divide.

“When the policy is removed from all that party stigma, people think with their brains,” Weiland said.




https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/05/10/man-behind-the-ballot-how-a-democrat-changes-laws-in-a-republican-state/

[NJCher]

1. Weiland did an end run

around republican propaganda and cut to the heart of the matter: issues.

For that he deserves a medal.

I would like to see this tactic used in other red states.

Note: the story is long but well worth reading. An impressive amount of research went into it.