Betty Olson

Betty Olson[3] (born April 19, 1946) is a rancher, EMT, and substitute schoolteacher.[4] She is an American politician who served as a Republican member of the South Dakota Senate in District 28 from 2015 to 2017. Before that, she was a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives in District 28B from 2007 to 2015.

For the Canadian speed skater, see Betty Mitchell Olson.
Betty Olson
Member of the South Dakota Senate
from the 28th[1] district
In office
January 15, 2015 – January 10, 2017
Preceded byRyan Maher
Succeeded byRyan Maher
Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives
from the 28B[2] district
In office
January 9, 2007 – January 15, 2015
Serving with Tom Van Norman (2007–2009)
Dean Schrempp (2009–2015)
Preceded byTed Klaudt
Succeeded byJ. Sam Marty
Personal details
Born (1946-04-19) April 19, 1946
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
ResidencePrairie City, South Dakota
Professionrancher, EMT, substitute schoolteacher

Early life and career

Betty Olson attended local schools and went to university. She became a rancher and also worked as an EMT. She worked some periods as a substitute teacher in the public schools. She lives in Prairie City, South Dakota.

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]

Controversy

In 2014, Olson wrote a column for the Butte County Post (a South Dakota local weekly newspaper) that contained a joke widely criticized as a bigoted slur. The "joke" alleged that President Barack Obama was a Muslim terrorist, and cast 7-11 managers, Motel 6 managers, cab drivers, and customer service representatives as Muslim terrorists.[13] As the controversy stirred and outrage grew, Olson refused to express regret for her words, saying 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...."[14]

References
  1. "Senator Betty Olson". Pierre, South Dakota: South Dakota Legislature. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  2. "Representative Betty Olson". Pierre, South Dakota: South Dakota Legislature. Archived from the original on January 1, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  3. "Betty Olson's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  4. http://www.sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Historical_Listing/LegislatorDetail.aspx?MemberID=3776
  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. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  8. "2006 General Election Official Returns for Legislature". Pierre, South Dakota: Secretary of State of South Dakota. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  9. "2008 South Dakota Official Primary Election Results June 3, 2008". Pierre, South Dakota: Secretary of State of South Dakota. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. 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. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. 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. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  13. "South Dakota GOPer Jokes That Obama, Taxi Drivers Were Sent Here By ISIL". Talking Points Memo (TPM). Retrieved 9 November 2014.
  14. "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.


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