In reviewing who was filing today, on the heels of Casey Crabtree withdrawing from the Congressional race, I noted that State Rep. Tim Walburg – also from District 8 – had filed paperwork today to run for the County Commission, and NOT the South Dakota Legislature in the 2026 election.
I reached out to Representative Walburg to ask about it, and he was kind enough to explain that it’s his intent to further his education, and he believed he would better serve the people of Lake County as well as his educational coursework by the lateral move.
According to Walburg:
I have decided to go back to school for more medical training. While looking ahead with the possibilities from schooling, I hope to take advantage of the Rural Health Transformation Grant for Lake County, recently signed by Gov Rhoden. To do this, I had to make a hard decision to leave the legislature, something I really like to do. My schooling is little over a year long. With this, I will have to take 2 semesters off to complete my education if I continue my position in the House of Representatives.
Since making that decision I was asked friends if I would consider a county commissioner spot? With the support asked of me, I decided to put my knowledge from the legislature and previous county experience to work for Lake County Citizens. I will continue to fulfill my legislative roles until the end of my term. I hope to be assigned the EMS Summer Study again this year to continue address EMS shortages. The last 2 years in Pierre has taught me many things, which can benefit Lake County.
While the times in Pierre were challenging with pitfalls. As colleagues, we did come together to accomplish some great things for the state. We have 2 weeks left to finish some work We need to finish the general budget and show an increase to the BIG 3. We need to come together for property tax relief. Our legislative colleagues want to show a WIN for something. Now is the time to show a WIN by putting differences aside, working together as a team for the state and not a certain general area of South Dakota. After 6 years of Property Tax Studies, its time.
Rep. Tim Walburg District 8 Serving Lake, Miner, Kingsbury, and Brookings Counties
Thanks for Representative Walburg for giving of his time to travel to Pierre in the winter during some very challenging times for the State of South Dakota.
Pierre: Today Casey Crabtree announced he is dropping out of the race for U.S. Congress and endorsed Marty Jackley.
Statement from Marty Jackley:
I thank Senator Casey Crabtree for his endorsement. Casey and I have been friends for nearly a decade, and that has never changed. Casey has shown leadership for both his district and the people of our State, and I look forward to continuing to work with him on issues important to us both to make South Dakota even stronger.
Running for Congress has been an incredible journey. The generosity and friendship South Dakotans have shown my family and I during the past year will never be forgotten. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Today, I will be suspending my campaign for Congress. The dysfunction in the State Senate this past week has made it clear that my leadership is needed far more at home in South Dakota right now than in DC. I’m also looking forward to catching all of my boys’ ballgames in the weeks and months ahead.
I want to wish Marty Jackley well in the November election. He has my full endorsement. President Trump needs a strong Republican majority to continue his America First victories—growing the economy, making American cities safer, and rebuilding America’s military strength.
To all of my family, friends and supporters, you believed in me and my America First, South Dakota Always message, and I’ll keep carrying that torch to make South Dakota a better place for all of us, but especially the next generation.
Thank you and God bless.
Casey
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(Official Release)
Crabtree Suspends Congressional Campagin
MADISON–Today, Republican State Senator Casey Crabtree suspended his campaign for South Dakota’s at-large seat in the United States House of Representatives to focus on policy issues at home in South Dakota.
Crabtree issued the following statement:
“Running for Congress has been an incredible journey. The generosity and friendship South Dakotans have shown my family and I during the past year will never be forgotten. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
“Today, I will be suspending my campaign for Congress. The dysfunction in the State Senate this past week has made it clear that my leadership is needed far more at home in South Dakota right now than in DC. I’m also looking forward to catching all of my boys’ ballgames in the weeks and months ahead.
“I want to wish Marty Jackley well in the November election. He has my full endorsement. President Trump needs a strong Republican majority to continue his America First victories—growing the economy, making American cities safer, and rebuilding America’s military strength.
“To all of my family, friends and supporters, you believed in me and my America First, South Dakota Always message, and I’ll keep carrying that torch to make South Dakota a better place for all of us, but especially the next generation. Thank you and God bless.”
Just an occasional reminder to readers that I’m always on the hunt for South Dakota political ribbons, and in particular South Dakota State Capital fight items, such as this Watertown for the Capital ribbon in my collection.
If you’ve got something you think might be up my alley, I do have some duplicates, or otherwise items that don’t fit in my collection that I have available for trade, such as a couple of SDGOP 1906 convention ribbons, a very, very early SDDP convention ribbon, a 1900 NDGOP ribbon, as well as a 1899 SD Sportsmen’s Association Tournament ribbon among other items I’ve got hanging around.
Christine Erickson Certified for Sioux Falls Mayoral Ballot
Sioux Falls, SD – Mayoral candidate Christine Erickson officially filed her nominating petitions and has been certified to appear on the ballot for the upcoming Sioux Falls mayoral election in June 2, 2026. With 96 days remaining until Election Day, Erickson says her campaign is energized and focused on continuing conversations with residents across the city.
Erickson and her supporters spent the past several weeks gathering signatures throughout Sioux Falls, connecting with community members in neighborhoods, at local businesses,
and at community events.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the hundreds of conversations we’ve had while collecting signatures,” said Erickson. “This process wasn’t just about earning a place on the ballot — it was about listening. I heard from families, small business owners, retirees, and young professionals who care deeply about the future of Sioux Falls. The encouragement, ideas, and support we received have been inspiring and reaffirm why I’m running.”
Erickson emphasized that the momentum built during the petition process is only the beginning. Her campaign will continue meeting residents in every part of the city to discuss priorities, including public safety, responsible growth, infrastructure, and maintaining the high quality of life Sioux Falls is known for.
“Our campaign is rooted in connection,” Erickson said. “Over the next 96 days, we’ll continue showing up, listening, and working to earn the trust and support of voters throughout Sioux Falls.”
More information about Christine Erickson’s campaign, upcoming events, and opportunities to get involved will be announced in the coming weeks.
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden unveiled a county map that shows how much South Dakotans save under his plan to cut property taxes, SB 96. You can find that map here.
“South Dakotans deserve a real property tax cut – and that is exactly what my plan delivers,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “This new interactive map allows South Dakotans to see firsthand how much they can save under my plan. It puts numbers behind our promise to deliver relief for homeowners across our state.”
Governor Rhoden previously introduced his plan to cut property taxes, which gives counties the option to replace their share of property taxes with a half-cent sales tax. County commissions could implement this tax cut, or it could be referrable to a vote of the people, or the people could also initiate it for a vote in their local community. The proposal would also help counties draw more revenues from tourists and out-of-state visitors.
You can find more information about Governor Rhoden’s plan to cut property taxes here.
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Editor’s note.. Here’s a few samples from the map:
Thune Joins Larry Kudlow on Fox Business, The Guy Benson Radio Show
“You saw the president’s vision for the future of this country, and then you saw the open borders, sanctuary cities … defund law enforcement, raise your taxes, reduce American energy independence Democrats sitting there on their hands at virtually every opportunity when they should have been up cheering … it’s unfortunate.”
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business and the Guy Benson radio show.
On President Trump’s State of the Union address:
“[President Trump] crushed it … both in tone and substance … And I thought it was optimistic, it was hopeful … reflecting on America’s greatness and those who have come before us. Having a couple of those 100-year-old veterans in the audience … having the American … hockey team … congratulations to both the men and the women for their gold medals.
“But it was really the kind of message and speech that I think most people should find inspiring and aspirational and all that – except the Democrats in the chamber. So I thought what you also saw last night was kind of the two Americas. You saw the president’s vision for the future of this country, and then you saw the open borders, sanctuary cities … defund law enforcement, raise your taxes, reduce American energy independence Democrats sitting there on their hands at virtually every opportunity when they should have been up cheering … it’s unfortunate.”
[…]
“The president laid out a bold vision. And some of the things he talked about last night – on top of the things … that we got done in this last year through the first reconciliation bill – but … a housing bill, talking about something on additional energy development, permitting reform, AI. I think there’s some real areas that we can be working on and working with the White House, and hopefully in a bipartisan way … to get some solutions for the American people. But those are all things that kind of strike at the heart of this question of affordability. I think the president has zeroed in on that.
“What we believe are the answers as we look to the future … are safer streets, which the president has been dialed in and zeroed in on since he came to office and before; obviously more money in the American people’s pockets, and we have done that, and you’re going to see more of that … as the year wears on; and then obviously new opportunities to get ahead for working families, and there are so many areas in which the president has delivered on that.
“There’s more to do, but you look at just as an example, the Trump newborn accounts … [T]hat is a wonderful idea for the future and to get people saving for their kids. And I think that’s something that is going to serve the American people and working families well, well into the future.”
On the SAVE America Act:
“[W]e will vote on the SAVE America Act in one way, form, or another. And if the Democrats block it, I think it’s a great contrast to draw going into these fall elections. Do you want to be the people who are voting against actually requiring people to be American citizens to vote in American elections? I think that’s a fairly straightforward issue, but if the Democrats want to … stand in the way of that, then we’re obviously happy to litigate that in the fall elections.”
On the Democrats’ DHS shutdown:
“The president and his team have been … operating in good faith in terms of trying to get a solution here … We have now had [three] votes in the Senate … on the very bill the Democrats negotiated on the Department of Homeland Security, on that appropriations bill, and then subsequently walked away from and voted against it as recently as last night. And we’ll give them more opportunities to vote on that.
“[Republicans are] not going to do anything that jeopardizes or puts at risk law enforcement officials who are out doing their jobs. They have a right to be able to do their jobs, to do them in a safe way. And these sanctuary cities, which create these hostile environments where, puts not only … these law enforcement officials at risk, but also their families, that’s just crazy … There are a whole range of issues I think the White House has been willing to deal on, and the Democrats haven’t been there, because I think they see this as a political issue, and it’s really unfortunate, because nobody wins in a shutdown.”
I have decided to go back to school for more medical training. While looking ahead with the possibilities from schooling, I hope to take advantage of the Rural Health Transformation Grant for Lake County, recently signed by Gov Rhoden. To do this, I had to make a hard decision to leave the legislature, something I really like to do. My schooling is little over a year long. With this, I will have to take 2 semesters off to complete my education if I continue my position in the House of Representatives.
Sioux Falls, SD – Mayoral candidate Christine Erickson officially filed her nominating petitions and has been certified to appear on the ballot for the upcoming Sioux Falls mayoral election in June 2, 2026. With 96 days remaining until Election Day, Erickson says her campaign is energized and focused on continuing conversations with residents across the city.
