The day before his fundraiser in Pierre, the PAC supporting Governor Larry Rhoden will be hosting a fundraiser at the arrowhead country club in Rapid City.
While there is no host list noted, the ask is $1000 per host and they are capping it at 100 hosts.
You can contact the Strong Safe and Free political action committee if you have an extra thousand dollars lying around.
SECRETARY OF STATE MONAE JOHNSON RECOGNIZES PARTNERSHIP WITH DSU TO STRENGTHEN COUNTY CYBERSECURITY
PIERRE, S.D. — Secretary of State Monae L. Johnson today recognized the ongoing collaboration between the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office, Dakota State University (DSU), and the SecureSD program, led by Mike Waldner, in strengthening cybersecurity practices across South Dakota’s counties.
Through this partnership, nearly 100% of South Dakota’s counties are now actively engaged in improving their cybersecurity posture—an important milestone in protecting election systems and local government networks from emerging digital threats.
“Cybersecurity is a cornerstone of election integrity and public trust,” said Secretary Johnson. “Our partnership with Dakota State University and Director of SecureSD, Mike Waldner has been instrumental in helping county officials identify vulnerabilities, implement safeguards, and ensure our systems remain secure and reliable.”
The SecureSD initiative, based at Dakota State University, provides hands-on technical assistance and training to counties and municipalities statewide. Through collaboration with the Secretary of State’s Office and the Division of Elections, SecureSD has delivered cybersecurity assessments, awareness training, and best-practice recommendations tailored to county-level election operations.
Mike Waldner, Director of SecureSD, commended the partnership’s progress. “With Secretary Johnson’s leadership, we’ve been able to reach nearly every county in South Dakota. Together, we’re ensuring that local governments have the knowledge and tools they need to safeguard voter data and maintain confidence in our democratic processes.”
The partnership will continue into 2026, focusing on training opportunities, technology enhancements, and proactive support for counties preparing for upcoming elections.
For more information visit: https://sdsos.gov/default.aspx
Jean Hunhoff Announces Candidacy for South Dakota State Senate, District 18
“When People Matter, Experience Matters.”
YANKTON, S.D. — Jean Hunhoff today announced her candidacy for the South Dakota State Senate Republican primary, pledging to bring her experience and practical leadership back to Pierre to serve the people of District 18.
“Leadership isn’t about headlines. It’s about people,” Hunhoff said. “I have always believed public service means listening first, working together, and doing what’s right for South Dakota families. That’s why I’m running for the State Senate because when people matter, experience matters.”
Rooted in the values of hard work, service, and community that define southeastern South Dakota, Jean has dedicated her life to caring for people and strengthening the region she calls home. A nurse and small business owner, she has spent her career helping others, and her years in local government and the legislature earned her a reputation for asking tough questions, managing budgets responsibly, and finding common sense solutions to complex challenges.
Hunhoff’s priorities reflect the conversations she’s had with people across Yankton and Clay Counties: parents, business owners, farmers, educators, and health-care professionals who want steady, practical leadership focused on results.
“This campaign is not about going back. It is about putting experience to work for South Dakotans once again,” Hunhoff said. “It is time to return to a kind of service that puts people ahead of politics and delivers real results for our communities.”
As a Republican candidate for District 18, Hunhoff said her focus will remain on strengthening families, supporting education, helping local businesses succeed, protecting access to health care, and ensuring that the next generation can build their future right here at home.
Hunhoff and her husband, Dan, raised their family in Yankton and continue to be active in community life.
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Editor’s note – you can donate to Jean’s campaign to run for office at https://www.jeanhunhoff.com/donate
Johnson’s Statement on Ending the Government Shutdown
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) released the following statement after voting again to fund the government and end the longest government shutdown in American history:
“This was the dumbest government shutdown in history,” said Johnson. “Unnecessary pain was inflicted on the American people, our economy, and our national security. I am grateful for the Democrats who were willing to partner with Republicans to open our government. I’ve been vocal in calling for the shutdown to end, and I introduced legislation that would prevent government shutdowns from ever happening again.”
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I’ve managed to get my mitts on the fundraising announcement for the Larry Rhoden for Governor fundraiser in Pierre on Wednesday for November 19th. Please note that Larry clearly indicates that he’s running for Governor on this invite.
And as you might expect, there are a number of Department Secretaries and other top brass in state government who are noted as hosts who have a pecuniary interest in having their current boss return to the position once again in 2026. (It’s almost like their job depends on it):
50% of the host couples have at least one member of the household holding high position in state government under Governor Rhoden. Plus, there’s a few other assorted government officials not under the Governor’s control such as Commissioner of School & Lands Brock Greenfield, PUC Commissioner Gary Hanson, State Auditor Rich Sattgast, and new Deputy State Treasurer Mitch Krebs.
Stay tuned, as things are about to get more interesting!
From the Dakota Scout comes a story that an e-mailed invite has gone out for what is allegedly an announcement event out in Rapid City next week. (I’m guessing they must have forgotten my e-mail address – pp):
While Rhoden’s campaign will not confirm or deny that a decision has been made about the governor’s political future beyond 2026, multiple sources of The Dakota Scout have confirmed Rhoden will enter the race. His campaign on Tuesday also began circulating a digital invitation to a political event where he’s set to share his plans — a run for governor.
“Join Governor Larry Rhoden as he makes a special announcement about his plans to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free,” reads the otherwise nondescript listing for the Nov. 18 event.
Gov. Rhoden Now Accepting Applications for Parole Board
PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Larry Rhoden is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Board of Pardons and Paroles (Parole Board).
The vacancy was created when Parole Board member Ken Albers of Canton announced he would be ending his service following the November 2025 meeting. His term was scheduled to expire in January 2026.
The Parole Board meets for one week each month to recommend pardons and commutations to the Governor, conduct parole hearings, and take action on offender applications for parole. The Parole Board consists of nine members. The Governor, the Attorney General, and the South Dakota Supreme Court each appoint three members. Parole Board members must be residents of South Dakota.
The standard duration of appointments to the Parole Board is four years. Members are eligible for re-appointment. Appointments require the advice and consent of the state Senate.
Those who would like to be considered for an appointment to the Parole Board should submit a resume, cover letter, and letter of recommendation to Katie Hruska, General Counsel for the Governor’s Office, at katie.hruska@state.sd.us. Applications should be submitted by Friday, November 21, 2025.
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In response to a Todd Epp story yesterday at the Dakota Scout story, where it was noted that the Sioux Falls School District reviewed the package of tax proposals being put forth by the legislature, House Majority Leader Scott Odenbach launched into a missive on social media which seems to indicate an agenda he may have planned for education during the next legislative session.
In the post, Odenbach ties property tax relief to an agenda which includes items such as consolidation of school districts, and the direct election of school superintendents:
Scott Odenbach for South Dakota House District 31
BECAUSE THAT’S WHERE ALL THE MONEY GETS SPENT
It’s time to tie proficiency test scores to incentives. (The test isn’t the problem.)
It’s time to reform capital outlay spending.
It’s time to look at consolidation of administration. And maybe direct election of superintendents, like sheriffs are.
It’s time to reform and/or automatically refer opt-out votes.
It’s time to disclose how much of your money is spent on status quo lobbyists like Large School Group, Associated School Boards of South Dakota, and others.
It’s time to break the money monopoly by giving parents more control with a good Education Savings Account program.
It’s time to better utilize virtual learning options for our rural families.
And more.
Do we want property tax relief or not?
Odenbach lays out an agenda which includes consolidation, electing school superintendents, learning by xbox (virtual learning), and measuring educators on the basis of their students. It remains to be seen how many others in the Republican caucus will agree with the agenda being pushed by the majority leader.
Odenbach takes issue with how schools currently handle capital outlay. Not sure exactly what that entails? The South Dakota Department of Revenue created a white paper to explain what Capital Outlay funds are, and what they’re used for in July of this year:
For the layman, this entails the funds for the purchase of real estate or equipment and is used for buying new or maintaining existing facilities, as well as for textbooks and costs to transport students.
It’s unclear what form “reform” would take, but it would likely entail cutting the use of capital outlay to pay for items such as textbooks. Which would leave schools having to look for the money elsewhere in their general funds.
Odenbach also notes items on his agenda such as going after school lobbyists, and one of his initiatives that had been quickly killed in the opening days of the last legislative session. If you recall, HB 1020 establishing education savings accounts, was opposed by Industry & Commerce, retailers, schools, school administrators, the Crow Creek tribe, homeschoolers, and a lot of others. Yet, it appears that it’s on the agenda to come back.
In one of the biggest stretches he’s proposing, Odenbach strangely declares his agenda items of the “consolidation of administration” and “the direct election of superintendents.” Consolidation has been a fringe topic that has come up from time to time, but has been largely rejected by the South Dakota legislature. But an even further stretch would be the direct election of school superintendents, despite the offices currently being filled by a board of local elected officials.
Scott should know who those people are, because Odenbach served on his local board, the Spearfish School Board from 2017 until 2021, where he was actively engaged in the system he proposes to replace; where superintendents are hired by local school boards after what in many cases are exhaustive searches for finding qualified and competent applicants to fill the positions. Unless he’s declaring that as a school board member, he was incapable or unqualified to do that job while he was on the board?
Would South Dakota want to elect school superintendents to be in charge of our children? Well, that proposal is just plain awful. I would point out that parents would be placing the future of South Dakota in the hands of who was the best campaigner at a given time.
Imagine if some of the people in our state legislature – instead of proposing bills in Pierre – were in charge of educating our kids? Would you hand the management of your School District over to “White History Month advocate” and aspiring Visine poisoner Travis Ismay? How about entrusting handing your kids’ education over to “kooky, wrong and dangerous” dj entertainer Dylan Jordan …who may be living in his gramma’s house?
That proposal should cause parents and taxpayers to absolutely shudder. I question if either can tie their shoes, much less be capable of being in charge of children.
And as referenced earlier, the “virtual learning” demand – I’m not sure why Scott thinks that would make things better in education. Anyone remember COVID? There are papers and studies and stories all confirming the fact that all in all – distance learning doesn’t work.
At the same time that schools are removing phones from students to improve instructional quality, why is the House Majority Leader declaring that somehow rural families are going to be better served by plopping kids in front of screens?
All in all, Rep. Odenbach’s attempt to tie tax reform to some very sketchy agenda items of his own for education is a recipe for disaster that South Dakotans should pay attention to – and reject thoroughly.
Katie Washnok Announces Candidacy for South Dakota Senate, District 3
Aberdeen, S.D. – Katie Washnok, 37, of Aberdeen, proudly announces her candidacy for the South Dakota Senate representing District 3. Washnok enters the race with a promise to bring a new voice, fresh perspective, and tangible results to the people of the greater Aberdeen area.
A lifelong South Dakotan and proven community leader, Washnok has built a strong record of service through her work in local organizations, business leadership, and civic engagement. She is committed to advancing policies that strengthen families, support small businesses, and protect the values that make Northeastern South Dakota a great place to live and work.
Having worked in both Washington, D.C. and Pierre early in her career, Washnok brings valuable insight into the policymaking process and the importance of effective, collaborative leadership. Her years of community involvement have provided her with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing District 3 residents, from agriculture and education to workforce development and economic growth.
“Aberdeen and Northeastern South Dakota are ready for growth; we need leaders who are ready and able to advocate and make sure we are a priority in Pierre,” said Washnok. “I am focused on real results:infrastructure, more jobs, and opportunities that keep families right here in South Dakota. It’s time for less talk and more action, Aberdeen!”
Katie Washnok invites supporters to join her campaign by following “Katie Washnok for South Dakota Senate” on Facebook or visiting her website at www.katieforsd.com for updates and opportunities to get involved.
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Just a note from the editor – you can donate to Katie directly by clicking here.
Dakota News Now has a story about the malcontents in the Minnehaha County Republican Party organization attempting to oust Minnehaha County Chairman Korry Petterson, and about how the (former 32-year Democrat) Chair Jim Eschenbaum ruled that it could not be done.
The South Dakota Republican Party said Minnehaha County GOP Chairman Korry Petterson will remain in office.
A vote to remove him on Monday was ruled invalid by the state’s executive board.
In a Facebook post, SD GOP Chairman Jim Eschenbaum said the bylaws don’t allow county members to oust elected officials without a state-level amendment.
Read and watch the story here.
But.. is it? Is it really over? Because after Eschenbaum felt the need to publicize his pronouncement to the entire central committee and facebook. And there was an interesting reply. One important one in particular:
All,
I appreciate the openness of Chairman Eschenbaum and the executive board regarding letting us know their decision. I respectfully disagree. I don’t want to post this on Facebook, because it is an internal matter for the Party and not the general public, and not something that needs to be in social media. Therefore I am sending out an email.
I have no dog in the fight between the two factions and Minnehaha County. I don’t take a position as to who should be chair, as I haven’t heard the evidence. But, I do have an interest, as a member of the state central committee, in the state central committee retaining authority over membership disputes of the body when there is a dispute.
The bylaws are very clear that Robert’s Rules of Order apply to County Central Committees in Section III.3.D., which states: “The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the County Central Committee in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the County Central Committee may adopt; however, unless any member objects, the committee may act informally at the discretion of the county chairman.” As recognized in the statement by the Chairman, there are no bylaw provisions regarding removal, which means there isn’t anything inconsistent. Therefore, Robert’s Rules is the gap filler and plainly governs under the bylaws. There is language about events causing a vacancy, but that language is not competitive or mutually exclusive to language authorizing removal by a body for cause or otherwise.
Moreover, as a prior member of the bylaws committee (though quite some time ago) and prior parliamentarian for the state party at several times in the past, the bylaws were written in a way to allow removal of officers by a county central committee. Section III.3 states the term of county officers is “shall hold their offices for a term of two years or until their successors have been elected.” The language “or until their successors have been elected” has significance under Roberts Rules to specifically allow for removal. That choice was deliberate and was made knowingly and discussed in the past.
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Lastly, I don’t think the executive board has jurisdiction to make a final decision on this matter, except in an interim fashion until the next central committee hearing. Under Section I.2, the State Central Committee has this authority. It also, of course, has the authority to do this in determining its own membership. I have no intention to bring a motion on this issue, but it is my opinion that this issue is ripe for resolution by the Central Committee rather than the Executive Board.
So, in Stanley County, we will follow State law, the State GOP Bylaws, and Robert’s Rules, in that order. If the Stanley County central committee chooses to throw me out, so be it. I would encourage other counties to do the same.
Justin Bell
Stanley County GOP Chair
Why is this an important footnote to pay attention to? If you’ve not been paying attention, Justin Bell had recently been doing double duty as the SDGOP Treasurer and the Republican Party’s attorney in just about every election matter for the last decade. Justin is a darn good attorney, and his win/loss record has been tremendous in fighting for the party.
Justin is the one who kept Lora Hubbel off the ballot when she was trying to run for Governor with the Constitution party – in a year where Governor Noem won by 11,458 votes. And had she been on the ballot, she would have stolen those votes from Kristi, not Billie. And it would be a much different South Dakota political scene.
So when Justin gives you free legal advice, and tells you that you may be in error, you should probably listen.
Of course not everyone agreed.
Since you have no information I disagree with you. The State board took care of the situation and there you have it. They ruled after careful consideration and consultations. Thank you for not giving your option social media.
Amy Wagner
(Pennington County GOP Chair)
Which goes to show you that there’s a place for the hopelessly low-information & clueless in the SDGOP.
Speaking of hopelessly low-information, the SDGOP’s highest ranking Obama voter, Chairman Jim Eschenbaum did reply that party leadership will do what they seem to be focused on most lately, exclusive of fundraising, candidate recruitment or being a functional political party – they’ll have more meetings on it:
I am making it a priority to pass a removal process in February, even if we have to make amendments to the proposed amendment, it needs to be done. I just don’t like where we are right now relying on a process of attempting to read between the lines, or argue about the meaning of a word. Also, I am hoping to find reasonable thresholds for notice of meeting, possibly 30 days, work with accused on meeting date, charges included in the agenda, a good quorum of the full body, (State or County) and a 2/3rds vote for removal. Conflict like this further strengthens our bylaws and brings clarity to operations of the party, so it’s not all bad. But just to be clear, removal from office is not regular business, and shouldn’t be handled as such.
Just another day of chaos in the Republican party.
