Kevin Killer for House 27 - SD

We Did It!

Hau mitakiyape,

&#160;Hello, my relatives,

&#160;I just want to write to say thank you! The unofficial results&#160; are in and the ballots have been counted: we finished in FIRST PLACE!

June 3, 2008: primary day. It seemed so far off only a short time ago. We started this campaign for the South Dakota House of Representatives all together and tonight, I'm happy to say, we've won the Primary election. Now we embark together for the next step - on to November and the General Election.

&#160;Tonight, I just want to say thank you. Pilamaya. Thank you. I will write again soon to ask for more help but I promise that from now until November, I'll work tirelessly to win this election. I'll work tirelessly to represent my community, South Dakota's District 27. And I'll work tirelessly to represent fairness and equality and to take the tough stands on the issues that matter most to the people of southeastern South Dakota.

&#160;Take care, thanks again, and I could not have done this without you.

&#160;Yours,

&#160;Kevin Killer

Primary Day!

Today is Primary Day!

Find your voting districts and polling places with the Secretary of State's Website.

Indian Country Today

From the Indian County Today Paper, published May 23, 2008 by Brian Daffron.

BISMARCK, N.D. - Kevin Killer's quest for social justice comes naturally.

An Oglala Lakota tribal member and a resident of Pine Ridge, S.D., he learned his core values for helping others from his grandmother, Lessanes Killer, Francis Killer, an accountant whose practice catered to a Native clientele and who also worked with the National Indian Gaming Commission and National Congress of American Indians.

''She [his grandmother] just wanted to help people,'' Killer said. ''She stressed the community activism part into my dad. He applied that into his business principles. He had a core business philosophy in that he always helped Indians. He was able to stay in business for 20 years because of that.''

Killer, 28, grew up in Denver, Colo., where he went to high school, and eventually attended Metro State College and the University of Colorado.

After the death of his father in 1999, Killer accepted a job offer in 2000 on the Pine Ridge Reservation and eventually enrolled in Oglala Lakota College, where he is now a senior. Killer, who is also Kiowa through his mother, Janet Chaddlesone Little, said that his father ''stressed the importance of us coming back and helping out in our community.'' He said that his community involvement includes participating in Sweatlodge ceremonies and making Lakota values a part of his everyday life.

In addition to his studies at OLC, Killer also works as part of a burial assistance program with the BIA. Yet, for his youth, Killer's political resume has grown extensively in a short amount of time. In 2004, he worked as a neighborhood canvasser for the congressional campaign of Stephanie Herseth, D-S.D., and has also worked with the senatorial campaign of Tim Johnson, D-S.D. It was during his work with the Herseth campaign when voter problems arose in South Dakota in 2004. He said many polling place workers made mistakes such as not accepting tribal IDs as valid forms of identification.

''They weren't informing the voters that they were eligible, in lieu of ID, to do an affidavit. I got involved because we barely get people to come in and vote, and two minutes later they'd be walking out saying they weren't eligible and turned away.''

Killer's campaign work and notice of South Dakota's voting problems led to his involvement with the Young People For program, where he recently finished a term as the elected national president of the YP4 Fellowship Network. The program is for college-enrolled youth to make changes in their community and is part of People for the American Way, an organization founded by Norman Lear, creator of the series ''All in the Family.'' Each fellow in the YP4 program is required to create a ''blueprint'' for community change.

''My initial blueprint my first year was voter rights work here in South Dakota - register people to vote, inform them of their rights, and just let them know they have a voice,'' Killer said. ''With the experiences in 2004, we didn't want to repeat that in 2006.''

Killer's activities also include touring colleges as a trainer with Wellstone Action, an organization that trains future progressive leaders, and he was a recent participant in the 2007 INDN's List Campaign Camp in California. Killer is also a board member with the National Indian Education Association, and has raised $150,000 for the annual Great Plains Christmas Drive.

On March 25, 2007, Killer filed with the state of South Dakota as a Democratic candidate for the House of Representatives District 27, which encompasses most of Pine Ridge. Also running for the Democratic nomination in this district is Porcupine, S.D., resident Edward Iron Cloud III, who, like Killer, is also an INDN's List Campaign Camp participant; Joseph White Bear Cloth of Wounded Knee, S.D.; and Robert Fogg of Martin, S.D.

For Killer, the main needs of his district include creating job opportunities, where he estimates that unemployment on Pine Ridge is more than 50 percent; finding better solutions for health care; obtaining adequate funding for public education, with more than 90 percent of Native students in District 27 attending public schools; and harnessing wind energy, a largely untapped energy source in his district, with collaboration of both tribes and tribal colleges.

Killer, however, doesn't see his campaign as being confined to Pine Ridge or as meeting strictly with a Democratic base. Instead, he sees his district as largely rural, and that the needs of the rural community affect everyone within his district. For this reason, he wants to meet everyone within his district, regardless of political affiliation.

''One of the things in terms of campaign strategy is just going door to door to people and hearing their concerns,'' Killer said. ''Just for people to have contact with somebody that cares about their issues and cares about their well-being. I think it's important for that to happen. It gives the people who are voting a certain trust into a campaign, candidate or issue.''

The Democratic primary for District 27 is June 3, with the winner facing one of two possible Republicans, one of these being first-term incumbent Mark De Vries.

Killer was rather modest when asked by Indian Country Today if he was the best candidate for the job, saying that there were many people out there who were qualified to run. Killer said that if he won the nomination, he would take the concerns of the other candidates with him.

''I think that it's come to a point in our history and as a rural community that we need to start voicing our concerns better for everybody. We need to start getting out there and really making sure those needs of our community are met.''

INDN's List Endorses First Round of Candidates for 2008

From RezNet.

INDN's List, a national organization devoted to recruiting and training American Indians to run for Democratic office at the state and local level, today offered its endorsement of six candidates running in states across America, including an endorsement for Denise Juneau, an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes, who is seeking the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in Montana.

Kalyn Free, President and founder of the organization, said, "I am thrilled we have so many qualified candidates to support this early in the cycle, especially with such an impressive candidate for statewide office. Denise attended our Campaign Camp in 2007, and we are certain she will help the children of Montana with her leadership and experience."

INDN's List also endorsed Kevin Killer, an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and candidate for the State House of Representatives District 27, in South Dakota. Killer also attended the 2007 INDN Campaign Camp.

The first round of endorsements also include Todd Gloria, an enrolled member of Tlingit-Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and candidate for the San Diego City Council, Joey Jayne, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and candidate for State Court District Judge in Montana, June Lorenzo, an enrolled member of Pueblo of Laguna and candidate for the New Mexico State Senate District 30, and Laverne Wyaco, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and candidate for the New Mexico State Senate District 4.

INDN's List is a Tulsa-based national not-for-profit organization that is the only grassroots political organization devoted to recruiting and electing Native American candidates and mobilizing the Indian Vote throughout America on behalf of those candidates. Since its founding in 2005, the organization has experienced an impressive 79% win rate of its endorsed candidates, with 22 of 28 being victorious in 2006 and 2007.

EqSD PAC Endorses Primary Election Candidates

From Equality South Dakota PAC.

For the first time in South Dakota electoral history, a state LGBT group has given political action money to state legislative candidates.

Equality South Dakota PAC (EqSD PAC) has recently provided over $5,000 in funding to both Republican and Democratic candidates involved in the June 3, 2008 South Dakota primary. Among those EqSD PAC has provided funding to in June primary races:

E laine Elliott, Democrat, House District 2, Aberdeen.

Darrell Solberg, Democrat, House District 11, Sioux Falls.

Martha Vanderlinde, Democrat, House District 15, Sioux Falls.

Caitlin Collier, Democrat, House District 17, Vermillion.

Larry Lucas, Democrat, House District 26A, Mission.

Kevin Killer, Democrat, House District 27, Pine Ridge.

Jeff Nelson, Democrat, House District 33, Rapid City.

Full details of all candidates provided funding can be found after May 23, 2008 on the South Dakota Secretary of State's website in the EqSD PAC's pre-primary contribution report.

"Besides EqSD PAC seeking candidates to endorse, candidates came to us wanting our endorsement and financial support," said Todd Epp, a straight lawyer from Harrisburg, SD and chair of EqSD PAC. "The fact that candidates were excited about our support and that almost all of the primary surveys were so positive about LGBT issues is exciting."

Following the primary election, EqSD PAC will endorse and provide funds to selected legislative candidates in the November general election who it believes have progressive views on LGBT issues. General election candidates have until June 10 to return their surveys to EqSD PAC.

All legislative candidates were sent a survey on critical LGBT issues. The survey included questions on 1) would they support adding "LGBT" to existing state law prohibiting employment discrimination; 2) whether the candidates would support anti-bullying state legislation; and 3) whether the candidates supported allowing domestic partner hospital visitation rights. The candidates also provided biographical information and how they believed their campaigns can win.

"In addition to money, we hope to deliver volunteers, campaign support and ultimately enough votes to make the difference," said PAC board member Karen Mudd, a lesbian in Sioux Falls. "Please get involved to help elect these candidates."

EqSD PAC is the political action committee for Equality South Dakota (EqSD), a South Dakota non-profit corporation. EqSD PAC is a voluntary, non-profit, unincorporated association operating as a separate, segregated organization of EqSD. PAC board members include: Todd Epp, Harrisburg; Don Frankenfeld, Rapid City; Karen Mudd, Sioux Falls; Lawrence Novotny, Brookings; ; Gary Snow, Pierre; and Sharon Ludwick Warner, Rapid City.

Lakota Man Not Letting Youth Get In Way

From RezNet

By Kevin Abourezk

Kevin Killer planned to follow in his father's footsteps.

He wanted to become an accountant and had begun taking college classes to that end.

Then fate intervened.

On his way home to Denver from a conference, Francis Killer died suddenly of a heart attack at a Washington, D.C., airport.

Suddenly, the world of business didn't shine so bright for Kevin.

"When he passed away, I lost that motivation to go into business," the 29-year-old Oglala Lakota said.

He decided to return to the South Dakota reservation his father once called home, a decision that set him on an altogether new course.

It is a course that&#160;finds Kevin today a rising star in his state's Democratic Party and an energetic and charismatic community organizer.

More and more this election season, Indian Country has begun to see its future leaders emerge and grasp the reins of leadership.

Leaders like Wizipan Garriott, a 28-year-old Rosebud Lakota man who is serving on Barack Obama's presidential campaign, and Samuel Kohn, a 21-year-old Crow man who is serving as Obama's Native outreach coordinator in Montana.

In South Dakota, Kevin Killer is not letting his youth stand in the way of trying to make a difference in the lives of his people, the Oglala Lakota.

In 2004, he served as a field organizer for both Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and former Sen. Tom Daschle, who narrowly lost his senate seat to John Thune that year.

He has served as student senate president of Oglala Lakota College, which he now attends.

Now, he's taking the next step.

He is seeking a seat in the South Dakota Legislature for District 27, which encompasses four counties, including much of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

"We need jobs and we need more professionals in education," Killer said. "I think people want change on the reservation."

He knows his age is likely to cost him voters, but he's hoping his experience will gain his some as well.

Besides the work he's done for Democratic candidates, he's also served as project coordinator for the Great Plains Christmas Drive, a national effort sponsored by the National Indian Gaming Association that delivers toys and other gifts to children in reservations across the country.

Killer also has worked to increase voter registration at Oglala Lakota College and has begun training his peers to register others to vote.

This year, he's doing field organizing on his reservation for Obama's campaign and, of course, running his own campaign.

If elected to serve in the South Dakota Legislature, he plans to seek opportunities to develop wind energy projects on his reservation and to develop partnerships between public and private organizations and Oglala Lakota College.

If he doesn't win election, he plans to either seek a law degree or a master's in business administration.

One thing he doesn't plan to do: return home to Denver, where he grew up.

"The needs are so great in Pine Ridge it would be hard to leave," he said.

Kevin Abourezk, Oglala Lakota, is a reporter and editor at the Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star. He is a reznet assignment editor and teaches reporting at the Freedom Forum's American Indian Journalism Institute.

Off and Running!

With 30 days until the Primary, I'm campaigning hard! The dollars you've given have gone a long way. Let me tell you a little about the district I'm running in -

Encompassing Bennett, Haakon, Jackson, and Shannon counties, State House District 27 covers about 6,961 square miles! That's more land than Delaware and Connecticut combined! It's larger than Hawaii on its own, and just a few hundred square miles smaller than all of New Jersey!

At $2,500 raised online, you're helping to fill up my gas tank as I travel to talk to the voters of District 27 and - just as important - helping me to mail union-printed literature so I can spread my message of hope and progress.

Help me keep it up, please contribute today!

The Big Vote on Campus

An Article from The American Prospect.

Killer, now 28, decided to take time off from school at the University of Colorado in Denver to be a field organizer for Tom Daschle’s senatorial campaign, working in Native American outreach on Pine Ridge. He brought other youth from the reservation on board with the campaign, going door to door to educate and mobilize voters in their community.

“Since we were much younger than the people we were talking to, we held them responsible,” Killer says. “We said, if we’re this young and we’re voting, then you should be voting. It’s all of our futures.”

Though Daschle narrowly lost re-election, turnout on the reservation increased by 50 percent in 2004, in large part because of the door-to-door work of Killer and his peers. Working on the campaign on Pine Ridge convinced Killer that he should transfer to Oglala Lakota College, the local tribal college, where he could continue mobilizing the young adults who make up more than half the reservation’s population. The college includes 1,500 students on 10 small commuter campuses spread over a reservation about the size of Connecticut, and its students experience daily the reservation’s troubles, including a 75 percent unemployment rate. Killer needed to work a part-time job at Pizza Hut to attend the college, which offers far fewer political resources than larger schools.

His organizing increased voter registration at Oglala Lakota College by 15 percent during the 2006/2007 school year alone, and through the YP4 fellowship, Killer landed a position with Campus Camp Wellstone, a national program that trains students to become political organizers, where he is now helping launch a new national Native American leadership program. In April, he’ll be bringing Campus Camp Wellstone to Oglala Lakota to train students from all of the school’s 10 campuses in how to register their peers to vote and mobilize them on the key issues in preparation for the 2008 elections. He was also elected president of the YP4 fellowship network last year and continues to serve as a senior fellow, and has been working with the organization to create more opportunities for students like him.