Noem slams Herseth Sandlin on franking

Noem, the Republican candidate for the state’s lone House seat, said she would rarely use free mailing offered to members of Congress. It’s known as franking.

“I am serious about cutting spending, and while this decision won’t put our fiscal house in order by itself, it’s a clear step in the right direction,” Noem stated in a press release that was e-mailed to South Dakota media.

“Just because a clause in the House rules allows members of Congress, including our own incumbent congresswoman, to spend taxpayer money on campaign-style mail pieces in an election year doesn’t make it right,” Noem said. “If we are going to get wasteful spending under control, we have to start somewhere.”

However, she said she would still send out some mail at taxpayer expense.

Noem said if she wins, she would “respond to constituent requests but would not send out completely unsolicited, campaign-style mail pieces.”

She claims a piece of mail that Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, the Democratic incumbent, sent out recently that used the franking privilege had more to do with campaigning than serving in Congress. Noem’s campaign manager, Joshua Shields, said the timing of the mailing sparked the interest from the Noem camp.

The mailing in question stated that Herseth Sandlin was interested in promoting Native American education in the state and invited people to a field hearing she will hold Friday in Eagle Butte.

Shields said that if elected, Noem would not send out “full-color, glossy” publications paid for by taxpayers so close to an election. He said she would use “modern” methods to communicate with constituents, while using mail only where and when it is needed.

“That’s something to take into consideration. We will contact constituents via those methods when appropriate,” Shields said.

“We are not going to send out unsolicited pieces at taxpayers’ expense this close to an election.”

Betsy Hart, Herseth Sandlin’s deputy campaign manager, offered a sharp reply to the allegations of abuse of the franking privilege.

“It’s extremely disappointing that Rep. Noem doesn’t think it’s worthwhile to engage South Dakotans about improving education in Indian Country,” Hart said. “Voters have a choice in this election between Kristi Noem, who only wants to advance her political agenda, and Stephanie, who is focused on South Dakota’s priorities.

“We don’t need a typical politician simply trying to score points,” Hart continued. “We need someone like Stephanie who will do what’s right for our state — and that includes improving education for all South Dakota children.”

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