From Facebook:
Tyler Tordsen is inviting those in Pierre to an informal fundraising gathering tonight in support of his campaign for the South Dakota legislature. Stop on by! (I’m sure it will be cheaper than last night’s lobbyist event with the Gov!)
Dr. Dawn Hill Announces Campaign for District 2 House
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Today, Dr. Dawn Hill, a physician, mother, and community leader, announced her campaign for District 2 House, bringing a healer’s heart and a leader’s voice to the race.
A clinician dedicated to improving lives and strengthening families, Dr. Hill has built her career around service both in medicine and in her community. Raised in a military family, she learned early the values of hard work, responsibility, and public service that continue to guide her today.
“District 2 is a place where families can thrive, communities look out for one another, and common sense leadership matters,” said Hill. “My experience as a mother, clinician, and leader gives me the practical perspective needed to address the challenges facing the communities we serve. I’m running to help build a safer, stronger future for every South Dakota family.”
Dr. Hill served as a Registered Nurse for more than a decade before earning her medical degree from Ross University. She chose to build her life in South Dakota alongside her husband, Miguel, and their son, Stetson, committing both her professional and personal future to the state she calls home. Today, she serves as an Internal Medicine Hospitalist at a major teaching hospital and regularly volunteers as “Doctor of the Day” at the State Capitol.
Her campaign will focus on priorities grounded in conservative values, including strengthening access to quality healthcare, supporting strong families, promoting safe communities, expanding economic opportunity, empowering parents in education, and investing responsibly in infrastructure.
District 2 consists of the northeast part of Sioux Falls within Minnehaha County.
Absentee voting begins April 17, 2026, and the Republican Primary Election will be held June 2, 2026.
For more information about Dr. Dawn Hill’s campaign, please visit DrDawnHill.com or follow her campaign on Facebook.
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Something I used to more of at Dakotawarcollege was to talk about the mechanics of campaigning, and given that we’re already having one of the busiest seasons in a generation, I thought it would be valuable to do a spot on that every once in a while.
One of the things I’m getting the most questions on through my work doing campaign materials via Dakota Campaign Store right now are campaign signs. I thought it would be valuable to give a few notes and inside information about signs – such as the amount of time it physically takes to print a sign.
Because when you’re having 20 highway signs printed – time is the biggest bottleneck. It takes around 20 minutes time to print each side, more to let them de-gas a bit, etc. But take that time 2, for each side of the sign. Then take that times 20 signs…
So, here’s the first video in the series of campaign information, covering information on campaign signs and costs, from Dakota Campaign Store:
Just listened to the testimony today where the last piece of State Representative Brandei Schaefbauer’s legislative package, HB 1305, was defeated, leaving her with a 0-3 record this legislative session. Boy, a legislative seat is a terrible thing to waste.
From listening to the testimony, I got the impression she does not like reading about South Dakota politics.
However, in rebuttal to her legislation being picked apart by critics who noted that her silly legislation would make a felony out of publishing a legally required delinquent tax notice, Brandei tossed out the quote of the day, on how a legislator would never be in a certain position:
…I do understand. Yah. If you are delinquent on your, um, your taxes, then you probably aren’t going to be here, are you? You know. There is a bar that is set for us as public officials.
Why is this jogging my memory?
Whoops!
Fom KELOland over the noon hour – Marshall Selberg is out of the race for Mayor in Sioux Falls. And he’s given his endorsement to former Councilwoman Christine Erickson. From the story:
“As I’ve reflected in recent days, it’s become clear that when people who care deeply about the same future for our city compete in ways that divide, no one truly wins. I love this city and want what is best for Sioux Falls and for all of us who call it home. That conviction ultimately led me to this decision.”
In his statement, Selberg endorses Christine Erickson’s mayoral candidacy, saying “nobody works harder.”
I think there are plenty of people who would agree!
The Rehfeldt/Davis bill (HB 1056) to require that the Department of Social Services submit a federal waiver request to exclude soft drinks from the supplemental nutrition assistance program received a letter of support from an unexpected quarter this past weekend – from the White House itself:
This past Thursday, an outstanding warrant was served on former Rapid City News Anchor Shad Olson on charges that he has violated the terms and conditions of his sentence for Domestic Abuse – Simple Assault/attempt to put another in fear of bodily harm; a charge which was reduced from his arrest in January of 2024 for felony assault in conjunction with a domestic abuse matter.
The warrant, originally issued December 23, 2025, was triggered upon the court not believing that the former KOTA anchor had followed the few conditions imposed on Olson, who had received a suspended imposition of sentence. In fact, In the PETITION TO REVOKE SUSPENDED IMPOSITION OF SENTENCE filed by Tanner Jackson, Meade County Deputy State’s Attorney, the document details that Olson, pictured left in his arrest photo, failed to honor a number of the terms of his agreement for suspended imposition of sentence, according to a court document filed on December 19th:
This action had Olson seeking a new attorney in Aberdeen, who in January had filed several documents including a certificate of completion for an on-line anger management course.
The warrant was served on Olson in Stanley County.
From other documents recently filed in the case, it’s apparent that there has been a lack of communication with the attorney who had filed the documentation claiming Olson was actually complying with the court’s wishes. On February 18th, the day before Olson’s arrest, his attorney withdrew from representing him for reasons as he put it, “the undersigned attorney has since lost contact with the defendant in this case despite numerous attempts to make or maintain contact.”
(Maybe his attorney should have tried to reach Shad on Facebook? He’s been active there.)
There’s no immediate update on whether Olson has obtained representation in his criminal matter.
According to the arrest warrant, he’s due back in court in Meade County on March 24th.
Tim Hanigan Announces Candidacy for South Dakota House of Representatives, District 3
ABERDEEN, SD – Tim Hanigan, an Aberdeen business leader, engineer, and community advocate, has officially announced his candidacy for the South Dakota House of Representatives, representing District 3.
Hanigan, a Republican, is focused on bringing practical leadership, economic growth, and a results-driven approach to Pierre.
As the current CEO of the Aberdeen Development Corporation and owner of Prairie Tool Company, a precision manufacturing business, Hanigan brings decades of private-sector experience to the race. His platform emphasizes creating high-paying jobs, supporting local schools, and ensuring South Dakota remains a place where the next generation chooses to build their futures.
“As a father of two, I want my kids — and every kid in District 3 — to have real opportunities right here at home,” said Hanigan. “That means fostering an environment where businesses can thrive and keeping government practical, accountable, and focused on the people it serves.”
Hanigan’s deep commitment to the Aberdeen community is reflected in his extensive service record, including leadership roles with the SD Manufacturing & Technology Solutions Advisory Board, the Aberdeen Hardball Association, and the Sanford Hospital Advisory Board. He was also recently recognized as one of Aberdeen’s “Top 4 Under 40” in 2024.
The Republican Primary will be held on June 2, 2026, with early voting beginning April 17, 2026. Hanigan encourages all District 3 residents to engage in the process and help shape the future of South Dakota.
For more information, to volunteer, or to donate please visit www.timhanigan.com
South Dakotans Are Seeing Tax Relief
By Sen. John Thune
Who couldn’t use a little more money in their pocket? Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, there’s a good chance you’ll be seeing more money in your pocket when you file your taxes this year. Thanks to Republicans’ landmark bill, hardworking South Dakotans will see smaller tax bills and bigger refunds, and small business owners, farmers, and ranchers will also have more money to invest in their workers and operations.
Since we passed this major tax bill last year, it’s been great to hear firsthand how it’s benefiting South Dakota. Just recently, I joined a roundtable with business owners from across the state at Montgomery’s in Sioux Falls. One of the takeaways from that conversation is how this bill’s permanent tax relief provided much-needed certainty to local businesses. Permanent pro-growth provisions like the 199A small business deduction, 100 percent bonus depreciation, and lower tax rates give these businesses the certainty they need to invest in their operations, expand, and create jobs. One participant credited the bonus depreciation provision for helping his business build an addition and hire 10 employees this year.
The Working Families Tax Cuts also provided a major boost to American manufacturing. Bonus depreciation helps manufacturers invest in new equipment. Expensing for research and development helps drive innovation. And the full expensing provision for new factories and factory improvements helps grow our manufacturing sector. And these pro-manufacturing policies are at work in South Dakota. I recently visited Pivotal Health Solutions’ factory in Watertown and heard about how tax relief is helping their operations. And in Rapid City, I talked with employees at C-Lock’s manufacturing facility about the innovation happening there that supports agriculture in South Dakota and around the world.
While I was in Rapid City, I also had the opportunity to talk with auditors and accountants at Casey Peterson about how hardworking South Dakotans are benefitting from the Working Families Tax Cuts with lower tax bills and bigger refunds this year. Business owners I talk to throughout the state consistently mention that the biggest benefit from this bill for them is that their customers will have more money in their pockets. And one retiree in Sioux Falls wrote my office to share that he got more money back on his taxes this year than last year, and he’s hardly the only one. Thanks to Republicans’ landmark bill, a lot of Americans are seeing lower tax bills this year.
The Working Families Tax Cuts puts more money in Americans’ pockets. It helps to grow our economy, create jobs, and grow paychecks. It’s a recipe for a growing economy that benefits everyone, and I’m so glad to see it having a big impact right here in South Dakota.
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