Author: @SoDakCampaigns

With 30% of the votes in, and the results appearing to be a complete shellacking running about 70-30, the special election has been called by the Associated Press for Governor Larry Rhoden over Toby Doeden.

In the first few counties which are pushing in runoff results, this looks like it could be a complete rout, as several of the rural counties are coming in on a 3 to 1 basis in favor of Governor Rhoden.

If this holds true, it means that Toby Doeden has not been able to move past the 30% he received in the primary election. In fact, it may show a little backsliding as well.

From the Secretary of State’s website:

According to the Secretary of State, State Senator Tom Pischke, who is facing felony charges for falsifying election documents has withdrawn from his campaign for the 2026 election.

This triggers a process where the Republican central committee members who reside in his district (including precinct people) will select someone to run in his stead. That process begins with the withdrawal..

12-6-55. Withdrawal by nominee–Time and place of filing.

Any person nominated to any elective office may cause that person’s name to be withdrawn from nomination by request in writing, subscribed and sworn to by that person before any officer qualified to administer oaths and take acknowledgments. The request shall be filed with the officer with whom the nominating petition was filed pursuant to § 12-6-4, not later than the first Tuesday in August at 5:00 p.m. before the next election. No person’s name withdrawn under this section may be printed upon the ballots for that office unless the same person is subsequently selected to fill the vacancy in accordance with § 12-6-56.

and they are replaced on the ballot via SDCL 12-6-56:

12-6-56. Party committee–Party candidate vacancies.

If a vacancy occurs by reason of death or withdrawal after a primary election, a party candidate for public office may be chosen if a meeting of the appropriate party central committee is held and the results are certified to the appropriate official within the times prescribed by § 12-8-6.

If the vacancy is a party candidate for presidential elector or statewide office, the vacancy shall be filled by the State Party Central Committee. If the vacancy is a party candidate for public office other than presidential elector or statewide office, the vacancy shall be filled by a vote of county party central committee members in attendance who reside in the affected district.

The certification of the results shall be signed by the person responsible for calling the meeting under § 12-6-57 or the person designated to conduct the meeting under § 12-6-57.

No information is immediately available as to whether a plea agreement has been reached yet in the felony charges Pischke is currently facing prosecution for.

But it’s very likely this marks the end of his political career.

Rounds Introduces Legislation to Bolster National Security and Innovation through Quantum Technologies

Legislation codifies two pieces of Trump executive order on quantum science

 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today introduced the National Quantum Readiness Act, legislation that directs the Department of War to support the development of quantum technologies and spur private-sector innovation.

“Quantum technologies are critical to the future of warfighting at home and abroad,” said Rounds. “By codifying pieces of the Trump administration’s executive order, we’re kickstarting research and development of quantum technologies that can strengthen our defense systems. I’m pleased to be leading this legislation and look forward to working with my colleagues to get it signed into law.”

“As an emerging national leader in quantum innovation, Connecticut deserves support in this bill to promote new technology and prepare localized training,” said Blumenthal. “By prioritizing quantum technology ecosystems and developments, this bill advances both Connecticut’s technological advancements and defense workforce. It aides our military to be at the forefront of navigation and intelligence collection and our state as a bulwark of national defense.”

On June 22, 2026, the Trump Administration released the executive order (EO) Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation, which directs a “whole-of-government approach” to secure American leadership in quantum information science and technology (QIST). The National Quantum Readiness Act codifies two sections of the EO related to deploying Quantum-Enabled Sensors and Networks and Bolstering the Domestic Ecosystem for Quantum Supply Chains.

Specifically, the National Quantum Readiness Act would:

• Direct the Secretary of Defense to identify at least three next-generation quantum sensor projects within 60 days of enactment.
• Task DoD, Commerce, Energy, and NSF to develop a plan to partner with the private sector, potentially through the use of prize challenges or advance market commitments.
• Direct the Secretary of Defense to increase domestic access to quantum information science.

Click HERE for full bill text.

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If you recall Luke Blindert’s ..unorthodox.. announcement for Lt. Governor on Sunday; in the South Dakota Grassroot Conservative Republicans facebook group last night, Blindert’s delete key was not as quick as one of the reader’s screenshot buttons, as Blindert appears to have expressed some reservations over former candidate Jon Hansen which are no longer there but have still been preserved for posterity (red boxes are mine, but you get the gist):

I’m sure that will endear Luke to Team Doeden.

 Gov. Rhoden Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration after Historic Storms

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden formally requested a presidential major disaster declaration for eight South Dakota counties and two reservations in response to a mini-derecho, a tornado, and a historic windstorm.

“I saw the devastation first-hand in both Highmore and Huron from these severe storms, and I had eight state agencies on the ground to assist in the responses,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “This request would provide several million dollars in federal funding to help these communities recover. I thank President Trump in advance for his consideration and his help.”

Beadle, Bennett, Buffalo, Day, Hand, Hughes, Hyde, and Stanley Counties, along with the Crow Creek and Lower Brule Reservations, were included in the request. The request covers a storm system that went through South Dakota from June 28^th until July 3^rd. The damage estimate to public property is $4,564,928, exceeding federal thresholds for disaster assistance.

The weather produced sustained high winds and extreme gusts of 131 mph in Highmore that is being evaluated for both state and national records. The Storm Prediction Center is now classifying the June 29^th storm as a mini-derecho, which downed trees and power lines, damaged public infrastructure, and left residents without power for days.

Governor Rhoden previously declared a state of emergency on June 30, 2026, which started the disaster process by requesting technical assistance for a preliminary damage assessment by FEMA.

Damage included roads, power systems, parks, recreation areas, and public facilities, with Hyde and Beadle Counties experiencing particularly devastating impacts. Hyde County estimates $2.8 million in damages, and Beadle County accounts for almost $900,000. These two counties account for over 80% of the damages from the storm system.

If approved, the Presidential declaration would provide Public Assistance funding for repairs at a cost share of 75% federal, 10% state, and 15% local. In addition, it would make Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding available in the future.

A copy of the Executive Order is available here. A copy of the request to the President is available here. A copy of the Preliminary Damage Assessment by county and damage type is available here.

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100 Farmers and Ranchers Endorse Governor Rhoden

Pierre, SD – Today, 100 farm and ranch operations from across South Dakota launched Farmers and Ranchers for Rhoden ahead of the July 28 Republican runoff election. The coalition brings together farmers, ranchers, and agricultural families from communities across South Dakota to support Governor Larry Rhoden — a lifelong rancher who has spent decades working for agriculture and rural South Dakota.

“South Dakota agriculture isn’t just an industry to me. It’s my life,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “I grew up on a ranch and raised my family on that same ranch. While being Governor prevents me from doing ranch work as much as I’d like, I understand the work. There’s meaning to working with your hands to make something – and there’s a risk and responsibility that comes with making a living off the land. I understand that because I’ve lived it my entire life.”

As governor, Rhoden has made strengthening agriculture and rural communities a central priority of his administration. He has defended private property rights, expanded opportunities for South Dakota producers, supported value-added agriculture, strengthened rural infrastructure, and ensured that state government understands the challenges facing farmers and ranchers.

Rhoden said the support of fellow farmers and ranchers is especially meaningful to him: “I’m honored to have the support of these 100 South Dakota fellow ag producers. These families feed the world, sustain our rural communities, and carry on South Dakota’s way of life. Ag will remain king in South Dakota for as long as I am Governor.”

The members of Farmers and Ranchers for Rhoden include:

• 3J Cattle Company, Midland;
• Aamot Farms, Lyman County;
• Anderson Ranch, Lemmon;
• Andrews Ranch, Red Owl;
• Arcadia Farm, Ward;
• Benson Hay Farm, Hurley;
• Brian and Sandra Beyers, Roscoe;
• Bieber Red Angus, Leola;
• Chad Blindauer, Mitchell;
• Bogue Farms, Lincoln County;
• Bolton Ranch, Dallas;
• Walt Bones, Parker;
• Bones Hereford Ranch, Parker;
• Jacob and Kassie Boomsma, Hitchcock;
• Joel and Dianne Brandt, Clear Lake;
• Casey and Francie Brink, Union Center;
• Lynn Broadwine, Baltic;
• Bruns/Olen Farms, Falling Feathers Lodge, Warner;
• Butzer & Sons LLC, Alcester;
• Callen and Sandrine Brink, Union Center;
• John and Melanie Cammack, Cammack Buffalo Ranch, Stoneville;
• Cammack Ranch, Union Center;
• Deering Ranch, Hereford;
• DeWaard Farms, Armour;
• Diamond Farms, Davison County;
• Diamond W Land and Cattle, JD, Tina & Ben Wangsness, Hand County;
• Justin and Nicole Dikoff, Onaka;
• Doerr Farms, Gettysburg;
• Eagle Pass Ranch, Highmore;
• Cody and Sarah Edgar, Rockham;
• Chris and Kristi Efling, Highmore;
• Scot Eisenbraun, Eisenbraun Farm Partnership and Eisenbraun Cattle Co., Wall;
• Even Farms, Humboldt;
• Jim and Carol Faulstich, Highmore;
• Foster Hog Farm, Garden City;
• Randy and Cindy Frederick, Hayti;
• Travis and Renae Gebhart, Meadow;
• Glen Spring, Triple S Land & Cattle, Union Center;
• Bob Goodnow, Armour;
• Grand Slam Pheasant Hunts & Cody Korzan Farms, Kimball;
• Grant & Nancy Simons, White Owl;
• Troy and Stacy Hadrick, Hadrick Farms, Faulkton;
• Hadrick Ranch, Faulkton;
• Hainy Farms, Jerauld County;
• Hexad Farms, Parker;
• Jim and Joni Hunt, Dupree;
• Mike Jaspers Farms – Hutchinson, McCook and Marshall counties;
• Jensen Farms, Clay County;
• Jerry and Stephanie Sauder, Bryant;
• Judge & Lisa Jessop, Presho;
• Jarrod Johnson, Minnehaha County;
• Ketelhut Farms, Pukwana;
• Klumb Farms LLC, Davison County;
• Jared and Katie Knock, Willow Lake;
• Krogstad Brothers Farm, Minnehaha County;
• L&L Thompson Ranch, Glenham;
• John Lake, Lake Farms, Gettysburg;
• Lakeview Ranch, Pierre;
• Lakness Land and Cattle, Hayti;
• Lazy TV Ranch, Selby;
• LeBrun Farms, Colman;
• Jim Lintz, Hermosa;
• Madsen Ranch, Midland;
• Marvin Post, Brookings County;
• MDM farms, Parker;
• Travis Mockler, Centerville;
• Todd Mortenson, Mortenson Cattle Company, Hayes;
• Lyle and Garnet Perman, Rock Hills Ranch, Lowry;
• Lyle Perman, Rock Hills Ranch, Lowry;
• Peterson Farms, Salem;
• Prairie Home Angus, Prairie Home Enterprises, Faith;
• Propst Farms, Corsica and Winner;
• Prouty Pork & Land Co., Hamlin County;
• John & Linda Rittberger, Fairburn;
• Kevin and Holly Robling, Pierre;
• Roe Farms, Hazel;
• Roseland Ranch and R&R Pheasant Hunting LLC, Faulkton;
• Brett and Karen Runge, Wessington;
• Runia Farms, Hamlin County;
• Greg Ryken, Yankton;
• Sandcreek Partnership and Roberts Farms, Stanley and Lyman counties;
• Jim Schmidt, Lincoln County;
• Dave Scott, Geddes;
• Derrick Scott, Geddes;
• Scott Menning, Corsica;
• Travis & Melissa Shaffer, Hayes;
• Jim and Jodi Shaw, Shaw Ranch, White Owl;
• Les and Ann Shaw, White Owl;
• Kevin Smalley, Hills View Lodge, Eureka;
• Chuck Spring family, Diamond S Ranch, Union Center;
• Steve Breding, Chamberlain;
• Stockmen’s Livestock, Yankton;
• Stomprud Angus Ranch, Meade County;
• Symens Bros., Amherst;
• Tammy Basel, Union Center;
• The Lemmel Ranch, Mud Butte;
• Tim Hammel, Hammel Ranch, Fall River County, Fall River County;
• Tweet Farms, Madison;
• Waletich Farms, Britton;
• Wipf Grain Co, Spink County;

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

Learn more about Governor Rhoden’s results to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free at RhodenResults.com.

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Don’t you hate it when your convention results stink?  What do you do?

Really. What do you do? Republicans are saddled with Heather Baxter for Secretary of State, and I’m sure I’ve got a potted plant around here or one of my dogs that could fill in nicely.  But it doesn’t work this way. The majority has spoken. The results were certified, and we all move forward.

Except in the case of the State Democrat party. They’re having what you might call a “do-over” convention and they’ve provided notice to the Secretary of State that they’re getting together via zoom to make it happen:

The rumor is that they are going to try to fill the blank spot in the Attorney General race they left empty. And who knows, maybe they could dump some of their turkey candidates and put better ones in there.  But doesn’t that kind of go against Democratic principles?

Noting the language in their 7/20 letter…

ln accordance with SDCL 12-5-17, this letter serves to notify the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office that the South Dakota Democratic Party will convene its biennial State Convention on Monday, August 10,2026 at 7:00 P.M. CDT.

This is not the first time they’ve cited this law. Because here’s the prior notice..

In accordance with SDCL 12-5-17, this letter serves to notify the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office that the South Dakota Democratic Party will convene its biennial State Convention on Saturday June 6, 2026 at 12:00 P.M. CDT. The 2026 South Dakota Democratic Party State Convention will take place at the Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel located at 3200 W Maple Street in Sioux Falls.

Two conventions? What does the law they’re citing – 12-5-17 have to say about it?

12-5-17. Biennial state conventions–Time and place–Notice to secretary of state.

Each political party shall hold a state convention in each even-numbered year for the purposes stated in § 12-5-21. The state central committee of each political party shall determine the time and place of the convention. The chair of the committee shall notify the secretary of state at least fifteen business days prior to the date chosen.

Read that here.

Following the nomination is the certification of candidates:

12-5-22. Majority required for nomination by convention–Certification to secretary of state.

Nominations by a state convention shall be made by a majority vote of the votes cast and shall be certified to the secretary of state by the officers of the convention, within three days of the close of the convention. No certification may be received by the secretary of state later than the second Tuesday in August.

Read that here.

In fact, here’s the document they filed:

Looking at SDCL 12-5-17, here’s what I notice..

Each political party shall hold a state convention in each even-numbered year.

In a plain reading of the statute, I take a State Convention to be singular. As in one.     Giving further support to the finality of the convention, I look to that second statute, 12-5-22.

Nominations by a state convention shall be made by a majority vote of the votes cast and shall be certified to the secretary of state by the officers of the convention, within three days of the close of the convention.

Which they did, as they certified the results of the convention after the close of the convention.

Yet now South Dakota Democrats want to come back for another bite at the apple and to have another convention. I’m not familiar with any precedent for a political party conducting dual-conventioning when they decided they didn’t care for their results and sought a do-over.

If that’s the case, why haven’t we had it successfully happen in the past?  This looks like the party bosses trying to substitute their judgement for those of the broader Democrat flock.

I have no doubt that this will end up in court potentially delaying the ballot as it’s fought over.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – LOOKING BACK & AHEAD
by State Sen. Glen Vilhauer

The South Dakota Legislature Joint Committee on Appropriations met recently to get a financial update on the State’s financial situation. Two main items were on the agenda-one looking back and the other looking forward.

The state’s fiscal year ended on June 30th and reflected a surplus of $69 million. This resulted from revenues being $30M than estimated and expenditures being $39M less than budgeted. Sales tax growth of 6.6% for the year was the main driver of the revenue increase. Unspent funds of $32M by the Department of Social Services accounted for the largest component of the expenditure side of the equation. While significant, this surplus deviates only about 2.5% from the overall budget for the year. It is a budget that is mandated to be balanced and is also prepared 15-16 months ahead of time. I would like to compliment the staffs of the Bureau of Finance and Management (BFM) and the Legislative Research Council (LRC) for guiding the legislature throughout the budgeting process and bringing us across the finish line so close to actual. I have been asked recently on a number of occasions as to what happens to this surplus? This excess will remain as part of the state’s general fund reserves to be used as the need arises for possible future expenditures. A couple recent examples is the funding of the new prison currently under construction and a recent transfer of $56M to jump start the property tax reduction brought about the decision to allow the sales tax rate to revert back to 4.5% starting next July 1st. Without these reserves the state would not be able to take advantage of options deemed necessary by the governor and legislature.

Now that the 2026 fiscal year is behind us we turned our attention to the 2027 year which ends on June 30th of next year. As mentioned before, the state is required to operate on a balanced budget, and this was passed by the legislature and signed by the governor late during the recent legislative session. The revenue forecast adopted would require an overall 1.5% increase in revenue with a needed sales tax increase of 3.0%-3.5% to accomplish this. Again, the numbers utilized for this forecast were projected 15-16 months ahead of some months of the new year. We need to keep our fingers crossed that the strong performance that we have experienced since the beginning of this calendar year carries over in future months. BFM and LRC staff will be closely monitoring this as the year unfolds and will keep the governor and legislature updated on a regular basis.

A few other items that were brought to our attention and briefly reviewed:

• The State maintained its AAA credit rating as determined by a couple of the key credit rating agencies. This is critical if the state needs to borrow money and also benefits counties, cities and schools if a borrowing need arises.
• The South Dakota Retirement System also finished a strong year with earnings on its investments of 11.9% while remaining 100% actuarially funded. This remains one of the strongest public retirement systems in the country for the benefit of the 100,000+ members covered.
• Per capita spending as measured by the general and other funds activity is $1,200 lower than any of the other states in our surrounding area.

In general, this reflects a state that is on solid financial footing and is being well managed by those involved in its operations. This includes multiple audits on various aspects of state finances. We heard a lot of rhetoric throughout the recent primary election cycle about the financial status and operations of our state finances. It was reassuring to hear from those that are closest to the numbers that the sky is not falling and that our citizens’ dollars are being spent prudently. Many states cannot say that. We can!!!

(no, really. I don’t think this is a joke – pp)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Luke Blindert Announces Bid to Serve as Toby Doeden’s Lieutenant Governor

Sioux Falls, SD — July 26, 2026 — Luke Blindert today announced his intention to serve as Republican gubernatorial candidate Toby Doeden’s choice for Lieutenant Governor, saying South Dakota Republicans deserve a leadership team that is prepared to lead boldly and decisively. With Representative Jon Hansen choosing not to join Toby Doeden’s ticket, Blindert said he is stepping forward to fill that role.

Blindert said he believes Republican voters deserve a running mate who is willing to make a decision, stand beside Doeden, and publicly commit to the race instead of remaining on the sidelines while others speculate about what comes next.

“You know what I think of this whole thing?” Blindert said. Blindert said he is prepared to serve as Lieutenant Governor if selected by Doeden and believes the Republican ticket should be settled so voters can focus on choosing the next governor of South Dakota.

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