Betty Olson

Betty Olson
Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from the 28B[1] district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 2007 Serving with Tom Van Norman (2007–2009) Dean Schrempp (2009–present)
Preceded by	Ted Klaudt
Personal details
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Residence	Prairie City, South Dakota

Betty Olson^[2] is an American politician and a Republican member of the South Dakota House of Representatives representing District 28B since January 2007.

Controversy

In 2014, Olson authored a column for the Butte County Post (a South Dakota local newspaper published weekly) that contained a joke widely criticized as a bigoted slur. The "joke" alleged President Barack Obama was a Muslim terrorist, and also cast 7-11 managers, Motel 6 managers, cab drivers and customer service representatives as Muslim terrorists.^[3] As the controversy stirred and outrage grew, Olson refused to express regret for her words, saying instead the problem was that "people don't have a sense of humor." She later denied being a racist, noting that "the guy who sent it to me is married to a black lady...."^[4]

Elections

• 2012 Olson was unopposed for both the June 5, 2012 Republican Primary^[5] and the November 6, 2012 General election, winning with 4,028 votes.^[6]

• 2006 When incumbent Republican Representative Ted Klaudt ran for South Dakota Senate and left the District 28B seat open, Olson won the June 6, 2006 Republican Primary with 890 votes (53.8%),^[7] and was unopposed for the November 7, 2006 General election, winning with 2,808 votes.^[8]

• 2008 Olson was unopposed for both the June 3, 2008 Republican Primary^[9] and the November 4, 2008 General election, winning with 3,265 votes.^[10]

• 2010 Olson was unopposed for the June 8, 2010 Republican Primary^[11] and won the November 2, 2010 General election with 2,826 votes (72.5%) against Independent candidate Teresa Schanzenbach.^[12]

References

1. "Representative Betty Olson". Pierre, South Dakota: South Dakota Legislature. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
2. "Betty Olson's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
3. "South Dakota GOPer Jokes That Obama, Taxi Drivers Were Sent Here By ISIL". TPM. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
4. "Obama ISIS Terrorist Joke: Betty Olson, South Dakota State Legislator, Says 'So Many People Don't Have A Sense Of Humor'". International Business Times. 8 October 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
5. "Official Results Primary Election - June 5, 2012". Pierre, South Dakota: Secretary of State of South Dakota. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
6. "Official Results General Election November 6, 2012". Pierre, South Dakota: Secretary of State of South Dakota. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
7. "South Dakota Republican Legislative Primary Election June 6, 2006 Official Canvass". Pierre, South Dakota: Secretary of State of South Dakota. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
8. "2006 General Election Official Returns for Legislature". Pierre, South Dakota: Secretary of State of South Dakota. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
9. "2008 South Dakota Official Primary Election Results June 3, 2008". Pierre, South Dakota: Secretary of State of South Dakota. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
10. "2008 South Dakota Official General Election Results Legislature November 4, 2008". Pierre, South Dakota: Secretary of State of South Dakota. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
11. "Official Results Primary Election June 8, 2010". Pierre, South Dakota: Secretary of State of South Dakota. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
12. "2010 South Dakota Official General Election Results Legislature November 2, 2010". Pierre, South Dakota: Secretary of State of South Dakota. Retrieved January 22, 2014.

External links

• Official page at the South Dakota Legislature
• Profile at Project Vote Smart