I had a reader point this out to me this morning (as I’m buried in helping Republican candidates get things out the door).
It’s interesting that South Dakota Democrats reported that while they didn’t have a lot of resources, they put a significant amount of what they have into their candidates:
$17k to Dan Ahlers, and $2500 each to all of their other statewide candidates.
Except “Not running as a Democrat for Sioux Falls Mayor” Jamie Smith. He received the most of all, at $17,500.
So, how much has the South Dakota Republican Party supported their candidates running for office? According to the report that was just filed… zero.
Wow.
SDGOP 2026 Pre-General Report by Pat Powers
They had no staff. They sent no candidate mailers. In fact, this report doesn’t seem to give any indication of what they are doing for candidates.
The Republican Party spent 3.2 k on advertising. $12.7k on “consulting.” Just under $2500 on credit card fees. And they figured out they needed money for a convention after all.
It would be nice if some of the money that people donated with the intent of supporting candidates actually made it to the candidates. But I am hard pressed to see where it did.
I do note that the SDGOP has $113,306.97 in their state account. Unless they are doing something that isn’t evident, it looks like they intend to just sit on the kitty.
And their support for candidates is more moral. As opposed to actual.