Moments after the photo was taken, another senator, Democrat Troy Heinert of Mission, told the reporter he didn’t think the watches were funny, that they were an insult to the voters who supported IM22.

IM22 would have created a publicly funded campaign system for candidates for the Legislature and state offices and would have established lobbyist gift limits, changed campaign contribution laws and set up an ethics commission.

Perhaps ironically, the House of Representatives approved gift restrictions Tuesday.

The national organization behind IM22 issued a public statement attacking the lawmakers and the photo.

“These legislators are thumbing their noses at the 180,000 South Dakotans who called for greater transparency and stronger anti-corruption laws at the polls last year,” said Doug Kronaizl, spokesman for the local chapter, Represent South Dakota.

“The image is tasteless and tone deaf given the outpouring of opposition to the repeal effort. This behavior and culture of voter disrespect is precisely what South Dakotans sought to put an end to last November.