DCI director running for South Dakota Attorney General says he won't hire Jason Ravnsborg
The director of the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation who's seeking the GOP nomination in the 2022 election for Attorney General is distancing himself from his politically embattled boss.
DCI Director Dave Natvig, among two declared Republicans seeking the soon-to-be open attorney general position, told the Argus Leader this week that if his candidacy is successful, he will not hire outgoing Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg.
"He will not be employed by either the attorney general's office or the Division of Criminal Investigation," said Natvig in hopes of dispelling rumors to the contrary that have swirled in South Dakota political circles ahead of the convention.
More: Jason Ravnsborg breaks silence, says he won't seek re-election days ahead of impeachment trial
Ravnsborg next week will be the subject of the first-ever impeachment trial in the South Dakota Senate for conduct stemming from a fatal crash in Hyde County almost two years ago. The 46-year-old attorney general struck and killed Joseph Boever, 55, while driving from Redfield to Pierre on Sept. 12, 2020.
He's been on mandatory leave from the Attorney General's Office since being impeached April 12 on crimes and malfeasance charges in the state House of Representatives.
Natvig in 2018 was appointed director of DCI by Ravnsborg, who at the time was still attorney general-elect.
And while Ravnsborg hadn't publicly stated if he'd seek re-election at the time that Natvig announced his candidacy last month, the DCI director's entry in the race prompted speculation that Ravnsborg would not run for a second term.
Ravnsborg, who could be forced from office and permanently barred from holding public office in the future following his impeachment trial June 22 and 23 at the state Capitol, has since confirmed he won't pursue another term.
More: Senate prosecution will make case that South Dakota AG Jason Ravnsborg abused his office
Marty Jackley, former South Dakota Attorney General and 2018 gubernatorial candidate in the GOP race, is also seeking the 2022 Republican nomination for attorney general.
If he's elected in November, Jackley said Wednesday that he has no intention of hiring Ravnsborg either.
"I am not participating in the plans of Jason Ravnsborg and David Natvig, nor am I going to do or say anything which may impact the Senate impeachment trial," said Jackley, who served as attorney general from 2009 and 2019. "If blessed with the opportunity, I will hire an experienced, certified law enforcement officer as director of DCI and will try to hire the very best for our team."
Natvig has acknowledged the two have a relationship, said it won't be an employer-employee one if he takes over the office.
"It's just not true," he said.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: DCI head running for South Dakota AG says he won't hire Ravnsborg
