Author: @SoDakCampaigns

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.

 

Last week, “Dem-Independent” Brian Bengs peddled a phony poll claiming to be ahead of Mike Rounds. Just like when he pulled the same trick in 2022 before an epic defeat to John Thune.

If any other democrat vendor is looking to sell a baked poll, Bangs is in the market. @BrianBengs https://t.co/FzEgEsFxaI

— Robert Skjonsberg (@RSkjonsberg) October 16, 2026

It didn’t work then for “Senator Bengs,” either.

Now this morning, Actual US Senator Mike Rounds is out with a new poll today from Public Opinion Strategies—one of the most reputabile polling firms—showing a 17 point lead. Boom!

A new poll out this morning has me leading my opponent by 17 percent.

This election is about common sense versus crazy. Please make sure your voice is heard by voting. Election Day is November 3 but you won’t have to wait until then to cast your ballot. Early voting has started in South Dakota.

Thank you, and I appreciate all of your support.

— Mike Rounds (@RoundsforSenate) October 20, 2026

Now, we all just need to remember to show up and vote.

If you haven’t seen it yet, SD News Watch has started to trickle out poll results for their most recent poll. And it is not looking good for Dan Ahlers. At all:

Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden leads Democratic challenger Dan Ahlers 56% to 36%, according to the latest South Dakota Poll sponsored by News Watch and the Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota.

The Oct. 12-14 survey of 500 likely voters by Mason-Dixon Polling and Strategy, ranked as one of the least-biased and most-factual pollsters, also found that 51% of independents support Ahlers, while 35% support Rhoden and 14% of independents are undecided.

Read the entire story here.

But here’s the part that caught my attention the most. The name ID portion of their poll results:

An incredible 35% of the polled had no idea who Dan Ahlers is. “Don’t recognize” is a bad thing if you’re running for Governor. It’s even worse when this is a man who served 3 terms in the legislature and ran for US Senate just 6 years ago.   Yet he can’t even break 70% on his name ID?

Wow.  Dan is certainly not a bad or offensive person. But if you think about it, the resources to fight a campaign is a ticket-wide problem for Democrats. The simply lack the resources to make their candidates competitive.  This has been a problem for the Democrat party for over a decade. And when they have the opportunity to make hay – in a year when it’s a mid-term for Republicans, and the Republican President’s actions have driven gas prices through the stratosphere, this was a year when they could have captured a flag or two. But they are flat busted.

Democrat did it to themselves when they put their efforts away from party building into spending their capital of time and money on ballot issues years back. They’ve never really recovered.

Of course, the Republican Party has fallen in that trap – abandoning candidate promotion in favor of  ballot measures – so eventually it will happen to us down the line.  The most candidate promotion they’ve done so far this election is when the chairman wore a Heather Baxter t-shirt when doing the last gun drawing Sunday for the only major fundraising effort of the current chair’s tenure.  I seem to remember it was just 4 years ago when the GOP used to do slate postcards. Now a dim memory.

Republicans can take some glee in the Democrats’ missed opportunities this election.

Unfortunately, unless some things change, that could all too easily be the SDGOP in a coming election.

It’s about time for the opening weekend of the annual pheasant season, so I started to write my weekly column about that. After all, in South Dakota, hunting and enjoying the outdoors aren’t just hobbies – they’re our way of life.

But this week, I am compelled to write about something altogether different – something else that is far more crucial to our way of life: the men and women in uniform who work every day to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free.

Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Deputy Katherine Ann Frank was one of those people. She served the people of Sioux Falls with excellence. She wasn’t afraid to step into danger to protect her community. Sadly, we’re all mourning her loss after she was tragically killed in the line of duty. She lost her life doing her job: protecting the people of South Dakota. This loss is a heartbreaking reminder of the risks our men and women in law enforcement take to keep us safe.

Every time our police officers, sheriffs, Highway Patrol troopers, tribal law enforcement officers, firemen, military, and first responders put on their uniforms, they are willingly stepping into harm’s way to protect our communities. They accept a responsibility that most of us will never fully understand.

Deputy Frank was only 26 years old – yet, her life is a testament to the dedication and courage that our law enforcement officers possess. Her service is a reminder of the sacrifices law enforcement officers and their families make every day. She left behind a tremendous legacy. And her legacy has created a ripple effect across our entire state, inspiring others to rise up and make a difference.

While no words can ease the pain of losing her, I hope her dedication and service will remind South Dakotans of the people behind the badge and the responsibility we share to support them. Deputy Frank lived a life of service, and her example will continue to inspire others for years to come. Our prayers remain with her family, friends, and fellow officers as they grieve this tremendous loss.

John 15:13 tells us, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Our men and women in uniform lay down their lives every day when they run into harm’s way on our behalf. We owe them our gratitude, respect, and support – not just in moments of tragedy, but every day.

As we don our blaze orange and go out into the field this pheasant season, I encourage everyone to take time to remember and pray for all the law enforcement officers who work to keep us safe. While we gather with family and friends to enjoy one of South Dakota’s greatest traditions, they will be out serving our communities – often with little recognition.

Living in a state that is strong, safe, and free is not something we should take for granted. May we never forget the sacrifices made by those in uniform.

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Work Continues for South Dakota Farmers and Ranchers
By Sen. John Thune

It’s harvest season in South Dakota, and once again combines are rolling across fields to bring in this year’s crop. Farmers work hard all year, but harvest time really shows their strength and work ethic, and I’m grateful to the South Dakota farmers who are working overtime out in the field.

I know that times have been tough for farmers and ranchers. I hear it from South Dakota producers as I travel around our state. They have had to face headwinds from higher input costs, depressed commodity prices, and uncertainty in their supply chains, not to mention natural disasters.

When Republicans passed the landmark Working Families Tax Cuts last year, farmers and ranchers were top of mind. In addition to tax relief that benefits agriculture producers, this bill also made significant improvements to many of the programs that farmers and ranchers depend on. It bolstered crop insurance, raised reference prices for every covered commodity, and strengthened livestock disaster assistance programs.

This year, farmers are seeing the results of this bill, especially as commodity program payments go out for the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs. Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts strengthening the farm safety net and raising reference prices, South Dakota producers will see a significant increase in payments from these two programs.

The Working Families Tax Cuts was significant, but it’s not the end of our work. Advancing a farm bill remains an important priority. In September, the Senate Agriculture Committee reported out a farm bill, and it now awaits consideration by the full Senate. This bill contains a number of important priorities for South Dakota producers. It includes measures I’ve authored to increase transparency in fertilizer markets, strengthen smaller meat processors, and reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling for beef. And this farm bill also allows for the permanent, year-round sale of E15 fuel, which would help South Dakota producers and contribute to lower fuel costs nationwide.

Agriculture is the lifeblood of South Dakota, and this time of year you can really see it. Farmers aren’t done when they bring in the harvest and fill their bins; there’s always more work to do. Our work in Congress continues as well, and I’m hopeful that we’ll get a farm bill across the finish line soon.

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Memorable Moments: Leadership in Agriculture
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
October 16, 2026

As I reflect on my time in Congress, I’m reminded of the accomplishments and moments that have made these last eight years so meaningful. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be highlighting some of the work I’m most proud of from my time serving South Dakota and the people who make our state such a special place.

Monday was National Farmers Day, and I found myself reflecting on the countless conversations I’ve had with South Dakota producers at county fairs, in the fields, and in communities across our state. Agriculture is at the heart of South Dakota’s economy and way of life. Our farmers and ranchers work hard to feed and fuel the world.

That’s why agriculture has been a priority throughout my time in Congress. I’ve served on the House Agriculture Committee each of my terms in Congress, including as chairman or ranking member of two subcommittees. In 2023, I was honored to receive the Golden Plow Award from the American Farm Bureau Federation for my leadership on agriculture issues. I was also recognized as the most effective House Republican on agriculture issues in both the 116th and 117th Congresses.

Johnson receives the Golden Plow Award in 2023

This Congress, I was proud to see nearly two dozen of my priorities included in the House-passed Farm Bill. From strengthening rural communities to supporting producers and expanding opportunities for American agriculture, this legislation is full of policies that will help South Dakota’s farm and ranch families.

A handful of my agriculture bills have been implemented administratively, like the Cattle Contract Library Act, the FEEDD Act, and the Butcher Block Act, which has helped small meat processors in South Dakota like Wall Meats. I’ve also worked to get year-round sales of E15 approved in the House, which would give consumers a more affordable option at the pump while creating new demand for South Dakota corn growers.

Serving South Dakota’s farmers and ranchers has been one of the most rewarding parts of my job. Their hard work keeps our state and country moving forward, and I’ll always be proud of the work I’ve done to stand up for them in Washington.

Johnson talks with farmers at Ag Appreciation Day at the Sioux Empire Fair

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The Mike Rounds campaign is calling foul this weekend on false, negative attacks from dark money groups allied with the Bengs campaign going hard negative. Because it seems that they are leveling false attacks on US Senator Mike Rounds because Bengs is just that desperate:

Date: October 15, 2026 at 12:47:46 PM CDT
Subject: Message re: the latest attacks against Senator Rounds…

Hello friends, here is a message from our campaign…

Dear SDGOP Leaders:

We appreciate all you do and are doing to help elect Republicans in South Dakota. Your work over the next 19 days will be critical to our success on Election Day.

This morning, a Democrat dark money group from Florida launched an attack on Mike that calls into question Mike’s character. We wanted you to hear directly from us that this ad makes claims that are completely false.

I’ve known Mike for over half of my life and some of you on this email have probably known him longer than I have. I’ve always known him to be a man of integrity and honor. South Dakotans know Mike, his family and their character. I believe that these attack ads – all of them – will fall flat, but I wanted you to hear the truth from us.

The truth is that Mike voted with every Senate Republican to ban members of Congress from stock trading early this month. Every single Democrat and Independent voted against this ban. That’s noteworthy as our fake “independent” opponent said earlier this week there wasn’t a single item that came to mind that he would have broken with Democrats on and voted with Republicans. Our opponent and his Democrat friends are doing this to distract from his radical viewpoints that are out of step with South Dakotans. 

Mike has a solid record to run on. He is pro-life and received an A+ rating and endorsement from Right to Life. Mike’s opponent received an F rating. Mike is a staunch defender of the Second Amendment and received an A+ rating and endorsement from the NRA. Mike’s opponent has an F rating. Mike voted to cut your taxes, while his opponent wants to raise taxes and expand Obamacare.  The Fake Independent can’t defend his policies – so he attacks.

This election is common sense versus crazy and we need your help. Please remind Republicans in your county that early voting has started. Additionally, our team will be out in the field now through the election. If you or anyone in your county would like a yard sign, we would be happy to deliver them to you. Please fill out the link here. We appreciate all of your support.

Best,

Rob Skjonsberg
Rounds for Senate

Why are the Bengs allies this desperate? Because quietly, Bengs filed his pre-election campaign finance report. And it seems like there’s a lot of wheel spinning:

BengsPrePrimary2026.pdf by Pat Powers

Bengs reported raising $891,068.55. Except he spent $801,984.14 to get there, leaving him $145,703.12 for the last few weeks of the election. 

It reminds me of when Annette Bosworth ran years ago. She raised a tremendous amount of money.. but it cost her a tremendous amount of money. Here again we’re at a massive burn rate.

Compare Bengs’ $145,000 on hand to Senator Rounds who has $1,747,953.19 – over ten times the amount that Bengs has.

All that Bengs and his dark money allies have left is to start throwing mud at Rounds.

Because nothing else seems to have worked to date.

Gov. Rhoden Announces Brenda Tidball-Zeltinger as Interim Social Services Secretary

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden announced that Brenda Tidball-Zeltinger will serve as the interim Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS), effective today.

“Brenda brings a rare combination of expertise, discernment, and compassion. As she takes the reins at DSS, I trust that citizens will be well cared for as she focuses on elevating our programs and improving outcomes for South Dakotans,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “I appreciate Secretary Althoff’s service to South Dakota and recognize the significant time, long hours, and extensive travel he committed to leading the agency.”

Tidball-Zeltinger will follow Secretary Matt Althoff, who has led the agency since 2023 when he was appointed by former Governor Kristi Noem. Secretary Althoff will complete his service as Secretary on Friday, October 16, with a desire to spend more of his time in Sioux Falls closer to his family.

“During my time at the Department of Social Services, we have helped children, families, and so many South Dakotans through some of the most difficult times in their lives,” said Matt Althoff. “I’m full of gratitude for the opportunity to serve South Dakota in this capacity for the past few years, and I trust that the people of the Department will continue to strengthen families by fostering health, wellbeing, and independence.”

Tidball-Zeltinger currently serves as the Deputy Secretary of DSS and has 35 years of experience in state government. During that time, she has led transformative efforts across multiple areas of the department focused on modernizing service delivery and strategic use of technology. She continually supports teams to examine services through the lens of the South Dakota children and families that DSS serves.

“It has been an honor to serve the State of South Dakota. I will approach this position with the same diligence and passion for public service,” said Brenda Tidball-Zeltinger. “Social Services is there for families during some of the most difficult times in their lives, and that responsibility inspires our work every day. I am truly blessed to serve alongside employees who are committed to strengthening families through compassionate service and responsible stewardship.”

Brenda Tidball-Zeltinger is a graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Business, and lives in Pierre with her husband, Damon. They are proud parents of their daughter, Samantha. When she is not serving South Dakota families, Brenda enjoys time on the Missouri River, fall football weekends, and gathering with family and friends.

A new facebook page is up from insiders with the Re-Elect Mike Rounds for US Senate campaign to check out – the Mike Rounds War Room.

You can find it here. Check it out, as it will likely be the focal point as the campaign responds to the last minute attacks from out of staters.

Like Brian Bengs, (at least recent residents from out of state like Bengs).

You don’t see this every day.

D6 Democrat Legislative candidate Austin Wolf has been trying to stir up interest in his race. And today, he decided that he should go yell at his running mate outside KELO in a bout of “quit copying me,” as if he was a child sitting next to a sibling in the back seat of a car. From Facebook:

Not sure that’s going to be a winning tactic, as much as a whining one.