Category: Uncategorized

Service and Sacrifice
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
March 28, 2024 

BIG Update

March 29 is Vietnam War Veterans Day, a day on which we remember and honor those who served in the Vietnam War. Earlier this week, I had the privilege of meeting 24 men and women who served our country during the Vietnam War era. Since 2019, I have been participating in the Vietnam Veteran Commemoration Program to honor and give a warm welcome home to Vietnam-era veterans, including many who were never greeted properly when returning after the war. Through this program, I’ve heard the stories of nearly 1,000 veterans who sacrificed for our country. Whether one served as a fire control technician, heavy duty diesel truck mechanic, torpedoman, or flight surgeon, each individual’s story is impactful. Join me in thanking them for their service. It’s never too late to do so.

BIG Idea

Accessibility to health care is crucial, and rural South Dakota knows that well. Thankfully, providers such as Prairie Lakes do a great job ensuring South Dakotans receive quality health care. Prairie Lakes provides care for 90,000 people in South Dakota and Minnesota and recently made the National Rural Health Association’s Top 20 rural and community hospitals. During my visit this week, we discussed the importance of software infrastructure, caring for all individuals, and delivering services to patients.

BIG News

You may have seen the news of the cargo ship colliding with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, causing it to collapse. I’m grateful for the first responders at the scene working to carry out search and recovery efforts.

Conversations have begun on what the impact of this devastating event will have on our supply chains. The Port of Baltimore handles over $80 billion of foreign cargo each year and is a hub for autos, coal, and machinery. Adjustments are already being made to reallocate cargo and ensure the supply chain keeps moving in hopes disruptions will be as minimal as possible. My team and I will continue to monitor this situation as more information becomes available

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Growing in Faith: Celebrating Easter
By: Governor Kristi Noem
March 29, 2024

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” -Matthew 28:6

This week, we celebrate the holiest day in the Christian calendar – the day of Jesus’ resurrection. Christians around the world are celebrating God raising our savior from the dead, granting us our salvation, and marking the beginning of a new hope for our faith.

Easter is the perfect time to spend with the people that we love most. In recent years, Bryon and I have spent our Easter Sundays hosting the annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Governor’s Residence. While we have had some great times with the kids at the Easter Egg Hunt, I think my favorite Easter memories were spent back at the ranch with my family.

Most of our Easters were spent waking up, the kids opening their Easter baskets, going to church, and then gathering as a family for lunch and spending the afternoon together. Unless, of course, there was a blizzard or bad weather – then we were home caring for our cattle and working together as a family to support our livestock and the family business. I have a very vivid memory of a bad blizzard on Easter Sunday right after Bryon and I were married. At one point, my dad turned to me and said, “I’ve never seen work as hard as this.” I was shocked. I though, “wow, my dad works harder than anybody I’ve ever met. And if he’s never seen work like this before, we must really be working hard!”

I could go on and on about all the memories I have to look back on from Easter Sundays spent with my own family. And while it is great to reflect on the past, I have always thought of Easter as a time of new beginnings – a time to look towards the future, as well.

Jesus’ death and resurrection is the ultimate symbol of new beginnings. This historic event started the Christian faith, it started the church, and it marked the beginning of mankind’s reconciliation with God. Because of the events of Easter, all of us who have faith in Jesus Christ have hope of new life.

Easter also typically falls around the beginning of spring – yet another symbol of new beginnings. Of course, here in South Dakota, we still have snow on the ground. We just had a pretty brutal winter storm. Fortunately, it was not as bad as it could have been. And I was happy to see and hear about so many folks across our state embracing the spirit of the Easter season and lending their neighbors a helping hand. Whether it’s people helping an elderly neighbor shovel their driveway, or a small town coming together to help their farmers care for their newborn calves during the winter weather, I have seen so many helping others. It makes me proud to be a South Dakotan.

But hopefully we will soon see the snow and ice thaw and the grass and flowers grow and bloom. I hope that this Easter we can all remember that because the work of Jesus, we are no longer bound by death, but we can grow in faith and love just like the flowers will grow as spring comes.

Bryon and I wish everyone a very happy Easter. God bless you.

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We have a new Dusty Johnson for Congress ad on the website today!  Please give it a click and support Congressman Dusty Johnson, the Republican candidate for Congress in November.

And just a passing thought for the anti-incumbent haters who are busy crying in their Easter candy this morning because none of their train-wreck candidates appeared to have collected sufficient signatures from Republicans to be candidates in the primary.

In addition to being Principled, Effective, and Conservative, and noting that Dusty has 70+ votes to secure the border, an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association, and a 100% score from Right to Life, I think the ad could use one more thing for those guys.

Maybe they should have added – “On the Ballot”  for the haters. You know, unlike their candidates who didn’t make the ballot.

I’m not sure that the anti-incumbent haters could pick up the subtleties of that without someone pointing it out to them.

I don’t want to say I told you so.. but I told you so.

On the eve of the “transgender day of visibility”…  er, Easter, a facebook group, the so-called South Dakota Grassroots Conservatives, an organization which recruited people to run against incumbent Republicans last election – and is still attacking incumbents – is having a public freak out tonight and howling to their followers that neither Justin McNeal, who has been Republican for about 2 months, nor the even wackier Chris Sanders, made the ballot for the 2024 South Dakota Republican Primary for Congress.

According to their reports:

I kind of doubt that GOP troll Julie Korth is privy to any conversations that the Congressman may or may not have, especially considering she’s one of the driving forces behind this anti-GOP officeholder group.

But it would be breaking news that Justin McNeal failed to get on the ballot, due to a failure to get petition signatures from Republicans. But not terribly surprising, since he only became Republican in the middle of January.

Here’s more from the anti-GOP Officeholder group:

Interesting that Minnehaha County GOP Vice Chair Jennifer Foss seems to be so involved in trying to find challengers to incumbent Republican Congressman Dusty Johnson. I thought that was against the rules for GOP County Officers?

Chris Sanders not making the ballot wasn’t surprising, since his effort seemed like a clown car to start. But then again, neither was McNeal not making the ballot.

Signature collection is not as easy as a lot of people tend to think it is. I’ve been around the block a couple of times, and every once in a while involved with getting statewide signatures.

I can safely say that sometimes getting the petitions back, witnessed, notarized properly, and sent in can get down to the wire and problematic.

But don’t just take my word for it – ask Annette Bosworth, or Clayton Walker.

Wendy Kloeppner Announces Re-Election Campaign for Lake County State’s Attorney 

Madison, SD – Wendy Kloeppner announced today her intention to run for re-election as the Lake County State’s Attorney in the Republican Primary. Kloeppner was appointed as Lake County State’s Attorney in February 2018, and was subsequently elected to the post later that year and again in 2020, where she currently serves.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve as the Lake County State’s Attorney since 2018. As the chief prosecutor for Lake County, I am committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the citizens in our community by rigorously prosecuting crimes and safeguarding children from harm.

As your State’s Attorney, I have been dedicated to making the most serious offenders accountable to their victims and our community at large for their actions. We are all safer when those who use illegal drugs, drive intoxicated or seek to hurt our children are off the streets.  I am committed to keeping Lake County a safe place to live, while responsibly using the resources given to me by the County Commission.” – Wendy Kloeppner, Lake County State’s Attorney.

Kloeppner’s law enforcement experience includes:

• Lake County State’s Attorney (2018-present)
• Hughes County State’s Attorney (2013-2018)
• Hughes County Deputy State’s Attorney (2009-2013)
• Meade County Deputy State’s Attorney (2007-2009)
• Butte County Interim State’s Attorney and Deputy State’s Attorney (2003-2007)
• Board Member, South Dakota State’s Attorney Association (2014 – 2016), (2018 – 2019), (2021 – 2024)
• Advisory Board, University of South Dakota Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment (2016-to present)
• South Dakota Unified Judicial System Committee on Indigent Defense – (2015-2019)
• Member, South Dakota Legislature House Bill 1064 – Indigent Legal Services Task Force, appointed by South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley (March-October 2023)
• Member, South Dakota Open Meetings Commission, appointed by South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley (January 2024-present)

“My commitment to prosecuting crime and protecting children in Lake County has been proven by my actions, not just my words. If re-elected, I will continue to work tirelessly to speak for those victims who cannot, and to ensure Lake County remains a safe place to work, go to school and raise your family.” – Wendy Kloeppner, Lake County State’s Attorney.

Kloeppner is a graduate of Bemidji State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Writing, with a minor in Business Administration. She received her law degree from the University of South Dakota School of Law. After Law School, Kloeppner served as a law clerk for Justice John K. Konenkamp (retired) of the South Dakota Supreme Court. She began her career in law enforcement in 2003 as Deputy State’s Attorney in Butte County. She has worked as a Deputy State’s Attorney in Meade and Hughes County. In 2013, Kloeppner was appointed State’s Attorney for Hughes County, winning re-election in 2014 and 2016. In 2018, Kloeppner was appointed Lake County State’s Attorney and was elected in that same year, and again in 2020.  In addition to being a member of the South Dakota bar, she is also a member of the bar of the United States Supreme Court.

Kloeppner enjoys the outdoors and can usually be found working on landscaping projects in her yard. When she is not outdoors, she enjoys reading, especially mysteries and true crime books.

AMBER HULSE ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR SOUTH DAKOTA NATIONAL RNC COMMITTEEWOMAN, RECEIVES KEY ENDORSEMENTS

[Hot Springs, South Dakota, March 28] – Amber Hulse, a budding election law attorney and dedicated advocate for conservative values, has officially announced her candidacy for the position of National Committeewoman for the Republican National Committee (RNC) representing South Dakota. With a steadfast commitment to the principles that make America great, Hulse enters the race poised to bring a fresh perspective and proven leadership to the forefront of Republican politics.

In a strategic move reflecting her unwavering dedication to party unity, Hulse’s announcement comes as Denise Maher, the previous candidate, has stepped aside from the race and offered her full endorsement to Hulse. Maher’s decision underscores Hulse’s ability to gain broad support within the Republican community.

Moreover, Hulse’s candidacy has garnered significant momentum with endorsements from prominent figures within the GOP. Notably, Harmeet Dhillon, esteemed attorney, and legal advisor to President Trump, currently serving as California’s National Committeewoman, has thrown her support behind Hulse’s campaign. Dhillon remarked,

“Amber Hulse epitomizes the dynamic leadership the GOP needs – astute and dedicated in upholding the rule of law. As a bright, future election lawyer, she not only embodies the vibrant future of our party and nation, but also possesses a deep understanding of the challenges facing our party. Her tenure in the Trump White House, coupled with her impressive credentials as a Georgetown Law graduate, and her service as a law clerk on the Senate Judiciary Committee for Josh Hawley and Governor Kristi Noem, uniquely position her as the ideal candidate for the position of National Committeewoman. I enthusiastically endorse her candidacy and am eager work alongside her and witness the transformative impact she will undoubtedly bring to the RNC.”

Additionally, Turning Point Action, the leading conservative youth organization, has endorsed Hulse’s candidacy, recognizing her as a champion for the next generation of Republican leaders.

In response to the outpouring of support, Hulse expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, stating, “I am humbled by the overwhelming support I have received from my fellow Republicans. As South Dakota’s next National Committeewoman, I am committed to amplifying the voices of South Dakota Republicans and advancing our shared conservative values within the RNC.”

With a track record of success and a vision for a stronger, more unified Republican Party, Amber Hulse stands ready to represent South Dakota with integrity, dedication, and firm commitment to conservative principles.

For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact: Press@amberhulse.com

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Boy.. with all this time on my hands now that I’m not doing the Republican party newsletter, I find myself exploring topics I never really had time for. You know, idle hands are the devil’s workshop. So I try to make productive use of my downtime.

Remember the story when Tom Pischke complained that he had some real issues with the amount of child support he was paying when it was proposed to raise the amount his children receive for food and living expenses? From KELOland in 2022:

Representative Tom Pischke, R-Dell Rapids, fought against the changes. “The non-custodial parents are already having a hard time paying,” he said.

Pischke currently pays about $1,200 for three children, he said, and his payment would go up about $300 under the new schedule.

“That’s going to hurt me personally,” he said, his voice cracking. 

Read that story here.

From the sounds of things, Poor Tom was financially strapped.  Thankfully since then, it appears that his fortunes have turned around as just a few months ago, he was singing the grammatically incorrect praises of his real estate agent as he dropped a bunch of cash on a 4-plex apartment complex:

And it wasn’t just a small rental. “Poor” Tom dropped about $300,000. And in case you were interested, here is the commercial property he found to spend his money on:

If you want to see a picture of it, you can find it on Zillow at this link.

Interesting that poor, destitute Tom who couldn’t afford $300 for his children’s welfare in that 2022 story is now a real estate mogul. I guess I never realized that, because his last statement of financial interest as an elected official – an official document filed with the state –  never brought it up.

And in fact, on his statement of financial interest that was just filed this last week as a candidate… it’s still not disclosed:

If you go looking, despite the fact he skipped that whole apartment complex stuff on his financial disclosure form, Tom has his name on an LLC filed with the South Dakota Secretary of State, which has been around since September of 2022 – three months before he filed the first form above. And where on the form it talks about income if his family controls more than 10% of the stock, they control 100% of it. So depending on what came in from it, there’s a good possibility his Real Estate Holding Company should have been on there.

On the Secretary of State’s website, you can pull up the documents for “Berkley Property, LLC.”

Berkley LLC by Pat Powers on Scribd

Kind of interesting this corporation has been around this long, but never mentioned, despite Tom being required to file financial disclosures in case he might have a conflict of interest.

So, despite the poverty he professed in 2022, Tom seems to have had enough money to start buying up apartment buildings. And maybe fudging about disclosing that fact. We’ll have to keep watching, and see what else he might not be 100% accurate on when he brings it up.

I know I’ve got the time on my hands to do some fact checking.

Weekly Column: Historic Wins and Looking Forward
by Senator Casey Crabtree, Senate Majority Leader

MADISON–The 99th Legislative Session officially adjourned this week and work has begun on the 2025 session and a celebration of the 100th regular Legislature Session. Looking back on 2024, the House and Senate enacted impactful policies and we collaborated in an unprecedented way with each other and the Governor. The result: 233 bills passed and 233 bills signed into law—no vetoes.

That’s right. For the first time in decades, South Dakota’s Governor didn’t veto a single piece of legislation. This is incredibly atypical and has only occurred a handful of times since statehood. I credit this to the work that both chambers did to put legislation in the best possible form before sending it to the Governor’s desk.

The credit for a smooth session process-wise without unnecessary drama and a full slate of new laws is a credit to the quality of the public servants in the Legislature. My thanks to all of the legislators–especially the Senators–who take time away from their families and careers to help make their districts and our state better.

If this Legislative Session had been a basketball game, it would not have been a nail biter. This session was characterized by hard work, sound judgment, and collaboration. It might not have resulted in splashy headlines, but it was full of good outcomes for the people of South Dakota. In the weeks ahead, we’ll dive deeper into policy areas and talk about the results of the Legislature’s hard work.

Work for the next session is also already underway. Two summer studies were approved this week for in-depth studies to produce a better understanding of issues and develop legislation as necessary. The first group will look into the methodology and the constituency of the application of property tax assessments.  While the Legislature has researched and enacted tax relief, we need to always make certain that property taxes are fairly assessed.

The second summer study group is regarding artificial intelligence and online age verification. This study will look into the state’s authority to regulate access by minors on global social media platforms and internet websites, including age verification applications. It will also examine if regulation is necessary for the use of AI by private citizens, corporations and even government agencies.

As we march forward with an eye to 2025, I invite you to reach out to me with your ideas and concerns facing our great state. Government in South Dakota works well because it’s close to the people. Your ideas can produce results, and I look forward to hearing from you in the weeks and months ahead.

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Todays legislative session was just like the episode of Seinfeld where they introduced the world to Festivus.  You know, Festivus, where among the many activities is an “Airing of grievances.”

So, just like Seinfeld, with equal sitcom hilarity, at the end of today’s extremely brief and veto-free session, Senator Julie Frye Mueller of the inappropriate breastfeeding and vaccination advice decided today was the day to strike back at Senate Leadership and air her grievances by reciting the Julie Frye-Mueller manifesto!

Even though, no one really cared. You can watch it here:

It starts around 8:40 in the video clip, where you’ll see Frye-Mueller is cut off by leadership, because no one really wants to sit and listen, and they’d rather hear a prayer, and adjourn.  But it doesn’t end there.

Because following sine die, about 11:30 in.. JFM gets up and continues to read her resolution, until Public Television turns off the cameras and goes home.

You never know. She could still be there barking in the wind, and declaring how she was wronged.  First by Senators Schoenbeck & Crabtree (and about everyone else in the Senate) and now by Public Broadcasting.

The lights turn off, and she’s talking to no one. Kind of an unglamorous ending to an unremarkable legislative career.

I’m updating my 2024 candidate list as quickly as I can.. That’s where you want to go for the latest.

And I’m sure it’s going to be coming fast & furious all week, with people dropping petitions in the mail, due to weather.  Right now, we have Senate primary contests in:

D3 Senate, D4 Senate, D8 Senate, D9 Senate, D11 Senate (Dems), D16 Senate, D17 Senate, D18 Senate, D21 Senate, D23 Senate, D25 Senate, D27 Senate, D28 Senate (If Peterson files), D29 Senate, D30 Senate, D33, D34 Senate & D35 Senate.

On the House side, it’s equally as nutty:

House Districts 1,2,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 25, 28A, 29, 30, 32, and 34.

Hang on to your hats, and stay tuned!