Gant debates at Corn Palace event

Secretary of state candidate Jason Gant speaks Saturday during a debate at the Corn Palace in Mitchell. (Chris Huber/Republic)


Secretary of state candidates clash over endorsement

By: Ross Dolan, The Daily Republic

Published August 28 2010

Democrat Secretary of State candidate Ben Nesselhuf, of Vermillion, fended off verbal jabs from candidate Jason Gant, R-Sioux Falls, at Saturday’s Corn Palace debates in Mitchell.

The pair filled in for the gubernatorial debate, which was deleted from the program when Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard dropped out due to the death of a close friend.

The secretary of state candidates are colleagues in the state Senate and are seeking the office of current Secretary Chris Nelson, who will be term-limited out of office at the end of this year.

Gant attacked Nesselhuf’s endorsement from the Secretary of State Project. The organization’s website says it “supports reform-minded Secretary of State candidates and incumbents in key battleground states.”

Gant claimed the group does not favor the use of photo identification, which would confirm a voter’s identity.

Nesselhuf said that whatever the group’s specific positions, its overall aim appears reasonable. “This is quite a conspiracy that I’m the evil genius of,” he said with intended sarcasm.

Nesselhuf said he envisions a more active role for the secretary of state’s office in distributing business information on corporate filings. He pitched it as an “economic development” idea.

Gant said the secretary of state’s office isn’t meant to delve into economic development, and that as the state’s chief election officer, he would continue to protect the integrity of the election process.