Serving chili for votes? SD Democrats deny charge - KOTA Territory News
Member Center:
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) _ The South Dakota GOP says that a series of get-out-the-vote rallies that serve food to attendees are illegal attempts to buy votes, but the Democrats hosting the events insist their chili is legit.
The allegations come from GOP chairman Tony Post after a Wednesday chili rally in Rapid City held by Matt Varilek, who's challenging Republican Kristi Noem for the state's lone U.S. House of Representatives seat, and U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson. It resurrects high-profile investigations launched in 2010, during which candidates from both sides were accused of trying to swap food or food coupons for votes.
State and federal prosecutors ultimately ruled that the events were legal.
Varilek campaign manager David Benson says the chili events are to rally supporters and allow people to sign up as volunteers.
 | 
518 St. Joseph St.
Telephone: 605.342.2000 
|
