Category: Uncategorized

More on Obama’s man with the plan for the SDGOP, Jim Eschenbaum. Don’t forget, this is the guy who wants to score Republicans.

@SoDakCampaigns

Referring back to the SD News Watch article where the SDGOP’s New Chairman Jim Eschenbaum discussed his support for former President Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012:

Eschenbaum voted for Barack Obama in 2008 because he thought electing the first Black president would help address racial tensions. He was ready to vote Republican in 2012, upset with runaway spending following the Great Recession but was unimpressed with GOP candidate Mitt Romney’s campaign and supported Obama again.

..I thought there were a couple of items worth pointing out.

Back when he was running for the chairmanship, in his letter to Central Committee members dated 1/4/25, Eschenbaum discussed how as part of his chairmanship, he noted his intent to create a conservative scorecard for telling Republicans how to vote:

7.  If the State Central Committee is on board with it, and approves it by vote, I would like to put together a committee to create a Conservative scorecard.

and..

A scorecard would inform Republican voters Statewide about who is aligning with, and protecting our Constitutional Rights and Freedoms, and who isn’t. There is no reason to keep electing politicians who don’t follow their oath and the platform. 

1/4/25 Eschenbaum Letter (you can read at link.)

But given Eschenbaum’s past support of President Obama, I also am reminded of what one pundit had to say about the 44th President:

Rush Limbaugh noted in 2015 of Eschenbaum’s guy “Barack Obama’s number one enemy is the Republican party and the Conservative movement.“

So, if Jim Eschenbaum thought so much of former President Barack Obama, who was noted as the #1 enemy of the Republican Party and the Conservative Movement, and Eschenbaum could not figure that out.. does he have the qualifications to cast judgement over who is and who is not protecting freedom as determined by the South Dakota Republican Party in South Dakota?

Just askin’

Dakota Scout: Gov. Rhoden may float county sales tax for property tax relief

@SoDakCampaigns

Interesting Dakota Scout article being pushed out this morning with regards to potential property tax relief being floated by Governor Larry Rhoden in the form of a new sales tax for counties:

Gov. Larry Rhoden is expected to make a recommendation to a task force convened by the state Legislature charged with coming up with further property tax relief initiatives in the coming days. And though the still-new governor isn’t yet sharing the details, he’s said it’s likely to entail creating a new source of funding for cash-strapped governments blamed for the recent escalation on homeowners’ tax bills. Chief among them — counties.

“There are a lot of different things we’re considering right now, but we want to present a bill that gives individual counties options,” Rhoden told members of the media during a recent news conference at the state Capitol.

Read the story here.

With a number of legislators who live or die on the “no new taxes”mantra, it will be interesting to see how the Governor intends to push this through.

SD News Watch: New GOP Chair talks about being a strong Obama supporter

@SoDakCampaigns

Have you seen all the talk on Facebook about life-long Republican office holders and activists being called RINOs (a derisive term meaning Republican In Name Only) by the group that’s now in charge of the SD Republican Party?

Let’s not forget this from November, when the crazies demanded an ideological purge of the GOP..

Their efforts in trying to purge life-long Republicans might be because they wanted a new kind of Republican in there.

While the rest of us have been out trying to elect Republicans for the last 20, 30 years or more, we find out today that new SDGOP chair Jim Eschenbaum might not have been so much on board. Especially considering he explains how he was a 2~time Obama voter; In 2008 and again in 2012:

The state GOP’s executive director, Reggie Rhoden, announced he is leaving that administrative role. It could be filled by volunteers or with more involvement from county officials, said Eschenbaum…

and

Eschenbaum voted for Barack Obama in 2008 because he thought electing the first Black president would help address racial tensions. He was ready to vote Republican in 2012, upset with runaway spending following the Great Recession but was unimpressed with GOP candidate Mitt Romney’s campaign and supported Obama again.

It was Trump’s resonance in rural America, combined with the leftward drift of the national Democratic Party, that thrust Eschenbaum into the Republican ranks.

Read the entire story here.

The Democrat party drifted leftward since Obama? I tend to think it drifted leftward with Jim’s Eschenbaum’s guy.

For those who have been trying to cast those they deem as ideologically impure Republicans out of the Grand Old Party, I’d kindly suggest “you first.”

Dakota Scout: Kristi was Right

@SoDakCampaigns

From Feb 2024, Governor Noem banned from reservations for saying that there was cartel activity on South Dakota reservations:

A year later, it looks like she might’ve been right:

Gov. Rhoden Offers Black Hills Land to President Trump for “National Garden of American Heroes”

@SoDakCampaigns

Gov. Rhoden Offers Black Hills Land to President Trump for “National Garden of American Heroes

PIERRE, S.D. –  Today, Governor Larry Rhoden sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump proposing a location in the Black Hills in site of Mount Rushmore as a location for the “National Garden of American Heroes.” You can find the letter here.

“Five years ago, in an Independence Day speech at Mount Rushmore in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, you announced a ‘National Garden of American Heroes’ to honor the greatest men and women who helped make America exceptional,” wrote Governor Larry Rhoden. “I would like to offer those same Black Hills as the perfect location for this garden. In fact, we have a plot of land available in sight of Mount Rushmore that would be ideal for this fantastic effort.”

Chuck Lien and his family own a tract of land in site of Mount Rushmore, which they are willing to donate to the project. Former Governor Kristi Noem previously offered the Black Hills as a potential location for the garden back in 2020. You can find materials on the Lien family’s proposal, including Former Governor Noem’s letter, here. Additional resources, including mockups of the proposed Garden of Heroes at this location, are available upon request.

President Trump originally announced the Garden of American Heroes in his speech at the Mount Rushmore Fireworks Celebration on July 3, 2020. He subsequently signed an Executive Order in January 2021 establishing the Garden. He signed an Executive Order “Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday” this past January, which included the revival of the Garden.

“The Black Hills mark the perfect location to achieve your vision for the National Garden of American Heroes,” continued Governor Larry Rhoden. “Together, we will make this project happen in a way that honors America’s heroes, takes advantage of South Dakota’s natural beauty, and incorporates the most iconic monument to our greatest leaders: Mount Rushmore National Memorial.”

George Washington, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Harriet Tubman, Babe Ruth, and other notable Americans from all walks of life will be among those honored in the National Garden of American Heroes.

###

Johnson Bill Prohibits 340B Health Care Facilities Savings for Transgender Surgeries

@SoDakCampaigns

Johnson Bill Prohibits 340B Health Care Facilities Savings for Transgender Surgeries 

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the No 340B Savings for Transgender Care Act to prohibit covered entities in the 340B drug program from using their savings to offer free or discounted procedures such as transgender surgeries or hormone replacement therapy.

“Transgender surgeries do not qualify as essential, life-saving health care,” said Johnson. “Low-income families and rural communities rely on programs like 340B for their health care. Ensuring these dollars are spent where they are needed the most will keep the program sustainable and as effective as possible to help those in need.”

“The 340B program was created to help safety net providers deliver vital healthcare services to America’s most vulnerable communities,” said Riley Gaines, an outspoken advocate on transgender males competing in women’s sports. “But this crucial program has been hijacked to fund and promote dangerous and elective procedures disguised as ‘gender-affirming care’ – including chemical and surgical castration. This blatant misuse of taxpayer dollars diverts resources away from the program’s true mission: addressing urgent health needs and fighting real public health crises. The No 340B Savings for Transgender Care Act is a necessary step to protect the integrity of this program and ensure federal funds go where they’re truly needed. I applaud Congressman Johnson for his courageous leadership in standing up for the most vulnerable and giving a voice to those who have none.”

The No 340B Savings for Transgender Care Act would:

  • Prohibit 340B entities from using savings derived from participation in the 340B program for transgender services.
    • This includes sex reassignment surgeries and hormone treatments for the purpose of gender alteration of a transgender individual.

The No 340B Savings for Transgender Care Act is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Austin Scott (R-GA), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Michael Rulli (R-OH), Mike Ezell (R-MS), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Barry Moore (R-AL), and John Rose (R-TN).

Read full bill text here.

Background on 340B:

Congress created the 340B program to help safety-net providers spread scarce federal resources. Drug manufacturers provide outpatient drugs at discounted prices. This in turn allows covered entities to utilize the savings from what they would have spent on full-priced medicines to provide more services for their communities. The 340B drug program is a crucial component to serving the needs of patients in rural America.

However, some entities are abusing this by using their participation in this federal program to push their gender ideology. For example, Howard Brown Health – a federally qualified health center (FQHC) in Chicago, IL – publicized that they utilize their 340B status to fund services like, “hormone therapy, group therapy, and gender-affirming surgical navigation.”

Riley Gaines is a graduate from the University of Kentucky where she was a 12x NCAA All-American swimmer. In 2022, Riley competed against a trans-identifying male swimmer, Lia Thomas, at the NCAA championships. Since directly experiencing the injustice of allowing men in women’s sports and women’s locker rooms, Riley has been outspoken on why this issue is blatantly unfair and harmful to females.

###

Gov. Rhoden Signs Agriculture Bills on National Agriculture Day

@SoDakCampaigns

Gov. Rhoden Signs Agriculture Bills on National Agriculture Day

PIERRE, S.D. –  Today, Governor Larry Rhoden signed six agriculture bills in honor of National Agriculture Day.

“Ag is King in South Dakota, and as a lifelong West River Rancher, I am deeply committed to ensuring that it thrives,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “These bills are an important show of support for the farmers, rancher, and producers who work hard to feed our communities. As long as I am Governor, I will keep South Dakota ag Open for Opportunity!”

Governor Rhoden signed the following six bills into law:

  • SB 14 revises and repeals provisions related to agricultural production facilities and provides a penalty therefor;
  • SB 120 updates the membership of the Animal Industry Board to include a poultry producer;
  • HB 1021 modifies the annual fee for concentrated animal feeding operations and establishes an application fee;
  • HB 1083 modifies the requirements for obtaining an agricultural processor’s lien;
  • HB 1116 repeals a reporting requirement regarding industrial hemp; and
  • HB 1143 requires that the director of equalization adjust certain agricultural land values.

Governor Rhoden has signed 142 bills and VETOED one this legislative session.

###

Release: Gov. Rhoden Launches the Rhoden RhoundUp

@SoDakCampaigns

Gov. Rhoden Launches the Rhoden RhoundUp

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden launched the Rhoden RhoundUp, a short video series recapping each day of his Open for Opportunity tour. You can find the first video here.

“The Rhoden RhoundUp gives South Dakotans a chance to see firsthand all the important things I am doing to keep South Dakota Open for Opportunity,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “I look forward to sharing all the exciting stops I have planned as I work with communities across the state to chase down opportunities.”

Follow Governor Rhoden on the following platforms to watch each episode of the Rhoden RhoundUp:

The Rhoden RhoundUp will be posted on Governor Rhoden’s social media pages at the conclusion of each day. It will highlight all the stops he makes on the Open for Opportunity tour, including site visits, meals in local communities, bill signing ceremonies, media interviews, and more.

###

Gov. Rhoden Signs Economic Opportunity Bills into Law

@SoDakCampaigns

Gov. Rhoden Signs Economic Opportunity Bills into Law

PIERRE, S.D. –  Today, Governor Larry Rhoden signed 10 bills to promote economic opportunity.

“South Dakota is the freest state in the nation, and our economy is unmatched,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “By signing these bills, I am ensuring that South Dakota remains Open for Opportunity and that our economy continues to grow and thrive!”

Governor Rhoden signed the following 10 economic opportunity bills into law:

  • SB 24 revises provisions relating to the promulgation of rules to set licensing and inspection fees for plumbers and related professions;
  • SB 27 revises provisions relating to licensing fees for cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology;
  • SB 31 revises amounts for inspection fees for electrical installations;
  • SB 32 revises amounts for licensing fees for the practice of accountancy;
  • SB 69 revises provisions related to trusts;
  • SB 88 increases the amount of exempt proceeds when a homestead is sold or divided by court order;
  • SB 131 establishes an electronic system for vehicle titles;
  • SB 143 modifies the composition and staffing requirements of the South Dakota-Ireland Trade Commission;
  • HB 1232 modifies requirements relating to the operation of salons and booths and to declare an emergency; and
  • HB 1245 exempts from the state sales and use tax gross receipts for certain services to a partnership.

Governor Rhoden signed SB 131 and HB 1232 at a signing ceremony at the Alliance Center in Sioux Falls, SD, during his Open for Opportunity tour.

Governor Rhoden has signed 136 bills and VETOED one this legislative session.

###