Secretary of state candidates to debate in Mitchell

Talk about it

Two candidates running for South Dakota secretary of state have committed to debate at a Daily Republic-sponsored event this weekend in Mitchell.

Jason Gant, a Republican, and Democrat Ben Nesselhuf were contacted Thursday and accepted invitations to attend The Daily Republic-Corn Palace Festival Debate, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Corn Palace. The newspaper reached out to the candidates after canceling the gubernatorial debate planned for Saturday.

Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard contacted The Daily Republic late Wednesday afternoon and informed the newspaper that he cannot attend Saturday, due to the funeral of his longtime friend, Steven Hainje. Daugaard, a Republican, was set to debate Democrat Scott Heidepriem.

The U.S. House debate between Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and her Republican challenger, Kristi Noem, will be held as planned, beginning at noon Saturday.

Gant is a resident of Sioux Falls and Nesselhuf is from Vermillion. Also in the race is Constitution Party candidate Lori Stacey, of Sioux Falls. The Daily Republic did not extend an invitation to Stacey.

The debates are free to the public. Those unable to attend can watch the debates live on The Daily Republic’s website, www.mitchellrepublic.com.

Tags: daily updates, election 2010, jason gant, ben nesselhuf, news, local, politics, breakingnews