Competing House candidates race to the end

By Jomay Steen, Journal staff | Tuesday, October 28, 2008

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Four candidates are battling to fill the two District 32 House seats on Nov. 4. There are two incumbents, but neither they nor their opponents are taking any chances, and all of them are throwing lots of time and energy into the campaign.

Democrats Eric Abrahamson and Bethany Wojahn are challenging Republican incumbents Brian Gosch and Brian Dreyer in the district that includes portions of west Rapid City east of Sheridan Lake Road, the Robbinsdale neighborhood, Skyline Drive and the West Boulevard area.

Eric Abrahamson

Since March, Abrahamson, 52, has been going door to door in an effort to introduce himself to the community and listen to the latest issues and concerns of the constituency.

"It's clearly changed over the six months," Abrahamson said. "At first, people focused on educational issues, but now, many more people are concerned about the economy."

Abrahamson says he has the knowledge to tackle both issues.

His education and career have focused on economic development and the role government can play in helping businesses and communities succeed, which will be a top priority for Abrahamson if elected to represent District 32.

"Education and training play a critical role in the success of a local economy. I want to make sure that people in our community get the education and training needed to attract and get good jobs," he said.

A family man, writer, historian and former Rapid City school board member, he has pioneered a career using the Internet, analyzing data for Fortune 500 industries and small companies. He has served in a variety of community organizations and was a candidate for the Democratic Lieutenant Governor in 2006. He was motivated to run because the people in his community get involved and give back to their neighbors.

"I hope that people will believe that I'll work hard, I will listen to people from every perspective and that I will genuinely work to bring people together. I'm not going to be a partisan," he said.

Brian Gosch

Gosch, 37, an incumbent, was appointed to his legislative seat by Gov. Mike Rounds when Alan Hanks left to become mayor of Rapid City. In his first campaign, Gosch has rung the doorbells between 85 percent and 90 percent of the households in District 32.

"I'm kind of the new guy, and I needed name recognition and to get people to notice me," he said.

In his first term, Gosch said he worked on economic development for the Black Hills and on keeping South Dakota a business-friendly state.

"This is more important, given the current state," he said. "If elected, I want to continue on those issues."

The attorney has lived in Rapid City for 12 years and been involved with Little League sports, girls soccer and the Jaycees. Topics of his informal chats with people on his door-to-door campaign have included property taxes, high gas prices, renewable energy and the economy.

"The economy is their No. 1 concern," Gosch said.

That is why it will be important for Gosch to return to Pierre to promote tourism, economic development and Ellsworth, he said.

Gosch's love for his home state -- and an old regret -- have motivated him to try to make South Dakota an even better place.

"When I was in college, my friend and president of the student senate asked me to fill a vacancy, and when I turned it down, I missed a good opportunity to serve my university, even though I was working 20 to 30 hours a week, involved in athletics and carrying a heavy academic load. I should have done it, and I regret not taking it on," he said. "This is a chance to redeem it, to put forth that effort to help make District 32 even better."

Bethany Wojahn

Wojahn, 38, began her first campaign in June and has been knocking on doors since July as well as attending forums and roundtable discussions. Most of it is an effort to solidify name recognition.

"Mostly what I've been doing is making personal contact. It's the best way to find out what people are concerned about and to meet them where they live," she said.

One of the biggest concerns for Wojahn is how the state funds education.

The financial crisis on Wall Street also has her district worried, she said.

"I want to do everything I can to see that jobs are secure. I want to ensure that the issues that result from the financial crisis are addressed," Wojahn said.

The homemaker, volunteer and violin teacher said her district should prepare for the ripple effects of the economic downturn when trying to find affordable tuition for college students, finance health care and deal with the possibility of losing jobs that were once thought to be secure.

"I know there will be more issues that will come as a result of what's happening on Wall Street," she said. "We have to be prepared for that."

What motivated Wojahn to run was the Rapid City school district's July budget crisis, when officials weighed cost-slashing measures, such as eliminating music programs, to stay within budget.

"Our kids pay the price for these budget cuts, and it's unfair," she said. "I want people to know that I have the flexibility to deal with problems and issues as they come up. We have to re-prioritize in Pierre and put people first."

Brian Dreyer

Dreyer, 32, an incumbent, has directed his second campaign with a lot of footwork, calls and marketing, leading to good results. The youngest candidate of the four, he has the most experience in the Legislature.

"I do feel confident, but I'm not taking anything for granted. I'll be knocking on doors until the last day," Dreyer said.

He, too, has seen the economy worry his constituents. Since Labor Day, he has met more than 4,500 residents in District 32 as he canvasses the neighborhood asking for their votes.

The real estate broker and South Dakota National Guard pilot grew up in Rapid City and returned here with his wife and children in 2004.

At 32, he believes a youthful perspective helps any legislative body.

"My focus has always been economic development and jobs. I want to see more people my age come back to Rapid City and have a career," he said.

More attention will have to be paid to the state's infrastructure as well as investing in education, health care and nursing homes.

"We have an aging population. Our moratorium is putting us into a self-imposed limit," he said, referring to the state moratorium on building new nursing homes.

Dreyer enjoys serving in the Legislature -- the people and the process.

"We're such a small state, you can actually get something done for people," he said.

One of the things that has helped South Dakota is the fact that it is an agricultural state, he said. "One of the things we're fortunate to have is that our economy is based on agriculture. Agriculture had a very good year last year. We don't have the same economy or problems as New York or Florida," he said.

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com.

Dems work uphill for chance at House seat

With registered Republicans outnumbering Democrats three to two in District 32, the two Republican candidates running for the two House seats ought to be shoo-ins. Yet this is a district known for electing individuals rather than following party lines, according to past representatives.

So what does it take for a Democrat to win?

Former District 32 Rep. Mike Wilson, 48, found that making personal contact with people in the community paved the way to his win in 1998. A Democrat, he had a feeling toward the end of his campaign that all of his effort and footwork was producing results.

"It was the only reason that I was successful," he said.

After a hard day at the office, the attorney would knock on doors and meet his neighbors. He took his son on one occasion, but the boy lasted only about two houses.

"I should have asked for help, but I just did it by myself," Wilson said.

At the end of the day, Wilson would review the list of people he talked to with his wife. They would find five people who had been polite.

"The next day, my wife would call and ask to put up a yard sign," he said.

"That was our campaign."

Wilson believes that a two-party system is essential for government to work well. The better ideas from both parties will percolate to the top for debate, he said.

"If one party has dominating control, it's difficult for good debate to take place," he said.

Republican Tom Hennies, who represented District 32 from 1999 to 2006, was often scolded by party members because he didn't regularly follow political lines in Pierre.

"I had a member of leadership tell me I wasn't a very good Republican because I had not represented the Republican Party's vote. But with 750,000 people living in the state, I was open to the cause or issue, not the political parties," he said.

In his last campaign, Hennies went against political wisdom by employing both wit and self-deprecating humor in his billboards and literature: "Hire Hennies Again: Photo omitted by popular demand."

He thought it was a hit; so did voters. But it wasn't unanimous, by any degree.

"Some people take themselves too seriously," Hennies said. "A good sense of humor in this business is a must, or you'll cry yourself to sleep."

Like some people in his district, Hennies wants to see more Democrats get into the state legislature so the majority hears those views, too. "Thoughtful and informed debate makes for better laws," he said.

He said Democrats have regularly represented District 32, naming Wilson as a good representative of the community and good for the Democrats in Pierre.

Democrats, he said, "are such a minority that they don't need to go to work. Republicans can pass every bill in the House. But you do need a good minority leader to make yourself visible and heard," he said.

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com.