From Noel Hamiel:
Sen. Ed Olson may face a primary challengein June from former House Rep. Dan Matthews.
If it materializes, the race between the two Mitchell Republicans illustrates a growing tension in the party over the creation of the Mainstream Coalition, formed last spring by Olson, Rapid City GOP Sen. Stan Adelstein, who helped underwrite the launching of the group, and other state lawmakers.
The organization’s stated mission, according to Olson, is to be non-partisan and serve as an educational tool to give moderates more of a platform to discuss policy.
Its board of directors includes former state Democratic lawmaker Mel Olson and Dakota Wesleyan President Bob Duffett.
Some Republicans criticized the organization when it was formed, saying it was unnecessary and that its creation suggested that the GOP did not represent the mainstream, especially on cultural issues.
Matthews confirmed this week that he’s considering challenging Olson.
"I’ve always said that if my family and work responsibilities were such that it would let me run again, I’d run again. If people thought that a candidate closer to Republican values was viable, then I would consider running if there was support for that."
Matthews, 51, served two terms in the House during the 1990s.
He freely acknowledges that he hasn’t seen the need for the Mainstream Coalition, and says "its Web site, mainstream.org., looks remarkably like the Democratic Party platform."
He objected to Olson’s statement in June that "there needs to be a place where moderates can voice their opinions and not get shouted down or called blasphemers."
Said Matthews: "As a Davison County Republican, we’ve always prided ourselves in being very inclusive. I’ve never heard anyone who styles himself as being from an evangelical wing or right wing telling other Republicans that you are a blasphemer . . . so I’m deeply troubled that Sen. Olson has set up a straw man to be knocked down at election time."
