Herseth Sandlin responds to allegation Noem made in speech

Her Republican opponent, state Rep. Kristi Noem, leveled that charge during her acceptance speech after winning the GOP primary Tuesday night.

“She should maybe provide some specifics on those allegations, because they’re serious ones,” Herseth Sandlin said Thursday during her weekly telephone conference call with South Dakota reporters.

Noem didn’t make detailed charges in her speech but did take an early shot at the Democratic incumbent in her first speech as her opponent.

“She’s refused to lead when it’s been important to the people of South Dakota, and she’s acted for personal and political gain while ignoring the wishes of those she wishes to represent,” Noem said Tuesday night. “It’s unacceptable, and we’re going to hold her accountable for how she has acted in Washington, D.C., this fall.”

“It’s absolutely not true,” Herseth Sandlin responded Thursday. “It’s absolutely false that I’ve used my official office for personal gain.”

Moments earlier, the congresswoman had congratulated Noem. “I know how exhilarating it was when I won my own primary back in 2002,” she said.

Noem has tried to link Herseth Sandlin to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but the congresswoman said she was ready for the charge from “my opponent” that she is a liberal clone of the San Francisco congresswoman.

“Well, I’ll respond with facts,” she said. “I think voters are looking for facts in this election, not misinformation. Again, I look forward to that debate.”

Terri Jorgenson, Noem’s media relations director, sent an e-mail response to The Daily Republic when asked about Herseth Sandlin’s statements Thursday morning.

“The comment that Herseth Sandlin ‘acted for personal and political gain’ was made in the context of her vote on health care and her decision not to work to repeal it. Representative Kristi Noem looks forward to having this discussion in the future,” the e-mail said.

National Republican Congressional Committee staffer Tom Erickson called The Daily Republic Thursday and discussed the early campaign skirmish. Erickson said the lobbying work done by Herseth Sandlin’s husband, former Texas Rep. Max Sandlin, helps explain Noem’s remark.

“Stephanie Herseth Sandlin’s husband is a lobbyist who really is part of the D.C. special interest machine,” he said.

Herseth Sandlin said voters know her and understand that she reflects priorities for South Dakota. She said the campaign will focus on issues “so important to everyday lives of everyone in the state.”

Herseth Sandlin said she will continue to work hard to trim the budget, cut the deficit and promote renewable biofuels.

The theory that incumbents may be targets for upsets was touched upon during the teleconference. “I think some incumbents may be in trouble based on votes they have cast,” Herseth Sandlin said.

“I’m confident the voters will judge my record correctly,” she said. “I always look forward to the campaign season. This one is no different.”

On other topics:

– Herseth Sandlin said she is prepared to defend her vote against the health-care reform bill that was enacted into law earlier this year.

While some Democrats in the state were upset with her vote and two pondered mounting primary challenges to her, she said it was something she did after careful study.

“There’s going to be people disappointed with votes from time to time,” Herseth Sandlin said.

She said she has been willing to talk with people about her reasoning. “I think we’ve had very productive meetings,” Herseth Sandlin said. “I did vote against the bill.”

She said she has been “consistent” in explaining why she did so and she still favors improving the health-care system and making it “sustainable.”

– Herseth Sandlin encouraged South Dakotans to share their input on the 2012 farm bill prior to Monday, which is the deadline for submitting comments for the Farm Bill Field Hearing she held in Sioux Falls on May 18.

South Dakotans can contribute their comments at http://agriculture.house.gov or at http://hersethsandlin.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=853&Itemid=125.

They can also call the congresswoman’s office at 866-371-8747.

She said she wanted to hear from people with insights on the bill. “I think I’m looking for South Dakotans who have had real life experience grappling with these agencies,” Herseth Sandlin said.

She said she wants to strengthen the safety net for producers, improve rural development programs and promote conservation programs such as the renewable energy for Americans programs.

– Herseth Sandlin said she toured South Dakota last week with the House in recess.

An aerial tour of flooding in northeast South Dakota was “a poignant reminder” of the need to deal with the issue, which has plagued that corner of the state for more than a decade.

Herseth Sandlin said there needs to be a “comprehensive” plan to mitigate the flooding. “We just have to change our approach to be more proactive rather than reactive,” she said.

– She said she is opposed to eliminating Saturday mail delivery.

“This would be devastating to our most remote and rural communities,” Herseth Sandlin said.

She said many senior citizens and veterans depend on receiving medications in the mail. Eliminating one day of service could have dire consequences, the congresswoman said.

“This is one reason why Saturday deliveries play an important role in our state,” she said.

Harsh winters can also prevent people from getting to town to get their mail, Herseth Sandlin said. “We need to provide the peace of mind that Saturday deliveries will continue,” she said. “The Postal service has other options.”

A field hearing on the issue will be held in the state, she said.

– Herseth Sandlin said she also visited Boys State and Girls State during her tour of the state and praised the government education program.

“It has such a positive impact” on young people, she said.

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