SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- The former TV reporter was on the other side of podium today, defending her campaign, her business, and her ideas.
Mayoral candidate Jolene Loetscher held an impromptu news conference late this afternoon to address several issues that have bedevilled her campaing, just days before Tuesday's election.
- I'm not a vicitm
Several times during the media conference, she said, "I'm not a victim, I'm a fighter." Some blogs have accused her of hiding behind victimhood, especially concerning Paul TenHaken's voicemail. She again talked about her role in helping victims of sexual assault like herself and running a race "that would make my daughter proud."
- About that voicemail
Loetscher still insists that TenHaken's voicemail was threatening. She says that's because he mentions "tools" he could use on the other candidates and admitting to having "dirt" on all the candidates. When asked if she had oppositiion research, Loetscher said no, that she didn't have time and wasn't going to run that kind of race.
- The investigation continues
Loetscher chastized the local media for misreporting that there was no evidence of hacking of her online accounts. She said authorities had only found no evidence in a few accounts but a number of other email and social media continues.
- Her doggie doo DNA testing company is a biotech company
A recent newspaper article attempted to cast doubt on Loetscher's pet waste DNA testing company. She said dog and cat manure is a bio-waste and it goes to a lab that she is a co-owner of for DNA testing. She said she had never heard of the trade association that said it had never heard of her businesses. Loetscher said she still hasn't heard from them. She noted, "Just because a business isn't a member of the chamber of commerce doesn't mean it's not a business."
- About that FOP news release
Loetscher said she had two meetings with the FOP after she had a news conference about a month ago unveiling her precinct policing plan. Neither time she spoke with the union did they bring up concerns about the idea. She says her first indication of the rank and file's opposition to the plan was when she read their news release opposing precinct policing.
Click above to view the video of the news conference.