The Doeden campaign switched to damage control today in the wake of the new Rhoden campaign ad with his recorded voice declaring he voted for Barack Obama for President in a presidential election, according an article in the Dakota Scout:

“I have been a lifelong conservative, and every single statement I have ever made backs that up. Larry Rhoden’s political consultants are slicing and dicing audio clips of me every day to try and rewrite history,” Doeden told The Dakota Scout. “Unlike Larry Rhoden, I have supported President Trump since 2015 and have never wavered. I sure as hell never voted for the worst president in our nation’s history, Barack Obama.”

Read that here.

Except, when prompted by the Doeden denial, the full audio was released. And it didn’t help Doeden’s case any:

In the broader context of the clip, Doeden ties his former party registration to the pride he had growing up for his father, whom he described as “a John F. Kennedy Democrat.”

“I’m pretty sure I even voted for Bill Clinton. I think I may have even voted for Barack Obama in 2008. My dad was a registered Democrat. I was a registered Democrat into my 30s,” Doeden says. “Because I was not involved in politics, I didn’t care what I was registered as.”

Again, read the whole article here.

in their defense, the article also talked about an audio clip released by a Doeden ally, where six years ago the then lieutenant governor was recorded telling Phil Jensen that he would’ve had his ass kicked in the old days.

For most Republicans, that 6 year old clip actually made them think more of Larry for having said that to one of the worst human beings in the South Dakota Legislature.

From my mailbox:

TOMORROW NIGHT I’ll be hosting a second statewide tele-town hall meeting! I’ll answer a wide range of questions. Sign up here: https://tthm.wufoo.com/forms/larry-rhoden-for-governor-telephone-townhall

Leading Nat’l Pro-Life Group Endorses Larry Rhoden for SD Governor

Pierre, S.D. – Today Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Candidate Fund announced its endorsement of Larry Rhoden in his election to continue serving as governor of South Dakota.

“Larry Rhoden is a principled, pro-life leader who has demonstrated time and time again his commitment to protecting babies in the womb. As blue-state abortion profiteers have circumvented South Dakota’s pro-life law by mailing in abortion drugs that not only kill the unborn but send South Dakota women and girls to emergency rooms, Gov. Rhoden is fighting back. He signed HB 1274 into law and joined with Attorney General Marty Jackley in standing against the abortion drug industry’s attack on moms and babies.

“Before he was governor, Rhoden advocated for life in state ballot measure fights including his public opposition to extreme pro-abortion Amendment G which South Dakotans resoundingly rejected in 2024. As a legislator and House majority leader, Rhoden held a flawless pro-life voting record. South Dakotans can be confident pro-life progress will continue under Gov. Rhoden’s leadership.”

Earlier this year, Gov. Rhoden signed three pro-life bills into law:

• HB 1274 creates criminal penalties for distributing abortion drugs.
• HB 1257 amends the definition of an abortion to make clear that miscarriage management and ectopic pregnancy are not abortions.
• HB 1313 requires education in prenatal human growth and development.

SBA Pro-Life America and its partner Women Speak Out PAC are making a $160 million investment to elect pro-life leaders in the 2026 midterm and 2028 presidential election cycles.

 

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Candidate Fund is a federal political action committee of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America – a network of more than one million pro-life Americans nationwide, dedicated to ending abortion by electing national leaders and advocating for laws that save lives, with a special calling to promote pro-life women leaders.

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U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham to Be Honored in U.S. Capitol

Leader Thune Announces Congressional Tribute to the Honorable Lindsey O. Graham

 WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today announced that the late Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) will be honored with a special ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

“For so many of us in the Senate and the House, myself included, Lindsey was more than a colleague, he was a friend,” said Thune. “From the military to state politics to decades of representing South Carolinians in Congress, Lindsey dedicated his life to giving back through public service. As we say our final goodbyes, it seems fitting for his friends and colleagues to give back to him through this special Capitol honor.”

Additional details of next week’s ceremony will follow, and information related to Graham’s funeral service will be released separately.

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Thune, Rounds Legislation to Advance Lewis and Clark Water Expansion Project Approved by Committee

 WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) applauded the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for passing their legislation on Thursday, July 16, that would authorize a feasibility study for the proposed expansion of the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System. The bill now heads to the full Senate.

“The Lewis and Clark Regional Water System continues to achieve meaningful progress toward fully serving its member communities across South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota,” said Thune. “I’m pleased that the committee has passed our legislation and look forward to its consideration by the full Senate. I thank Senator Rounds for working with me on this important effort.”

“Continued access to clean and reliable water is critical to economic development and quality of life in our state,” said Rounds. “I’m pleased that the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has advanced our legislation that would authorize a feasibility study for an expansion of the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System. I look forward to working with Senator Thune and my colleagues to get this feasibility study through the Senate and into law.”

“Lewis and Clark Regional Water System is grateful to Congress and the champions of this legislation, including Leader Thune, for recognizing the importance of long-term water infrastructure planning,” said Troy Larson, executive director of the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System. “The success of our region depends on a dependable water supply, and this measure will help ensure we are prepared to meet future needs as our communities grow. Thoughtful planning today will help secure reliable water service, economic opportunity, and quality of life for generations to come. We thank the bill sponsors for their leadership.”

In addition to Thune and Rounds, the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System Expansion Feasibility Study Act (S. 3725) is cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn).

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This was a weird report to see, as it appears that the South Dakota Republican Party has abandoned using their federal account for much of anything, despite it having been where the party traditionally kept the bulk of their funds over the decades after they put themselves back together over the tough times of the early seventies.

Now, despite the federal account’s link to their Win Red account, and anyone holding office at the federal level, it appears that this repository for funding is near dormant, And it showed only token activity during the party’s biennial convention which was just held in Rapid City.

Clearly, no money came into this account from Thune, Rounds, Dusty, or the Jackley campaign and neither did any money go out from them to the SDGOP for the convention during this period, because this is the place where is should have appeared.

Yet, what did we see for financial activity? Not very much.

SDGOP July 2026 FEC Report by Pat Powers

According to this report, the SDGOP raised $75 federally. That seems a bit odd. During the entire Republican State convention?

So, how was money given by Justin McNeal, candidate for US Senate, for the Thursday Morning Coffee Break? Would that not have gone from his federal account to the party’s?

Or the Thursday Lunch from Mike Rounds, The Thursday social by Senator Thune, the Friday Lunch by Candidate for US House, Marty Jackley, or the Saturday lunch, again sponsored by Senator Thune?

 

I would have thought all those federal funds would have at least touched this account before it passed elsewhere?

They did report transferring in $1500 from the state account. And the only federal expenditure was $917.57 on accounting services, where they left the period with $29,706.91 cash on hand.

To find out what they really spent on the convention, and what they were left with, we’ll have to wait until October when the pre-general reports are due with the Secretary of State’s office (Assuming their treasurer filled them out right).

Another day in the State Republican Party.

From my mailbox come news that a long-time carrier of water for the elephant and former state official Dave Volk has passed away:

David Volk, 79, of Mitchell, SD, passed away Friday, July 17, 2026, at Veterans Affairs Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Private burial will be at Servicemen’s Memorial Cemetery in Mitchell.

David Lawrence Volk was born April 12, 1947, in Mitchell, SD, to Erwin and Joan Volk. David graduated from Northern State University and was immediately drafted into the U.S. Army. David had spent a lifetime serving his country, his state, and his community through military service, public leadership, volunteerism, and storytelling. A 1969 graduate of Northern State University, Volk has built an extraordinary legacy that spans decades of service and achievement, making a lasting impact on South Dakota and beyond. He served two years in the military, including a year in Vietnam as a combat photographer with the 101st Airborne Division. During his service, he documented the realities of war while serving alongside fellow soldiers in challenging and often dangerous conditions. For his dedication and service, Volk received the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star.

Following his military service, Volk returned home and embarked on a remarkable career in public service. In 1972, at just 25 years old, he ran for South Dakota State Treasurer and won, becoming the youngest person in state history elected to a statewide office at the time. Voters would return him to the position four more times, entrusting him with the responsibility for managing the state’s finances for nearly two decades.

During his tenure as state treasurer, Volk helped establish the National Association of State Treasurers and was elected its first president, demonstrating leadership that extended well beyond South Dakota’s borders. His work helped strengthen collaboration among state financial officers across the nation and elevated South Dakota’s role in shaping public finance policy.

You can read the entire Obituary here.

Please keep his family in your prayers.

Gov. Rhoden Mourns Loss of Denny Sanford

PIERRE, S.D. –  Today, Governor Larry Rhoden mourned the loss of businessman and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford.

“It is with great sadness that Sandy and I mourn the loss of T. Denny – a man who has so generously and intentionally invested in the great state of South Dakota,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “His contributions will not be forgotten, and South Dakota will forever be impacted by his legacy. Put simply, he was the greatest philanthropist in South Dakota history.”

Sanford gave billions to charitable causes in South Dakota, including:

• Sanford Health, with donations exceeding $1 billion that transformed healthcare delivery throughout the state;
• Sanford Underground Laboratory in Lead, a major state asset in science and education that would not have been possible without Sanford’s support;
• The Build Dakota Scholarships and the Premier/Freedom Scholarship, two significant scholarship programs that have transformed the lives of thousands of young people;
• Sioux Falls Development Corporation, which will make possible the relocation of Smithfield and the redevelopment of the former site; and
• Children’s Home Society of South Dakota, to which Sanford is the largest donor.

“Denny Sanford was a significant donor to practically every charitable campaign in Sioux Falls, and many others throughout the state,” said Lt. Governor Tony Venhuizen. “Beyond his high-profile gifts, Denny was a key reason that Sioux Falls has such a strong culture of philanthropy, and many important community improvements benefited from his support.”

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I hope they don’t “Biolate” unsuccessful congressional primary candidate James Bialota where he’s going, as he found himself on the wrong end of the law today according to UJS records:

He pled not guilty, but that’s not the way his jury of his peers viewed it. And today was the day when he found out the penalty.

For the class one misdemeanor of entering or refusing to leave property after notice, he was sentenced to 100 days in jail, with 93 suspended. According to court records, his incarceration will begin on 7/24/26.

I hope he makes sure to get out to vote early, since he’s going to be cooling his heels for a couple days past the primary election runoff.

Toby Doeden Voted for Barack Obama

Pierre, SD – Today, the Rhoden for Governor campaign released the “I Voted” ad, which educates South Dakotans on the fact that Toby Doeden did not vote in any Republican primaries until 2024. However, in his own words, he says he voted for both Democrats Bill Clinton and Barack Obama in previous presidential elections.

“I think I may have even voted for Barack Obama,” Toby Doeden says in the ad. The audio was captured during a meeting with a community leader.

In a fuller version of the audio (which will be made available to the media upon request), Doeden says, “I’m pretty sure I voted for Bill Clinton. I think I may have even voted for Barack Obama in 2008. My dad was a registered Democrat – I was a registered Democrat into my thirties.”

The South Dakota Republican gubernatorial runoff election is on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

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