Category: Uncategorized

Looking for a government job? Get your resume out, as Governor Larry Rhoden’s administration is apparently hiring someone to manage traffic in the office with an eye towards the legislative session:

Agency: Governor’s Office
Location: Pierre, SD
Salary: $65,000-$90,000 Annual Salary, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: Z
Closing Date: 10/15/25

This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Governor’s Office. For more information on the Governor’s Office, please visit https://www.sd.gov/cs.

Governor Rhoden’s office is seeking a Director of Operations to join a dynamic team, with the overall goal of advancing the Governor’s mission is to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free.

The ideal applicant will be a motivated self-starter who can manage multiple projects and process at once; a leader with the ability to help a cross-functional team meet deadlines; Trustworthy with the ability to handle confidential information with discretion; An excellent communicator with strategic thinking skills to solve problems.

Key/Responsibilities:

Day-to-day responsibilities will include advancing the Governor’s conservative principles to by leading processes for the Governor and team. This includes the following aspects:

• • Preparation for the Governor, Lt. Governor, and team for events and meetings requires a quarterback to bring the necessary information together and effectively communicate with all groups involved. This position is a leader of processes through a cross-functional team of internal and external stakeholders to ensure effectiveness and impact.
  • Legislative Session brings a season of challenges and opportunities for the Governor. This person is the lynch pin in several process that keep the Governor, Lt. Governor, and senior leadership team informed and prepared for each day.
  • The Governor is responsible for appointing members to hundreds of boards, commissions, and councils. This position is responsible for tracking of all the expiring board appointments and coordinating with all of the executive branch agencies for recommendations. Then, see the process through after the appointment is made, including some Senate confirmed positions.
  • This position assists the policy team with needed research and should have the ability to fill in gaps with communication and research in this function of the office, especially during the fast-paced season of Legislative Session. This includes some lobbying on behalf of the Executive Branch.
  • Given the dynamic nature of a Governor’s Office, there are other duties as assigned including events, special projects, and assisting with other needs of the team.

This individual will report to Governor Rhoden’s Chief of Staff but will also interact with members of the Governor’s senior team on a frequent basis. Travel will be less than 25% and a mix of in-state and out-of-state. 

Read the job listing and apply here.

Any applicants must be home grown, as the listing notes that they will not sponsor work visas.

From my inbox:

The (Republican or Independent or whatever) Justin McNeal for something campaign is pre-announcing that they’re going to be making a campaign announcement at Mt. Rushmore National Memorial.

Except there’s a bit of a problem with that, because the National Park Service does not permit partisan political campaigning to be conducted in parks.

We’ll see how this goes.

In case you’re not up on the latest slang which my children are more likely to utter than I am (courtesy of Google AI):

“Sus” is primarily a slang term that is short for suspect or suspicious, used to describe someone or something that seems untrustworthy, strange, or potentially deceptive. The term gained significant popularity through social media and is often used playfully or jokingly, though it can also convey genuine wariness.

I bring it up in looking at Republican candidate for Secretary of State Heather Baxter, as she brags on her website about the breadth of her legislative work:

As your candidate for South Dakota Secretary of State, I’m committed to transforming our state’s future with bold, transparent, and community-driven leadership. My priorities reflect my proven record as a state representative, where I’ve championed election integrity, supported small businesses, and served South Dakotans with unwavering dedication.

Her… “proven record?” Where she claims she allegedly “championed election integrity, supported small businesses, and served South Dakotans with unwavering dedication?”  Where exactly did she do these things she claims?  Because if you go an actually look at her record, it’s like she saw the seasons changing, and mistakenly got out her crackpot instead of her crockpot.   Baxter’s record by and large (over 80%) consists of originating legislation for the election goofballs.

Don’t believe me? Here’s a list:

Do you see anything in there on making sure Rapid City has clean water, or keeping criminals off of Rapid City streets?   How about her claim for small business? ANYTHING on jobs, economic development? Or even workforce housing? Nope. There was one bill (House Bill 1198) for a tuition benefit for dependents of deceased veterans, which was unanimously spiked by Appropriations.  But the vast majority of the bills she primed in the House had literally nothing to do with Rapid City interests, had an altogether similar thread, and all too familiar backers:

(House Bill 1145 had no proponents, because it was duplicative and discarded in favor of House Bill 1062.)  In each and every case, you have to take a serious look at who is pushing and testifying on these election bills she was carrying. Because NONE OF THEM are her constituents!

Look at the proponents – Baxter’s only role appears to be to act as a sock puppet in Pierre for SD Canvassing. Her version of serving South Dakotans with unwavering dedication appears to be fronting bills for the election conspiracy goofballs. And please take note that for the bills they tried to pass, they were opposed in all cases by at least one county auditor, the Secretary of State’s office, and others.

This should be a huge red flag that Baxter does not serve her District now. Nor does she want to run as the candidate for South Dakota Secretary for State representing the state’s 300,000 plus Republicans. She wants to run as SD Canvassing’s candidate, representing a couple dozen activists and hucksters at best.

A very good reason for most Republicans in South Dakota to consider Baxter’s candidacy as not one for SOS, but one that’s “sus.”  As my kids say.

Thune Joins Maria Bartiromo on Fox News

 “[Chuck Schumer’s] rank-and-file members shouldn’t follow his lead on this. This is where you need to separate from your leader and actually do the right thing for your constituents and for your country.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News.

Click here or on the picture to watch.

 

Democrats’ Shutdown Holds America Back
By Sen. John Thune

 At midnight on September 30, the federal government shut down. This shutdown was entirely avoidable, but Democrats chose to hold government funding hostage, and they rejected attempts by Republicans to pass a clean funding extension that would have kept the government open. And the American people are the ones left to suffer the consequences of Democrats’ hostage-taking.

Republicans are united around a clean, nonpartisan funding extension that keeps the government open for seven weeks so we can continue work on the regular appropriations process. A clean, nonpartisan extension has already passed the House, and President Trump is ready to sign it. All that stands in the way is Senate Democrats, who have rejected multiple attempts to pass this simple and straightforward bill.

Senate Democrats shut down the government because we would not give in to their demands for $1.5 trillion in partisan spending. They have demanded more money than the entire defense budget just to keep the government open for four short weeks. It’s not a credible proposal, it’s a far-left wish list. For Democrats, this isn’t about finding a way to fund the government; it’s about finding a way to show their far-left base that they’re fighting against President Trump.

Democrats may earn some praise from the far left, but I doubt the American people have many kind words. Federal employees – including members of the military, Border Patrol agents, and air traffic controllers – are working without pay. A number of federal programs and services are interrupted or at risk. A government shutdown has serious consequences for the American people. But none of that seems to matter to Democrats.

This shutdown mess holds up important work Congress should be doing for the American people. We have important, bipartisan appropriations bills waiting to be considered. The annual defense authorization bill is also on hold. Democrats have not only halted or jeopardized government services; they’re standing in the way of key legislation.

Democrats have spent this entire year with one object in mind: opposing President Trump. But their temper tantrum over last year’s election results has to stop. The American people elected President Trump, they gave him a mandate to enact his agenda, and these antics only hold our country back. Republicans are ready to continue our work; the question is whether Democrats will work with us.

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A Symbol of Freedom
By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
October 3, 2025

Recently, I got to visit one of the greatest symbols of freedom in the world: Mount Rushmore. I’ve been there many times, but I will never cease to be amazed by the power and splendor of that monument. We were there for a naturalization ceremony, which made that symbol of freedom even more powerful.

72 individuals raised their right hands and swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. In doing so, they became citizens of our great nation. It was a powerful sight, and I’m glad my friend Secretary Kristi Noem could be there with us.

Every American has a responsibility to defend our Constitution and the freedoms that it enshrines. That’s true whether you became a citizen yesterday or your family came on the Mayflower.

Take my great-great-great grandfather, who fought in the Revolutionary War and served as aide to General Lafayette. His four brothers all perished in that war. They died fighting for American freedom. Because of their sacrifice, my great-great-great grandfather got to see the dawn of our great nation. And his descendants got to share in America’s freedoms.

It wasn’t always easy. Sometimes it required them to fight – like when my grandfather fought in World War I, or when my father fought in World War II. But that’s what we signed up for as Americans. It’s what our Founding Fathers signed up for 249 years ago. And it’s what those 72 new American citizens signed up for when they swore their oath.

How fitting to hold this celebration at Mount Rushmore, where nine months from now, we will celebrate America’s 250^th birthday! I can’t wait to see those fireworks go off again, and all the more for what we’ll be celebrating: a nation founded on freedom.

I’ve often said that South Dakota is the freest state in a nation founded on the principle of freedom. That became truer than ever when my predecessor, Governor Noem, bucked the trend and stood for freedom when no other leader would during COVID. I was by her side at that time. And now that I’m serving as Governor, I am following that example. It’s one that we should all follow: protect freedom and the American Constitution, even when it’s difficult – especially when it’s difficult.

As those 72 brave new Americans complete their journey, I trust that they will take on the same responsibility to defend American freedom. It’s a duty that each of us share, whether we serve in uniform or not.

I did swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution when I joined the National Guard. I’ve sworn it many times since as I held elected leadership positions, including as Governor. This responsibility is mine – and it’s all of ours. And we must do our best to fulfill it.

Guard your freedoms jealously, and I promise to do the same for every South Dakotan.

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I’m not sure what space Marshall Selburg hopes to occupy in the race for Sioux Falls Mayor, but apparently he’s running too as we find out in a message that was sent out a short time ago

Please join us on Wednesday, October 15th at the Alliance as we kick off our Mayoral campaign at 4:00!  

Your support means so much, hope to see you there! 🇺🇸  

Marshall for Mayor ‘26

I’m not sure what the difference is between he or Jamie Smith or Joe Batcheller, but they all seem rather cookie cutter.

I don’t think Smith being a Realtor at Hegg versus Selburg being a realtor over at Keller Williams is going to move voters one way or another. And you never know, there might be another white male middle-aged real estate agent who jumps into the race, further splitting that block of voters.

Stay tuned.

The Shutdown
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
October 3, 2025

The American people expect the federal government to work for them. They expect federal programs and services to be there when they need them, and they expect Congress to make their tax dollars work for American citizens. Unfortunately, the government is not open, and it is not working as it should.

On Wednesday at midnight, the government shut down after Senate Democrats decided to hold the federal government and American people hostage over partisan policy demands. Their laundry list of demands totals $1.5 trillion – an absurd amount of money to ask for during a government shutdown. Their wish list includes health care subsidies for illegal immigrants and people making $110,000 a year. The Democrats’ decision to shut the government down is withholding the pay of hundreds of thousands of government employees across the country.

Meanwhile, the Republican proposal is simple: extend the current budget for seven weeks so the House and Senate can finish passing annual funding bills. I voted to keep the government open so taxpaying South Dakotans receive the services they’re paying for.

Shutdowns are stupid and no one benefits from them. To stop the repetitive political theater and consequences of shutdowns, I introduced the Eliminate Shutdowns Act to make sure shutdowns never happen again. Additionally, I believe Congress shouldn’t get paid when American workers like our men and women in uniform do without. I made sure I won’t receive a paycheck during this shutdown – it’s just not fair.

I’m working every day to open the government, and my team and I will be available to serve South Dakotans who need help.

If you’re wondering how the shutdown might impact you, I’ve included some updates on common government services below.

Agencies with minimal changes in services

• Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will continue to operate as normal. The processing of new benefits may be delayed.
• The United States Postal Service will not be interrupted.
• All VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers will be open. VA benefits, including compensation, pension education, and housing benefits will continue to be processed.

Where services may be impacted

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will continue to be paid. A prolonged shutdown may impact these benefits.
• Funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) may stop during the shutdown.
• National Parks may be closed to visitors during the lapse in funding. I recommend checking the park’s status ahead of any planned visit.
• Air traffic controllers and TSA will operate without pay and some delays are possible.
• Passport applications are currently taking 4-6 weeks to process for routine applications. Further delays are possible as the shutdown continues.
• The Farm Service Agency will continue to service farm loans during this time. It will provide emergency loans, but this service may be slower than usual. Local offices will be closed but an on-call farm loan officer will be available for emergencies should the shutdown be prolonged.

I will continue to work throughout this government shutdown. Please reach out to my office if you have any questions or need assistance.

Just had this sent my way, where a candidate, Bill Meirose, has announced for the seat currently held by California Carley:

Meirose, who is an ordained minister, notes in his video that he doesn’t think that California Carley’s bill mandating the ten commandments in schools is the place of the school district. So, there’s a positive alternative right off the bat.

Thune: Schumer Shutdown Day One

“We will continue to work together with our House counterparts, with the president of the United States, to get this government open again on behalf of the American people.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at a bicameral press conference with congressional Republican leadership: