Today the Aberdeen American News endorsed Republican Rep. Al Novstrup in his race to unseat Democratic Sen. Al Hoerth in District 3. This is a hotly contested race, only getting hotter after the state Democratic Party sent out the following attack postcard against Novstrup (click to enlarge):
Read an American News article on this controversy here. The problem with the attacks in this mailer is that they are either untrue or undocumented, to say nothing of the fact that on many of the "bad" votes, Hoerth voted the same way. Al Novstrup as penned the following response, which, I must say, is quite devastating:
Open Letter
to
Senator Al Hoerth
from
Representative
Al Novstrup
Dear Senator Al Hoerth:
I am okay with an honest, open,
and clean attack of my voting record. Politicians should be held accountable
for their votes, their actions and their decisions. What I am not okay
with is seven attacks on my voting records that are:
- Not referenced or documented (see 1,2,3,4,5,6,7)
- Misleading (see 2,3,4,5,6,7)
- Not true (see 3,4,5,6,7)
- I am puzzled by your attack #2 because we voted the same. I was unable to tell how you voted on attack 1,3,4,5,6,7 because you are unwilling to supply the bill numbers that the attack is based upon.
It is difficult for me to respond to your postcard as I have voted on about 2,000 bills and I do not know which vote or votes you are referring to in 1,3,4,5,6,7. Please document all future postcards so that I am able to give the voters a response on the issues.
Here is my response to your seven accusations.
Attack # 1 Representative
Al Novstrup voted to tax purchases made on the internet.
Response: True. I voted to level the playing field so that local retailers are not at a competitive disadvantage to large out of state companies. Local businesses deserve to be treated fairly. Please provide me with the bill number so I can better respond.
Attack # 2 Representative
Al Novstrup voted to increase livestock fees by 40%.
Response:
- Not true – The fee was increased from 80 cents to $1.00. This is a 25% increase
- Misleading – You voted for the bill also.
- Misleading – The Brand Board, the Stockgrowers and the ranchers asked us to increase the limit so they could afford to continue the brand inspection program. Due to the west river drought, less cattle were getting inspected thus less revenue was coming in to pay for the brand inspection program and additional money was needed to continue the service to the ranchers.
- Not documented by Senator Hoerth’s campaign. The bill number is HB 1058.
- According to Senator Hoerth’s postcard this vote is an attack on District 3 families. Brown and McPherson Counties are exempt from paying this fee. The fee is only collected west of the Missouri River.
Attack # 3 Representative
Al Novstrup voted to raise taxes on Medicaid patients.
Response: Medical expenses
are exempt from sales tax in South Dakota so I can’t vote to increase
a tax that doesn’t exist. Senator Hoerth, please provide the bill
number so I can let you know if the accusation is false or misleading.
Without a bill number, I feel like I am on an Easter egg hunt.
Attack # 4 Representative Al Novstrup voted against a measure to enforce stricter drug laws.
Response: Again no bill number. I have voted on 2,000 bills and I have no idea which bill Senator Hoerth thinks is a bad vote. Senator Hoerth, please provide me and the voters with a bill number so we can discuss the quality of my votes.
Attack # 5 Representative Al Novstrup voted against nearly every measure to fund education in South Dakota.
Response:
The 2008 Legislature voted
on the following appropriation bills that involved education
| Al Novstrup | Al Hoerth | |
| HB1087 | Supported | Supported |
| HB1124 | Supported | Supported |
| HB1219 | Supported | Opposed |
| HB1230 | Supported | No vote |
| HB1251 | Supported | Opposed |
| HB1279 | Supported | Opposed |
| SB192 | Supported | Supported |
| SB203 | Supported | Opposed |
| 100% Support | 43% Support |
- Senator Hoerth voted against $335.2 million dollars in state aid to education (SB203) in the general bill.
- Senator Hoerth voted against $45.1 million dollars in state aid to special education (SB203) in the general bill.
- Senator Hoerth voted against $93,000 that was designated for our best teachers that took the time to improve their teaching skills. (SB203)
Attack # 6 Representative
Al Novstrup voted to block a bill to increase teachers pay.
Response: SB187 increased teacher
income $2.2 million dollars. Novstrup voted yes, Hoerth voted no. Again
no bill number on Senator Hoerth campaign attack post card.
Attack # 7 Representative
Al Novstrup opposed efforts to improve technical and vocation schools.
Response: I am one of the most pro vocational and technical school supporter in the legislature. Don’t take my word for it. Call the Presidents of the tech schools and ask them. Sponsors of the pro technical bills Representative Deb Peters and Representative Jeff Haverly are the most knowledgeable, passionate and vocal supporters of the tech schools. Call them and ask if my support of technical schools was solid.
Vo-tech graduates are critical to economic development.
Here is a list of 2008 pro technical and vocational schools bills:
| Vo-tech schools bills | Al Novstrup | Al Hoerth |
| HB1218 | Supported | Supported |
| HB1219 | Supported | Opposed |
| HB1220 | Supported | Supported |
| HB1221 | Supported | Opposed |
| HB1223 | Supported | Supported |
| HB1226 | Supported | Supported |
| HB1227 | Supported | Supported |
| 100% support | 71% support |
Attack # 8 Representative
Al Novstrup has grey hair. (see picture in postcard)
Response: This is outrageous. Notice all the grey hair in the picture. This is not my picture. Where did he get this fake picture?
Senator Hoerth, if you are
planning more attack ads please let me supply some real Al Novstrup
pictures.
Sincerely;
Representative Al Novstrup
Recent Comments