Category: Uncategorized

Senators Thune, Rounds and others offer congratulations to outgoing Governor Noem

@SoDakCampaigns

There are so many congratulations being offered today to Kristi Noem for her confirmation to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, it’s hard to keep up with them all, but I will try to flag a few of them for you:

Congressman Dusty Johnson spent nearly 50k to fight Amendment G in 2024 election

@SoDakCampaigns

In a year end report that is being filed through his state political action committee, Congressman Dusty Johnson is reporting that through Dusty PAC, that this branch of his campaign effort put nearly $50k into the campaign against Amendment G in the last few weeks of October.

The PAC will be reporting $41.5k spent on a mailer in opposition to the Amendment, and nearly $6.3k on radio.

Congressman Johnson is considered a strong pro-life advocate, with high ratings from groups, including an A+ from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.

Governor Rhoden Sheds Light on Transition Preparations

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Governor Rhoden Sheds Light on Transition Preparations


PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden shed light on his preparations to assume office as the 34th Governor of South Dakota.

“Until now, I have kept my extensive preparations for this succession to myself. I would have loved to have spoken openly sooner, but the time was not yet appropriate,” said Governor Rhoden. “South Dakotans should rest assured that I’m ready to serve as your Governor.”

Succession planning began shortly after President Trump announced his nomination of Kristi Noem as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in November. Rhoden held months of briefings and meetings with Noem and a number of current and former state officials and friends. Cabinet and staff fully cooperated with Rhoden’s preparation efforts.

A photograph of Governor Rhoden can be found here.

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Attorney General Jackley Statement on U.S. Senate Confirmation Of Gov. Kristi Noem and New Governor Larry Rhoden

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Attorney General Jackley Statement on U.S. Senate Confirmation Of Gov. Kristi Noem and New Governor Larry Rhoden

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley’s statement on Saturday’s U.S. Senate confirmation of Gov. Kristi Noem to be U.S. Homeland Security Director and Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden becoming South Dakota’s newest Governor:

“Congratulations to Gov. Kristi Noem on being confirmed as Homeland Security Director. She understands the need to keep America safe, address immigration, and secure the southern border to keep dangerous drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine from entering states. We look forward to working with her in her new position.

“Congratulations to South Dakota’s new Governor Larry Rhoden. I have known Larry since he welded our ranch branding irons more than a quarter of a century ago, and I have appreciated serving with him during the years.  As Attorney General, I look forward to continuing to work with him to make our State the best in the Nation.”

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Johnson Applauds Noem’s Confirmation to Homeland Security

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Johnson Applauds Noem’s Confirmation to Homeland Security

 Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) applauded the U.S. Senate’s quick confirmation of Governor Kristi Noem to be President Trump’s Secretary of Homeland Security. The Senate voted to secure her confirmation by a vote of 59-34.

“Kristi Noem has always been a leader who takes action, that’s why I’m happy she will officially be the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security,” said Johnson. “I’ve seen Kristi make good decisions in times of adversity and disaster, and I know she will continue to showcase her strong South Dakota work ethic in her new role.”

Governor Rhoden Receives Governor Noem’s Resignation Letter

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Governor Rhoden Receives Governor Noem’s Resignation Letter

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Larry Rhoden received Kristi Noem’s resignation as Governor and succeeded to the office of Governor of South Dakota. Larry Rhoden is now the 34th Governor of South Dakota pursuant to Article 4 Section 6 of the South Dakota Constitution. A photograph of Governor Rhoden can be found here.

This succession occurred immediately following the vote by the United States Senate to confirm Kristi Noem as Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security. You can find Noem’s resignation letter here.

Further details on the succession, including a swearing-in ceremony for Governor Rhoden, will be announced shortly.

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Congressman Dusty Johnson’s Weekly Column: The Sanctity of Life

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The Sanctity of Life
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
January 24, 2025

BIG Update

Every year, thousands of babies are born alive after a failed attempted abortion, however, they don’t all receive care they need to survive. It’s truly tragic. This week, I voted to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act to require health care practitioners who are present preserve the life and health of the child born. Every child deserves a chance at life.

I recently earned an A+ rating by Susan B. Anthony’s Pro-Life Scorecard for my votes and actions last Congress.

BIG Idea

For nearly 150 years, the Supreme Court has consisted of nine justices, but in recent years, the left has pushed for packing the court to add liberal justices under a Democrat president. I reintroduced my bill, “Keep the Nine,” which would amend the Constitution to state that only nine justices are to serve on the Supreme Court.

I’ve introduced this bill every Congress, and I hope that with a GOP trifecta we can get it done to protect the Supreme Court from being used as a tool in political fights. The Supreme Court is an essential part of America’s checks and balances. It must not be abused.

Click here or the image above for Johnson’s interview on Newsmax for Keep the Nine

BIG News

My bill, the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act passed the House. This is a big deal. More than 10,000 bills are introduced each Congress, and only a few hundred receive a vote on the House floor. This is an incredible accomplishment. My bill passed with unanimous support.

I’m grateful for the help of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe to craft this legislation. The bill would preserve a section of the land where hundreds of Lakota Indians were massacred by the U.S. Army. America isn’t perfect, and I’ll admit we’ve made some mistakes. The Wounded Knee bill seeks to right one of those wrongs by protecting the sanctity of this land to remember the lives lost.

I’m hopeful the Senate will consider this legislation soon.

Click here or the image above for Johnson’s remarks

Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden: South Dakota’s Grit and Hospitality

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South Dakota’s Grit and Hospitality
By: Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden
January 24, 2025

In 1925, a group of leaders had a vision. They wanted to create something in South Dakota so grand it would draw visitors from all over the world. And they were successful! This year, we celebrate 100 years of the establishment of Mount Rushmore National Memorial, an attraction so grand it brings millions of visitors to our state each year

But people don’t just visit South Dakota for our Shrine of Democracy. They come back because of our people. Our South Dakota spirit helps them make a connection with our people, and our natural beauty satisfies their want for adventure and exploration.

South Dakota’s tourism industry is a big reason why we have been so successful, and 2024 was a big year for tourism! We once again broke the record for most new visitors to our state: 14.9 million. In fact, we broke this record every year but one since Kristi Noem has been our governor, which is a testament to her leadership and ability to tell South Dakota’s story.

Those visitors spread out to all corners of our great state. 8.7 million people hiked, biked, camped, and enjoyed our great parks system, 11% more than the year before. And 3.8 million travelers explored a National Park.

These visitors help make life just a little bit better for us here in South Dakota. Thanks to tourism, South Dakota households pay $1,100 less in taxes! When you add it all up, South Dakota’s efforts in 2024 resulted in visitor spending of more than five billion dollars. This is also a new record! And one out of every 11 jobs in South Dakota is supported by the tourism industry, which keeps South Dakota families strong.

So how is a state with less than one million people finding such great success? Simple – the South Dakotans who work in the tourism industry are always thinking up new and innovative ways to attract visitors. And when they come, we give travelers a one-of-a-kind experience to keep them coming back.

We appreciate the wonder of our great outdoors and take steps to maintain it. Travel South Dakota created the Forever 605 code to help folks “Explore all points on the map, and not overcrowd just a few of them. To travel far, but shop local. To embrace the moment, but respect the past. To let the wild be wild – and keep nature in nature. To give just as much to the 605 state as this place will give to you.”

Our people’s grit and South Dakota’s hospitality make us an incredible place to visit. We are blessed to live here and fortunate that we get to share our state with others. And to all the South Dakotans working in the tourism industry, keep up the great work!

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Majority Leader John Thune Speaks at National March for Life Rally

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Thune Speaks at National March for Life Rally

“I want you to look around, look around you today, at the tens of thousands of Americans who will march up Capitol Hill with you today, and I want you to remember, you are not alone.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at the 52nd annual March for Life rally in Washington, D.C.

Click here or the picture above to watch the video.