Joel Dykstra: An asset for Senate, South Dakota
Posted: Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Possessed of international and domestic private-sector experience in energy, agriculture, and economic development, along with multiple terms of service and leadership in the state Legislature, Joel Dykstra offers voters a diverse, impressive background and an accomplished record of achievement.
Today the Journal endorses Dykstra's candidacy for the U.S. Senate from South Dakota.
Through his three terms in the state House - where he is assistant majority leader - from nearby District 16, we have gotten to know Dykstra. He strikes us as a man of integrity, conservative principles, and intellect who reflects the priorities and values of most South Dakotans and understands the complex challenges facing America.
At a time when energy is taking an increasingly more prominent place in our national discussions and Midwest states stand poised to assume a greater role as energy producers, Dykstra's expertise within the industry would be an asset to the Senate and his state. Dykstra, a Republican, spent nearly 20 years working in the oil and gas industry, first in Tulsa, Okla., and later overseas in London and Rome, and he would bring innovative thinking to our energy dialogue.
We support Dykstra's comprehensive, "all-of-the-above" approach to America's energy challenges, including development of domestic resources such as the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge and the Outer Continental Shelf. In addition, he supports more nuclear power and encourages the production of renewable fuels such as ethanol, wind and solar, and he advocates for building a transcontinental transmission "superhighway" to deliver power from the Midwest to high-population centers on the coasts. Dykstra also backs the proposed Hyperion oil refinery in Union County, as do we.
With his business education and professional experience and a commitment to the ideals he correctly believes Republicans have strayed from since they won majority control of Congress in 1994, Dykstra's voice in the Senate would be a welcome one of fiscal discipline, free-market philosophy and conservative approaches, from taxes to spending to the war on terror to health care to abortion.
Finally, some words about Dykstra's opponent, two-term senator Tim Johnson. We have reported on and followed Johnson's career since he first was elected to the South Dakota House from Vermillion 30 years ago. He is a good man for whom we have great respect.
We will be honest, though. Factored into our endorsement decision in this race were our reservations about whether Johnson's health will allow him to maintain the schedule and discharge the demanding duties and responsibilities of a United States senator for the next six years at the level South Dakotans need and deserve. That isn't insensitivity; rather, it's an honest question about an unfortunate reality that has existed since Johnson underwent emergency brain surgery due to a congenital condition nearly two years ago.
This decision was not altogether easy for us, but a combination of his credentials as a candidate, his position on the important issues of our time and our concerns about Johnson tipped the scales in favor of Dykstra. South Dakotans would do well to send him from the Statehouse in Pierre to the Capitol in Washington.
Today the Journal endorses Dykstra's candidacy for the U.S. Senate from South Dakota.
Through his three terms in the state House - where he is assistant majority leader - from nearby District 16, we have gotten to know Dykstra. He strikes us as a man of integrity, conservative principles, and intellect who reflects the priorities and values of most South Dakotans and understands the complex challenges facing America.
At a time when energy is taking an increasingly more prominent place in our national discussions and Midwest states stand poised to assume a greater role as energy producers, Dykstra's expertise within the industry would be an asset to the Senate and his state. Dykstra, a Republican, spent nearly 20 years working in the oil and gas industry, first in Tulsa, Okla., and later overseas in London and Rome, and he would bring innovative thinking to our energy dialogue.
We support Dykstra's comprehensive, "all-of-the-above" approach to America's energy challenges, including development of domestic resources such as the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge and the Outer Continental Shelf. In addition, he supports more nuclear power and encourages the production of renewable fuels such as ethanol, wind and solar, and he advocates for building a transcontinental transmission "superhighway" to deliver power from the Midwest to high-population centers on the coasts. Dykstra also backs the proposed Hyperion oil refinery in Union County, as do we.
With his business education and professional experience and a commitment to the ideals he correctly believes Republicans have strayed from since they won majority control of Congress in 1994, Dykstra's voice in the Senate would be a welcome one of fiscal discipline, free-market philosophy and conservative approaches, from taxes to spending to the war on terror to health care to abortion.
Finally, some words about Dykstra's opponent, two-term senator Tim Johnson. We have reported on and followed Johnson's career since he first was elected to the South Dakota House from Vermillion 30 years ago. He is a good man for whom we have great respect.
We will be honest, though. Factored into our endorsement decision in this race were our reservations about whether Johnson's health will allow him to maintain the schedule and discharge the demanding duties and responsibilities of a United States senator for the next six years at the level South Dakotans need and deserve. That isn't insensitivity; rather, it's an honest question about an unfortunate reality that has existed since Johnson underwent emergency brain surgery due to a congenital condition nearly two years ago.
This decision was not altogether easy for us, but a combination of his credentials as a candidate, his position on the important issues of our time and our concerns about Johnson tipped the scales in favor of Dykstra. South Dakotans would do well to send him from the Statehouse in Pierre to the Capitol in Washington.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 5 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
Kathy wrote on Oct 22, 2008 5:01 PM:
You do a disservice to every disabled reader that you have, or perhaps had. "
Bill wrote on Oct 22, 2008 4:15 PM:
"From 2000 to 2004, Dykstra managed the company as it secured hundreds of thousands of dollars of state start-up loans to match private investors' contributions to develop value-added agricultural processing businesses.
After he was elected to the Legislature in 2002, Dykstra faced conflict-of-interest charges because of Ag Producer Ventures' state loans...
Gary Yocum of Wall, says Dykstra, not the business model, was the major shortcoming.
'It is more difficult to deal with the masses than with a few. That part is correct," Yocum said. However, "Joel went out and consistently violated the instructions of the board and lied to the board repeatedly about what he had done. It got us into no end of difficulty with the state, and it drove us out of business.'"
If this is the type of man the Journal wants to serve in the United States Senate, then they really are are just a bunch of right wing hacks. "
Bill wrote on Oct 22, 2008 3:29 PM:
In addition, Joel Dykstra wants to privatize Social Security and cut benefits. He also has consistently criticized and opposed minimum wage increases and stem cell research. "
Dick wrote on Oct 22, 2008 10:22 AM:
Chris wrote on Oct 22, 2008 9:18 AM: