Sole Constitution Party candidate in SD drops out, sort of

On the ballot with me here in the District 9 House race is Charles Drews, a Constitution Party candidate.  There are only 21 registered Constitution Party voters here in District 9. Those of us on the Republican side of the ticket know these are votes are coming from our team, as these are not left of center voters. In a race like mine here in District 9 (where there are notably more registered Democrats than Republicans) this can make a difference in terms of electing people like me who are conservative candidates who stand firmly on our Founding documents.

Oddly, I've never met Charles but I figured I might as I participated in all the parades, candidate forums, etc, etc, in our district. Maybe I shook his hand on his doorstep, I really don't know. He's been off the radar at everything, no campaign signs, mail, literature, etc. And so I'll admit I wasn't surprised to see today he filed termination papers on October 14 which the Secretary of State's office.  I called his treasurer for more info and to ask if he would contact his supporters and encourage them to send their votes my way. I learned Charles is indeed out of the race because he has decided not to run. However, Secretary of State Chris Nelson tells me Charles Drews IS still a legitimate candidate and is already and will continue to appear on the ballot as technically he has only terminated the financial organization of his campaign.

The bottom line… potentially there will be conservative-minded District 9 voters who will in effect waste their vote on a candidate who is not running and therefore potentially help the Democrats continue to undermine Constitutional liberties. Bummer. I will make an effort to connect with the Constitution Party voters here in District 9 so that doesn't happen.