Gant Demands Investigation

For Immediate Release
October 14, 2010
Contact: Jason Gant 321-1596

GANT DEMANDS INVESTIGATION

Rapid City, SD - Today, Senator Jason Gant, Republican Candidate for Secretary of State, joined many others in demanding an immediate investigation into the South Dakota Democratic Party’s practice of offering meals in exchange for votes. Numerous media outlets are reporting that the South Dakota Democratic Party, through some of its local and statewide candidates, are offering food and rides to polling places on South Dakota Native American Reservations.

“I am truly surprised by the continued practice of trading food for votes used by the Democratic Party and I am also shocked at the arrogance with which they defend such a practice,” stated Senator Gant from the campaign trail referring to quotes made by the executive director of the Democratic Party. “The Democratic Party has been warned about this type of activity in the past and they appear to be openly mocking South Dakota’s law enforcement and election laws.”

Erin McCarrick, executive director of the Democratic Party and former staffer to US Representative Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, admits in a piece written by Jonathan Ellis in today’s Sioux Falls Argus Leader that approximately one hundred people voted early in the election after being fed by her party. They also received rides to the polling places paid for by Democrats and more events are planned.

“The average South Dakotan finds this practice reprehensible. The United States Attorney’s Office and local and state law enforcement should be investigating this conduct immediately,” continued Senator Gant. “Voter fraud is a serious issue that should not be taken lightly. When I am elected as your next Secretary of State I will work to ensure this practice is abolished and anyone engaging in this kind of activity will be dealt with.”

Senator Gant concluded, “This travesty dovetails into exactly what I have been warning South Dakotans about throughout this campaign. We must protect our elections. We cannot allow outside groups, or in this case South Dakota groups, to make a mockery of our elections. Our Constitution, and to some extent our way of life, depends on providing our elections the utmost protection.”

Senator Jason Gant was first elected to the State Senate in 2004 and reelected in 2006 and 2008. Senator Gant won the Republican nomination for Secretary of State at the State Republican Convention in June 2010. Senator Gant owns his own healthcare consulting company. Jason is married to Chris who is a nurse practitioner, and they have three daughters, Abbi (7), Sophie (5), and Mallory (2). For more information about Senator Gant, visit his website at www.jasongant.com.

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