Rep. Marlin Stutzman was selected to replace retiring State Senator Bob Meeks on Saturday.  Rep. Stutzman was selected on the third ballot and defeated Rep. Matt Bell, who was endorsed by Senate Pro-term David Long and Sen. Meeks.  Rep. Stutzman will now meet Democrat Fred Demske in the fall.  While the story would normally end here with the congratulations going out to Rep. Stutzman and a thank you for your service to Sen. Meeks, I want to explore what I feel is a bigger story;  the manipulation of the electoral process by the Republican party.

I am not one to accept the status quo and I ask questions when questions are not being asked.  Rumors were running rampant as far back as last fall that Sen. Meeks may retire.  Sen. Meeks then put his name on the ballot for the May primary knowing he probably was goings to retire.  And with Sen. Meeks on the ballot, no sane Republican was going to challenge such a statesman.  Sen. Meeks ran unopposed, won the primary and promptly announced his retirement.  Now with Sen. Meeks retiring, the voters of SD 13 had no voice in choosing who their nominee would be for the general election and was left to the discretion of 60 or so precinct committee people?  I know, my detractors will scream precinct committee people are elected.  Well the fact is, very few are elected and most are appointed by the county chairman or women.

Wouldn't it have been swell if the Republican voters of SD 13 had a choice in choosing their nominee for the fall classic?  Maybe have a campaign and let the voters choose between Rep. Stutzman, Rep. Bell and anybody else wanting to be the next SD 13 nominee?  Does anyone besides myself see a smoky back room filled with a few party elite deciding they know what is best for the masses?