Do you know what this picture is?

That’s my kitchen table. On either side, you can see green place mats. At the top, a few left-over Christmas decorations. Other things are scattered around the periphery.

In the middle? That’s a political advertisement.

Let me repeat. That is a direct mail, political advertisement for Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin.

A political advertisement! It’s January 4th! There is still ten months – TEN MONTHS! – until we vote! And I don’t even know if anyone is running against her yet!

Just 13 months ago, the political season came to a head. I received several direct mail postcards, newsletters, door hangers and other forms of advertisement EACH DAY. I didn’t think at the beginning to count – I couldn’t imagine I’d get so many. But being in the middle of a hotly contested state senate seat (which Scott Heidepreim won) threw at least one from each candidate at my door every two or three days. I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said I received 400-500 advertisements in the months leading up to election day.

And with Tim Johnson, Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, and the Presidential race all up for grabs – not to mention a bevy of state representatives, senators and other random positions I don’t even know about – I’m thinking it’ll be even higher.

That’s not even counting other ballot measures!

I’m counting this year. So far, Mrs. Herseth-Sandlin, you’re number one. The first.

Way to go!