Old foes may battle again in '08

Adelstein hints he may try to help unseat Napoli

By Kevin Woster, Journal staff | Friday, June 29, 2007

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RAPID CITY -- One of South Dakota's most entertaining political battles in 2008 might be between Stan Adelstein and Bill Napoli.

And they aren't even in the same legislative district.

Legal boundaries aren't enough to separate the two outspoken Republicans, rancorous rivals who clashed earlier this week in a mayor's race that seemed far removed from their past disputes.

Energized Tuesday night by Alan Hanks' victory over Sam Kooiker, Adelstein proclaimed the mayor's vote a public affirmation of political moderation over conservative extremes. And Adelstein, who was deeply involved in the Hanks campaign, also issued something of a threat to his old nemesis Napoli, who supported Kooiker.

"I think what I said is, 'Napoli's next,'" Adelstein said. "I really believe what I said was, 'It's Napoli's turn next.'"

If that's Adelstein's way of slapping leather, Napoli drew quickly in response.

"Why in the world is one of Rapid City's richest men so concerned about a broke, short, fat little Italian guy who sells antique cars?" Napoli said. "If I had that kind of money, I sure wouldn't be concerned about him."

But Napoli was interested enough to suggest that Adelstein needs to "get some counseling," and to dismiss the notion that Adelstein, a former District 32 senator, could have any serious influence on the voters of Napoli's District 35.

Napoli won re-election there over Democratic challenger Theresa Spry in 2006, after being the target of expansive criticism and campaign advertisements over his controversial statements on abortion and other issues. Adelstein was among those trying to assist in Napoli's defeat, including providing money for advertisements critical of Napoli.

 "Conservatively, I figure Spry and Adelstein spent close to $30,000, and I spent less than $5,000 -- no door to door, few signs, most of my money on mailings," Napoli said. "I think the people in District 35 trust and respect me."

Adelstein said his financial involvement was much less than Napoli's estimates. Adelstein said he did offer support to Spry, to opponents of an abortion ban that Napoli supported and advertising critical of Napoli's position. Napoli's 374-vote win over Spry was narrow enough to indicate his growing vulnerability in District 35, Adelstein said. He also argues the rejection of Kooiker was an indirect rejection of Napoli that will carry over into the District 35 Senate campaign next year.

"In my mind, he (Napoli) has planted the seeds of his own defeat," Adelstein said.

 Napoli said he was barely involved in Kooiker's campaign and could hardly take anything personal from the outcome of the mayor's vote.

"I never gave Sam a dime. I never helped him. I never went to any of his meetings. I never put up any signs," Napoli said. "The only thing I did was write a letter that he never asked me to write. For a young man, his first time out, I'm very proud of what he did."

Adelstein, who has provided extensive support in past campaigns for candidates who share his views, wouldn't say whether he would recruit and fund a candidate to challenge Napoli in next year's District 35 primary or general election.

 "I'd be more likely to be involved in a Republican primary," Adelstein said. "I wouldn't be disappointed if he (Napoli) had a primary opponent."

Adelstein plans to be busy with his own campaign next year, an attempt to regain the District 32 Senate seat now held by Democratic Sen. Tom Katus. After losing to GOP conservative Elli Schwiesow in the District 32 Senate primary last year, Adelstein endorsed and supported Katus in his victorious campaign against Schwiesow.

That further isolated Adelstein from conservative factions of his party, and it could set up an interesting race between him and Katus if they both end up in the general election next year. Katus has said he intends to run for re-election.

"I would not run against Tom Katus. I would run for the seat that I held before," Adelstein said. "Regardless of who else was an opponent in a primary or general, I'd be running for, not against."

Napoli thinks Adelstein's chances of winning in District 32 are slim, regardless of his opponent.

"I think the people of District 32 have spoken. The Republicans supported Schwiesow last year," Napoli said. "And if push comes to shove, I think the people of District 32 will vote Katus back in. Katus has been a pretty darn good legislator."

Adelstein said he likes his chances in District 32, where he won two terms in the South Dakota House and one in the South Dakota Senate before his loss last year.

"I know exactly what I did wrong last time, and I won't make that mistake again," Adelstein said. "I spent too much money and had too few volunteers. It'll be a different campaign this time."

Adelstein also leaves open the option of getting involved in defeating Napoli in District 35.

"I might do the same thing to him that he did to me, but I'm not sure," Adelstein said. "He wrote letters. He encouraged Elli to run. He sponsored her before she announced. He was involved with his buddies (Sen. Jerry) Apa and (former Rep. Ted) Klaudt in orchestrating unfriendly and misleading comments about my activities in the Legislature."

Napoli said Adelstein might want to spend more time thinking about his own race in District 32 and less planning interference in District 35.

"I haven't been feuding from my side of this," Napoli said. "I haven't even mentioned that guy since the last election. But for some reason, he has his horrible infatuation with me that's just driving him up a wall."

Contact Kevin Woster at 394-8413 or kevin.woster@rapidcityjournal.com