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Sydney Davis Announces Campaign for Re-election to the South Dakota Senate

Burbank, SD — Senator Sydney Davis announced today that she is running for reelection to the South Dakota Senate in District 17.

Davis is a nurse anesthetist, a fourth generation cattle producer, and a mom of three. She has built a reputation in Pierre for being steady, conservative, and focused on solutions that support families and communities. She has worked to improve access to health care, support local schools, strengthen the workforce, and make sure tax dollars are used wisely.

“Raising our children here gives me a clear sense of what is at stake,” Davis said. “I want them to have every opportunity to build a strong future in this state, and that motivates me every day.”

During her service, Sydney has focused on ideas that makes a real difference at home. She helped cut red tape so clinics and rural health care providers can take better care of patients, supported student teachers and school safety, and worked on policies that help grow the state’s workforce, build affordable housing, and support the families who keep our communities strong. She also worked on bills that protect kids and help families in tough situations.

A key part of her approach is bringing forward solutions that start in District 17. These efforts often begin with the people she serves. Davis listens, works with community members, and helps turn their ideas into solutions that improve everyday life.

“I am excited for the opportunity to continue serving the great people of District 17. I am grateful for the trust they have placed in me, and I will keep working hard every day to earn it,” Davis said. “I have spent my life working in health care, raising cattle with my family, and being part of this community. It gives me a real understanding of the values and challenges we face. I believe in showing up, working hard, and doing what is right for our communities, and I bring that dedication with me to Pierre.”

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Representative Kent Roe Announces Reelection Campaign for District 4 House

HAYTI, S.D. – Today, Representative Kent Roe announced his reelection campaign to continue serving District 4 in the South Dakota House of Representatives. Roe said his decision reflects his passion for the district and its people as well as his commitment to building on the important work of his first term.

“It’s been an honor to represent District 4, and our work is far from finished,” said Roe. “My focus is on supporting our agricultural economy, investing in education and public safety, and making sure our small towns have every opportunity to succeed.”

A businessman, Roe serves on the House Taxation and Transportation Committees. He has developed a reputation for a pragmatic, no-nonsense approach to problem-solving, grounded in common-sense conservative values.

Roe’s reelection campaign will emphasize five key priorities:

• Fighting for family farms and ranches;
• Supporting small businesses;
• Strengthening local schools and empowering parents;
• Backing law enforcement and keeping communities safe; and
• Creating lasting opportunities for the next

As a fourth-generation farm kid from rural Hamlin County, Roe remains active in numerous community and professional roles, including the Sioux Rural Water Board, the Professional Appraiser Association of South Dakota, Dakota Mainstem, and New Hope Lutheran Church. He also participates in the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, the Appraisal Institute, and Gideons International.

As a father of two and grandfather to several, Roe is committed to ensuring future generations can build their lives and families right here at home.

District 4 includes Hamlin, Deuel, and Grant Counties, as well as portions of Clark, Codington, and Roberts Counties.

Absentee voting begins April 17, 2026, and the Republican Primary Election will be held on June 2, 2026.

For more information about Roe’s service and priorities, please visit KentRoeForHouse.com or connect with his campaign on Facebook and X.

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Come enjoy refreshments, connect with neighbors, and hear from your District 17 legislators as they preview the upcoming session and discuss priorities for the year ahead.

Today (Thursday) at 4:30 PM in North Sioux City, Meet with District 17 Legislators Senator Sydney Davis, & Representatives Chris Kassin & Bill Shorma for a legislative update at 215 Suncoast Dr, North Sioux City, SD.

You can find out more, and RSVP here (via Facebook)

I guess we’ve seen everything now, as the committee that was just registered today for the pillow guy, Mike Lindell, for Minnesota Governor notes that his campaign is going to be chaired from Elkton South Dakota by SD Canvassing election goofball and Minnesota transplant Rick Weible and his son:

I’m guessing he’s having trouble finding anyone goofy enough in Minnesota to take that one on.

Seriously, he can keep those guys. Everyone, get the boards and nails, so we can close the Minnesota border gates!

From Facebook, State Representative Drew Peterson discusses the Governor’s Budget Proposal, and what it means for education, and South Dakota:

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When the ag economy slows—like grain farms in eastern and central South Dakota—the state economy feels it too, and this year is no exception.

The Governor’s proposed budget includes no increases for healthcare, state workers, or K-12 education after a small 1.25% increase last year. I’ll be talking with schools about how to manage this shortfall, but I’m hopeful we can find a way to support both schools and state employees before the budget is finalized in March.

On a positive note, tech schools saw good news with proposed funding for a new manufacturing facility at Southeast Tech.
Rural ambulance and EMS funding remains in crisis, with reimbursements far below costs—and no new proposals in the Governor’s budget. I’ll keep working on solutions that don’t raise property taxes.

You can review the full proposal here: bfm.sd.gov/budget/Budgets.html

The Sioux Falls Argus Leader has an article today where the Superintendent of the Sioux Falls School District is disappointed in Governor Rhoden’s proposal of 0% for education this year:

Sioux Falls School District Superintendent Jamie Nold told the Argus Leader shortly after Rhoden’s address that the way to be strong, to be safe and to be free, as Rhoden referenced throughout his address, is through education.

and..

Nold said there are many one-time expenditures in Rhoden’s budget that could go toward teacher salaries and education funding. He added he hoped people would favor investing in youth rather than investing in one-time projects.

He also criticized Rhoden’s proposal to increase the amount saved for reserves, or the rainy day fund, from 10% of the overall budget to 12.5%, and said those dollars could be used for education funding.

and..

Nold reiterated that he and other public education supporters would like to be part of legislative conversations, to help people see the work they’re doing and to invite elected officials to visit the schools.

Read the entire story here.

This is not likely to be a positive year for education aside from the tough funding year; especially considering those who want to strip public schools of funding to send them to private entities such as religious schools via a voucher program.

Stay tuned.

I noticed that the local shopper paper has a big full-page full-color election ad on the pack page.  (…because everyone looks for voter information in the shopper?)   The ad is part of a campaign to dissolve Oldham-Ramona-Rutland School District, with the proponents claiming that it’s a reorganization plan in the text of the ad.

Yet, in the header of the ad, it does offer the caveat that it’s a plan to dissolve the ORR School District.

When taken against the fact sheet provided by the District, the advertising is a bit contradictory.

The pro-side notes that the consequences of not passing it is that they’ll lose sports programs and staff.  I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if they pass that and dissolve the school district, aren’t they going to lose that anyway?  According to the fact sheet on the election put out by the district:

What does a vote FOR the reorganization plan mean? A vote FOR the plan is a vote to CLOSE and DISSOLVE the ORR School District. If passed, this decision is FINAL, and the District will be formally closed under SD Law.

What does a vote AGAINST the reorganization plan mean? A vote AGAINST the plan is a vote to keep the ORR District OPEN.

• • The number of ORR staff who will be terminated upon dissolution = 42 employees.
  • The number of ORR students who will need to enroll in other districts upon dissolution = 193 students.

I think that kind of lays it out there.

With 2 weeks left in the election, there’s not a lot of time left for the opposing sides to make their case on whether to keep the schools open, or to shut them down, fire all the teachers, and bus their kids elsewhere.

Thune: Republicans Delivered Tax Relief for Working Families

“[H]ardworking Americans can be assured that Republicans will continue to work to enhance affordability, expand opportunity, and increase prosperity.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Click here to watch the video.

Attorney General Jackley Creates Commission to Standardize Giglio Requirements Among SD Law Enforcement

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has created a commission to help South Dakota law enforcement agencies make uniform the requirements from a United States Supreme Court case regarding what evidence must be disclosed in a criminal case.

The Supreme Court ruling in the case of Giglio v. United States opined that prosecutors must disclose to the defense evidence that could undermine the credibility of government witnesses, including law enforcement officers. This disclosure is a Constitutional requirement necessary to ensure a fair trial for the defendant, as a new trial can be granted if the evidence was withheld. 

Attorney General Jackley said the Commission will review the Giglio decisions and make recommendations on how South Dakota law enforcement agencies can comply with the intent and spirit of the decisions. He said the Commission’s recommendations will be made available to all state and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors so that they may be adopted at the discretion of each agency. 

“Giglio compliance isn’t just a legal requirement, it’s the foundation of the State’s credibility in the courtroom,” said Attorney General Jackley. “South Dakota law enforcement officers have earned the public’s trust, and transparency through this Commission’s efforts only builds upon this trust. I want this Commission to review what South Dakota agencies are doing now and recommend a consistent standard in order to protect the integrity of the criminal justice system.”

Those appointed to the task force are:

• Ernest Thompson, Deputy South Dakota Attorney General
• Matt Glenn, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation
• Lt. Brandon Akron, South Dakota Highway Patrol
• Sheriff Cory Berg, Deuel County
• Crystal Brady, Chief, Vermillion Police Department
• Lara Roetzel, Pennington County State’s Attorney
• Tyler Larsen, Yankton County State’s Attorney

For the Supreme Court ruling on the case, click here:

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We have to go a ways back for this one. Former 2012 South Dakota Congressional candidate Matt Varilek is in the news in Minnesota and is apparently on the press tour with Governor Walz for Minnesota’s new paid Family and Medical Leave Law:

Minnesota’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave Law, which allows up to 20 weeks of leave and paid benefits, will take effect starting Jan. 1, 2026.

You can take paid leave to care for yourself during serious health conditions, like surgery, injury, a chronic condition, pregnancy,… pic.twitter.com/w5BPl2ZCVC

— FOX 9 (@FOX9) December 2, 2025

In case you’ve forgotten, Matt Varilek was Congresswoman Kristi Noem’s first challenger in defending the Congressional seat in 2012 that she had captured in 2010 from Democrat Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth.

That race was not without controversy, especially when it came to the advertising.   The South Dakota Republican Party produced a video (back before the party fell into disrepair) which caught a lot of attention nationally attacking Varilek, with Varilek himself promoting the piece as it noted differences between the two.

While the video caught heat from the national press, it obviously caught attention in South Dakota, as Noem was able to successfully defend her seat in a race that ended in her favor on a strong 57% – 43% basis.

In the more than a decade since, obviously all concerned have gone on to bigger and better things.

I don’t think I need to regale anyone with Kristi’s unbroken string of victories for Congress and Governor, as well as taking on the challenge of serving as the nation’s Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Varilek currently serves as the Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Employment Development for Minnesota, and had previously been the Chief Operating Officer for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).