South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg is facing calls for his resignation from within his own party in the aftermath of his indictment last week on 3 misdemeanors for the September traffic death of a pedestrian near Highmore.
State Representative Tim Goodwin of Rapid City is the first Republican to publicly call for Ravnsborg to resign, something the South Dakota Democratic Party did immediately after the indictments were handed down.
Goodwin says the real question is “what is best for the citizens of South Dakota,” so his recommendation is for Ravnsborg to do the honorable thing and resign immediately so the state can move forward and Gov Kristi Noem can appoint a successor.
Dakota News Now/KOTA reports that sources have confirmed there have been discussions within the House Republican Caucus on possibly impeaching the Attorney General.
Asked about it, Goodwin repeated his original statement that “it is best for everyone, including Ravnsborg, to resign.”
If Ravnsborg were to be impeached, it would be the first impeachment trial in South Dakota history.
A Ravnsborg spokesperson says the attorney general does not intend to resign because he has not been found guilty of any crime in the death of 55-year old Joe Boever of Highmore and looks forward to the criminal case moving forward.