South Dakota

Joe Biden suffers huge primary vote against him in South Dakota

Published

3 weeks ago

June 5, 2024

Joe Biden suffers huge primary vote against him in South Dakota

President Joe Biden has suffered a bruising in South Dakota, after failing to attract about a quarter of votes in the Democratic Party’s primary election.

In March, Biden and his Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, both received enough delegates across multiple primary votes to secure their parties’ nominations for November’s presidential election.

However, the primary season is still ongoing, and in some states voters are supporting other candidates to express their opposition to the presumptive nominees, despite them being all but confirmed for the election.

In South Dakota, Biden won the primary with 74.6 percent of the vote on June 4, the Associated Press reported. At the time of writing, with 99 percent of votes counted, that represented 13,365 votes. Despite Biden’s electoral success, some one in four Democratic voters in the Mount Rushmore State did not vote for him.

President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 4. One in four Democratic voters did not support the incumbent president in South Dakota’s primary.

Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

South Dakota’s primaries are partially closed, meaning that only members of the Democratic Party and registered independents can vote in the Democratic primary.

Newsweek has contacted a representative for Biden for comment by email outside business hours.

Thomas Gift, who heads the Centre on U.S. Politics at University College London in the U.K., told Newsweek that those voting against Biden were not “representative” of the Democratic electorate and should not concern him too much.

“The fact that Biden already has the nomination clinched means that voters still motivated to show up at the polls aren’t at all a representative cross-section of the Democratic electorate,” he said. “There will inevitably be a higher percentage of disaffected partisans who come to the ballot box merely to make a point by signaling their discontent. While Biden certainly wishes his margins were larger, it’s not something his advisers will lose too much sleep over.”

It is not the first time Biden has faced opposition from members of his own party. In May, he won the Kentucky Democratic primary with 71.3 percent of the vote. With some 30 percent voting against him, it stands as the fifth-worst primary result of the 2024 cycle.

In the Kentucky primary, 17.9 percent of voters selected the “uncommitted” option, and 13.3 percent did so in Michigan, with some saying they were protesting Biden’s response to the latest war between Hamas and Israel.

Biden’s approval rating has also been poor recently. It has averaged 38 percent for months, according to the polling aggregator FiveThirtyEight, and Newsweek reported in May that Biden is the least-popular president in 75 years.

The Democratic incumbent is not the only candidate contending with protest votes. His Republican rival has also faced discontent in some GOP state primaries. In May, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who dropped out of the presidential race in March, won 22.7 percent of the vote in Maryland and 18.2 percent in Nebraska. While Trump won the primaries with a resounding majority, the results showed that he did not have the full support of Republicans in those states.

After the Democratic Party’s primary season concludes, Biden is set to face Trump on November 5 in a rematch of the 2020 election. It is expected to be a close race.

Update 06/05/24, 6:24 a.m. ET: This article was updated to include comment from Thomas Gift.

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South Dakota

Furniture Mission expands, helps flood victims in SD, IA & MN

Published

46 mins ago

June 27, 2024

Press Room

Furniture Mission expands, helps flood victims in SD, IA & MN

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – A local nonprofit is increasing its scope to help families devastated by flooding.

There are so many people in the area who have lost everything that makes their house a home because of flooding and the Furniture Mission is expanding to help.

There’s something special about living in this part of the world.

“We have that Midwest nice, always wanting to help out and be a helping hand to those that are in need,” said Executive Director and CEO Janean Michalove.

The Furniture Mission is reaching beyond its South Dakota service area and Michalove said their team decided to include more who are starting over.

“All of northwest Iowa and parts of Minnesota for families who have lost everything by flooding,” Michalove said.

If you have extra furniture, this could be the time to share.

“Donating couches, beds. Any household furniture items are always needed. Coffee tables and end tables and lamps, pots and pans and dishes and silverware,” Michalove said.

A Furniture Mission truck can pick up what you don’t need and deliver items to those who do.

Eighty-eight-year-old volunteer Dale Thorpe sees the whole team as a caring group.

“People here are super nice. They’re special and they’re my friends I’ve been doing it; I’m in my fourth year,” Thorpe explained.

On the deliveries, Thorpe sees the gratitude of those receiving furniture. He recalled a man who requested items for his kids and pregnant wife. On delivery day, Thorpe realized the man’s call to the Furniture Mission was among the last calls of his life.

While many fundraisers are underway, the established local non-profits are ensuring donations get to the right place.

“Trusting a nonprofit to step up to help you to decentralize those types of donations, on a great channel to make sure that we’re getting everybody what they need and getting everybody back to back in action,” Michalove said.

If you’re in need, you can contact 211 in South Dakota and they can connect you with help from the Furniture Mission and other local nonprofits in Sioux Falls.

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South Dakota

South Dakota Partners with Trualta to Support Family Caregivers

Published

8 hours ago

June 27, 2024

Press Room

All caregivers in the state can access free resources at home

PIERRE, S.D., June 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ –The South Dakota Department of Human Services (SD DHS) has partnered with Trualta, the leading online learning and support platform for family caregivers, to offer South Dakota caregivers free education and support. Caregivers can sign up at sd-caregivers.trualta.com.

“SD DHS’s Division of Long Term Services and Supports is excited to offer on-demand trainings and resources to help families and caregivers build the skills and confidence to provide care for their loved ones at home,” said Lesley Farmen, Administration of Community Living (ACL) Program Administrator and State Dementia Coordinator.

Trualta’s innovative education platform offers short lessons on many caregiver skills, including fall prevention, medication management, and bathing. It also offers virtual support groups and webinars. Trualta helps families caring for loved ones with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, an intellectual or developmental disability, heart disease, diabetes, a recent stroke, and more.

“We are thrilled to offer our family caregiver education platform in South Dakota,” said Jonathan Davis, Trualta CEO. “This is a significant step forward in our mission to empower caregivers with invaluable knowledge and support, deepening our commitment to help as many caregivers as possible to better manage challenging care situations at home.”

There are an estimated 80,000 unpaid family caregivers in South Dakota, and they are at risk for anxiety, depression, and burnout. To learn more visit sd-caregivers.trualta.com.

About the South Dakota Department of Human Services

The mission of the South Dakota Department of Human Services (SD DHS) is to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities and those who are aging. Department staff work with individuals, families, and SD DHS partners to help individuals learn about available services and how to access them. In partnership with its stakeholders and through its five divisions, SD DHS helps individuals meet the goals they set for the life they want.

About Trualta

Trualta is the leading family caregiver education and support platform, helping caregivers build skills, improve confidence, and feel less isolated. It offers on-demand articles and videos, and virtual support groups, to help improve at-home care and reduce caregiver burnout. Trualta partners with healthcare payers and providers, and government and social service organizations to bring its evidence-based offering to families.

CONTACT: Allison Becker, [email protected]

SOURCE South Dakota Department of Human Services

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South Dakota

Former SDSU Jackrabbit Scheierman selected in NBA Draft

Published

15 hours ago

June 27, 2024

Press Room

Former SDSU Jackrabbit Scheierman selected in NBA Draft

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Former South Dakota State Jackrabbit Baylor Scheierman was the last pick in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft, selected by the Boston Celtics 30th overall.

Scheierman spent three years at South Dakota State before transferring to Creighton, spending two years in Omaha. Scheierman started 35 games for the Bluejays last season, shooting about 45% from the floor and 38% from beyond the arc.

Scheierman will be joining a Celtics team coming off its 18th NBA Championship, defeating the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals. Scheierman is the ninth former Jackrabbit to be selected in the NBA Draft, and the first since Nate Wolters was selected in 2013.

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