In South Dakota, there are campaign finance limits set in state law which limit donors to a maximum $4000 donation from an individual. But campaign finance can be less about rules, and more about how artfully those limits can be driven around. One mechanism is through a Federal PAC where limits are not so stringent.
Of course Dusty Johnson has a Federal Leadership PAC which he’s used as a member of Congress for several years. Rounds and Thune have one as well to help raise funds. Especially Majority Leader Thune, which he uses to help many Senate Races across the country.
In the race for Governor though, Governor Rhoden has set one up as well. Not because he wants to run for federal office, but because you don’t have to deal with those pesky state limits on what’s donated to campaigns when you’re in the Federal sphere:
Larry Rhoden Free American Fund by Pat Powers
Rhoden’s Free American Fund – as mentioned in an earlier post – sent the Rhoden for Governor campaign $85,500 this past year to help him with his gubernatorial efforts. Where did these funds come from? According to the PAC filing made recently..
- State Senator Arch Beal (Via Beal Distributing) donated $10,000 on 12/24/25.
- James Brown of Highlands Ranch, Colorado (nice place, I have a brother lives there), a partner with Charter Financial Resources was a $30,000 donor on 12/30.25
- On 12/8/25, T. Denny Sanford of Sioux Falls made a whopping $50,000 donation to the Free American Fund. Which may make T. Denny the largest single donor to the Rhoden Campaign.
Out of the $90,000 donated, $85,500 found it’s way to Rhoden for Governor, with the rest ($9890 total remaining the account) I’m assuming will remain with the party that holds the funds and for allowing his group to be used as a pass through.
Watch for the “Free American Fund” to continue to be a factor in the Governor’s campaign, and where the very, very big donors go to avoid those things like state campaign finance limits.
Campaign finance “laws” seem to be loose guidelines
Yes, campaign finance laws are long the same lines as SD codified law that says year to year education funding of CPI-W or three percent, whichever is less. Merely loose guidelines…………
Can’t hate the player for understanding how to play the game.
Bought and paid for. What else is new?
It is little wonder that one would seek to veil the truth, when a patron of great influence stands accused of deeds so dark that they cannot bear the light.
I would be very suprised if T. Denny did not also make some sizable contributions to (former Attorney General) Marty Jackley’s campaign.
Please tell me why this is acceptable to do? If SD set a $4K limit per individual, why has this loophole not been closed. Disrespect for the law simply breeds more disrespect.
What? Nothing here is illegal by any means. The $4K limit is nationwide. PACS have been used for years and years and years and years for high donors. Nothing new whatsoever.