Day 2 has started with a prayer.. which apparently someone decided would be an overly long prayer recorded from TV.

Could they not find a local pastor to bless this mess? Maybe it’s just me, but my local church in Brookings does not come with a scrolling news feed.

We’re off to an interesting start.

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A little controversy with people that some of the opponents of democracy tried to boot from their delegate positions. Two were restored after a little debate.

Hopefully we can move the rest of this day forward with little trouble.

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Once all that folderol was completed, it’s 10:30 am, and we’re back recounting the number of people that each delegations has present.  I’m not sure we can get ourselves counted before 11. Assume that it’s a hand count, not a machine count, so it is guaranteed to take twice as long and be inaccurate.

So I rolled into the SDGOP convention this afternoon.

Actually had a nice experience at check in, as the people at the desk were very helpful. And ran into many friends – some I’ve seen recently, some I haven’t seen in more than a year.

But then I went into the voting hall. Where the friendliness evaporated somewhat, and a number of Sergeant of Arms were wandering around. Which left me wondering why do they have all this security pacing back and forth like they’re monitoring the yard at the state prison yard? With this crowd, I think it’s more likely that someone would fall and break a hip then break out into a riot.

One accosted me after I sat and was quietly chatting in the back with a long time friend and colleague, as he slapped his hand on my shoulder, chastising me because I was having a conversation. I pointed out that I was a delegate. Immediately triggering him to question me why was I not sitting with my county? ….Because I just got there?

Why am I being questioned at the convention by the equivalent of a dollar store security guard? What is this version of the convention I walked into?

From there they moved into resolutions. Some completely stupid, and as evidenced by the reaction, at least one unthinkable.

Setting the stage; There was a resolution proposed to attack Senator Thune this week, despite his attempts to bring the SAVE act to a vote. After the convention organizers were done with social media influencer Scott Presler yesterday, some of his followers took what ended up being an unproductive way to express their displeasure:

That kind of message went out to most of the people – if not all of them –  on the State Republican Party executive board.  Which had the exact opposite effect of what the Presler minions wanted.

Because they served to make a lot of people mad.

And when the anti-Thune resolution came to a vote, it went down hard. It was a welcome flash of unity at a convention where the party has generally been divided.

Divided to the point where the convention organizers feel they need have Sergeants of Arms circling the crowd like deputies circling the beer garden at a street dance.

We’ll see how tomorrow goes. 

From South Dakota Searchlight, it appears that the SDGOP Chair was not only denying entry to influencers last night, but to credentialed South Dakota media:

At the event, Searchlight showed several party officials the email confirming permission to attend, and spoke with Wagner and other party officials and officeholders. Several said they were having problems with other people who registered as media but weren’t from what the state party considers legitimate outlets.

Wagner apologized to Searchlight and said, “I didn’t realize that they weren’t going to allow press tonight.” Wagner said it was the decision of “the chairman,” a reference to State Party Chairman Jim Eschenbaum.

Eschenbaum did not immediately respond to a text message Thursday night from Searchlight.

and..

Searchlight asked Wagner if journalists will be allowed to attend those speeches.

“I don’t know what his decision on that is,” Wagner said, referring to Eschenbaum. “It’s a possibility that we will. You might want to check tomorrow.”

Read that here.

So, who exactly are they going to let in to the convention?

Sounds like it was a bad night for influencers at the Republican Convention in Rapid City.

And exactly how many Sergeant at Arms do they have to have if they have a lead Sergeant at Arms?

According to the convention rules,

No person shall be nominated or elected for public office or party office unless that person gave written notice of his or her intention to run for the office to the Convention Secretary by 5:00 p.m., Thursday June 25, 2026 ….

As of 5 PM today, here’s what I’m told we have for candidates to vote for in the following races (and this is the ballot order):

Public Utilities Commissioner:

Don Haggar and Peri Pourier

(Jess Bahmuller unexpectedly had to decline participation at the last moment due to family issues.)

Treasurer:

Heath Shields and Melissa Hull

Auditor:

Catherine Barranco, Tamara Grove, and Renae Randall

School and Public Lands:

Brock Greenfield and James Bialota

Secretary of State:

Monae Johnson and Heather Baxter

Attorney General:

Austin Hoffman, Lance Russell, and John Fitzgerald

Unless there’s one I missed that nobody knew about, this is it.

Over the past couple of months, the field of candidates has somewhat whipsawed back and forth, with rumors all over the place.

But when it comes down to brass tacks, it’s mostly the same people we started with, with some last-minute additions that are likely to go just how you expect.

Keep watching this space for more over the next couple of days.

If you’re a SDGOP convention attendee, and haven’t gotten your credentials, here’s a passage in the convention rules that you need to pay attention to.

Possibly in an attempt to keep the number of normal people weeded out a bit, they’re putting tight restrictions on those who were thinking of coming in on Saturday. From the Convention Rules:

3. Speaking and floor privileges shall be limited to registered delegates, convention officers, convention committee members, state party officers who are not delegates, and any candidate for statewide office nominated at the party primary election. To be eligible to vote in the elections for candidates, floor votes or be present on the floor, a delegate must be registered for the convention. Delegate registration closes at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026.

That’s a tight timeline if you’re taking off Saturday AM to go to Rapid City.  Don’t plan on any bathroom breaks along the Interstate. Purely Gas -n- go if you want to get in line before the deadline.

 

The 2026 South Dakota Republican Party Convention has begun with committee meetings today. And from reports, it’s already getting a bit crazy out there.

Kind of like when Josephine Garcia was claiming she was endorsed by God, Secretary of State candidate Heather Baxter posted a prayer for herself to her Facebook page:

I think that’s kind of like praying that a million dollars will drop from the sky. The Lord usually is not big on answering those requests.

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What else? There are reports that new candidates are emerging to run for some of the offices.

Fresh off of his loss for Congress on June 2, and being found guilty of Criminal Trespass and Disorderly Conduct in a 2025 incident involving Governor Rhoden at a dollar store on June 12…

…James Bialota is back looking for a triumvirate of misfortune, and is rumored to be considering another bite at the apple, and thinking about a challenge for the office of School and Public Lands.   If that’s the case, that’s a guaranteed NO vote.

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There is talk from delegates that State Senator Tamara Grove who was beaten in the primary by Rep. Rebecca Reimer amidst some controversy about living in a District 200 miles or so away, while collecting a owner occupied tax break for her home in Sioux Falls, it is rumored she may be entering the race for State Auditor against Catherine Barranco.

Not to split hairs or anything, but the State Auditor is responsible for dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s for State Government, and scrutinizing the manner in which state tax dollars are being spent. When you were just spanked by the voters for not having your own property tax paperwork in order.. that one would be a pretty tough sell running for an even higher office.   Oh – and I was just told a Biolata ally, Renae Randall, might also jump in that race.  Jumping in at the last minute after never being involved with the party usually isn’t a good fit.

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What else?  There’s lots more going on, and e-mails have been flying back and forth, but they’re just not ripe yet to bring up.  Keep watching this page to find out what’s happening at the – as one person just texted me referred to it – the apocalypse in Rapid City otherwise known as the 2026 SDGOP State Republican Convention!

South Dakota PUC approves merger of two investor-owned utility companies

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioners approved the merger of NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills Energy at their ad hoc meeting in Pierre yesterday, June 24. The panel heard from company representatives, PUC staff, and intervenors regarding two settlements resolving all issues, offered by the parties, and voted to grant approval of the merger.

“There are two key points I want the public to understand. First, going forward, the PUC will continue to regulate NorthWestern and Black Hills Energy individually—nothing about that responsibility changes. Second, it is important to understand what South Dakota law says about the PUC’s role in this type of proceeding. The statute directs that the commission shall approve mergers of this kind unless there is a likelihood of significant adverse impact to customers in this state. It doesn’t say we may or if we want to; it says we shall, and that distinction matters. Based on that language and the record before us, I believe approval of this merger is appropriate,” stated PUC Chairman Chris Nelson.

The commission received a joint application requesting approval of the merger on Oct. 27, 2025. Since that time, parties have engaged in extensive discovery and completed a thorough analysis. Through settlement discussions, settling parties agreed to a comprehensive set of commitments that address all concerns identified by PUC staff and provide meaningful protections for South Dakota customers. The settlement does not modify the rates, terms, or conditions under which NorthWestern or Black Hills Energy currently provide service.

“I am so grateful to PUC staff for really digging into this docket. When I first read the statute outlining our role, it appeared to set a fairly low bar. I’m thankful that our staff worked diligently to secure so many added benefits for South Dakota customers throughout this process,” said PUC Vice Chairperson Kristie Fiegen. “The extension of rate moratoriums, the assurance that shareholders—not customers—will cover merger‑related costs, and the confirmation that the companies will maintain a local presence and continue to operate and file for rates separately are meaningful additions that will benefit customers,” she added.

Under the terms of a merger agreement signed in August 2025, NorthWestern Group will become a direct subsidiary of Black Hills Corporation, which will be renamed Bright Horizon Energy Corporation upon closing. NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation will remain a direct subsidiary of NorthWestern Group and an indirect subsidiary of parent company Bright Horizon Energy Corporation. When the merger is finalized, the combined company will have an enterprise value of $15.4 billion and serve approximately 2.1 million customers across eight states.

“I am very pleased with this agreement and deeply appreciate the extensive work that all parties invested to reach this point. It is clear that it required significant collaboration and negotiation, and I commend you for crafting a historic agreement and a comprehensive package that truly benefits South Dakota,” remarked Commissioner Gary Hanson.

Laborers International Union of North America, Great Plains Laborer’s District Council, and South Dakota Laborers Local 620 were granted intervention in this proceeding and began actively participating in the docket in December 2025.

The full docket can be viewed on the PUC website at puc.sd.gov, Commission Actions, Gas & Electric Dockets, 2025 Gas & Electric dockets, GE25-001 – In the Matter of the Joint Application of NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation, Black Hills Corporation and NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc., for Approval of Merger.

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Rounds to Attend Independence Day Fireworks at Mount Rushmore with President Trump

 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that he will be attending the Independence Day fireworks display at Mount Rushmore alongside President Trump on July 3.

“I’m looking forward to attending the fireworks show at Mount Rushmore on July 3 with President Trump,” said Rounds. “In South Dakota, we don’t just climb mountains – we carve them. Thanks to President Trump and his team, fireworks will once again be displayed over Mount Rushmore for the first time since 2020, just in time for the 250th anniversary of America’s founding. There’s no better place to celebrate than at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. Thank you to everyone who has been working hard to put on a great event.”

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Gov. Rhoden Welcomes President Trump to Rushmore Fireworks!

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his attendance at the America 250 Mount Rushmore Fireworks Celebration. Governor Larry Rhoden welcomed him to America’s iconic monument of freedom.

“It is my honor to welcome President Trump to the great state of South Dakota – the freest state in a nation founded on the principles of freedom,” wrote Governor Larry Rhoden. “Together, we will throw the biggest birthday party ever for our nation and celebrate America’s legacy of freedom, liberty, and justice for all!”

The historic fireworks celebration will be held on July 3, 2026, in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the National Park Service. Governor Rhoden and DOI Secretary Doug Burgum previously signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to move forward with planning for the fireworks celebration.

Tickets are required for attendance at the event, and they were distributed through a public lottery, which ended on April 12th. More information about the event, including FAQs, can be found on the National Park Service website.

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