Category: Uncategorized

Day 17 of the Government Shutdown
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
October 17, 2025 

BIG Update

Another week of the government shutdown has come and gone. This shutdown should never have happened and it’s even more ridiculous every day it continues. I voted to keep the government open a month ago, and yet some in the Senate are preventing federal employees from being paid and cutting off important services for the American people.

I want to be clear about the counterproposal to the bipartisan funding package we already passed out of the House. The counterproposal includes $1.5 trillion in new spending while repealing the $50 billion Rural Hospital Transformation Program. These are not negotiations to have while the government remains shuttered.

BIG Idea

It was recently discovered that some states, South Dakota included, have been issuing non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) to visa holders in the U.S. that expire beyond the expiration date of their visa. I’m concerned that allowing these licenses to extend past an individual’s legal stay in America could endanger others on our roads and give an individual a government-issued identification that they should not have. The Trump Administration has been leading policy initiatives to correct this error and I’m working on legislation to ensure states are following federal law and strengthen federal requirements to keep our roads safe.

I recently co-sponsored the Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act to make sure the Trump Administration’s CDL policies are the permanent law of the land. This bill makes sure states verify the lawful immigration status for the license holder and requires the expiration date of the CDL license to be limited to one year or the expiration date of the visa, whichever is shorter. This legislation will ensure states keep roads safe.

Click here or the image above to read more.

BIG News

Yesterday, I hosted a tele-town hall with more than 12,000 South Dakotans to hear their concerns and talk about the government shutdown. I’ve held dozens of these town halls over the years to hear directly from constituents from across the state. I took questions from across the political spectrum about a variety of topics, like the government shutdown, health care, and the need to support our farmers and ranchers. I really enjoy hopping on the phone and talking to engaged constituents.

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Gov. Rhoden Honors 89th Attack Squadron’s Success in Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden honored the 89th Attack Squadron “Marauders,” stationed at Ellsworth Airforce Base, for their involvement in President Trump’s successful Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER – the United States strike on Iranian nuclear sites that ended the 12-Day War.

“The 89th Attack Squadron demonstrated heroic service and sacrifice in defense of America and our freedoms. Until today, they were quite literally ‘unsung heroes,’ but their courage will never be forgotten,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “I encourage all South Dakotans to recognize, support, and celebrate the achievements and sacrifice of these outstanding service members.”

The Squadron’s execution of 177 hours of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance operations provided vital strategic advantages in protecting American lives and interests. They delivered dynamic targeting data and threat assessments that safeguarded over 17,000 U.S. forces and enabled the President of the United States to maintain credible offensive strike options.

Governor Rhoden honored the troops at a recognition ceremony at Ellsworth Air Force Base and proclaimed today “89th Attack Squadron Appreciation Day.” You can find the proclamation here.

For the safety of all those involved, today was the first day the Governor could publicly acknowledge the 89th Attack Squadron’s involvement in this operation.

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Why does it seem that Indy candidate and former Dem against Thune Brian Bengs is cutting the amount that the Democrat candidate should be raising in half?

Bengs_Oct2025FEC by Pat Powers

Bengs is reporting $76,628.11 raised against $65,532.75 spent – again, a high burn rate – leaving him $29,710.42 to take on an incumbent US Senator.

And he’s raising chunks of this cash using Democrat Party fundraising platform ActBlue, and he’s using Dem software vendor NGP VAN. I think if I was Julian Beaudion, I might be frosted a bit, since he’s in the running to be the Democrat party’s candidate, and Bengs is an opponent.

Bengs has the same problem as Julian, that unless something changes quickly, 2025 could be the campaign’s high point as they both slide into a cash-starved 2026.

Or maybe, cash is ok, but it’s split between two candidates who are both running for the favor of the left.

The Democrat offering for US Senate against incumbent Senator Mike Rounds filed his FEC Report this week. And while it wasn’t embarassing, it’s not keeping up the pace that he’s going to need to be a serious challenger to Senator Rounds.

Julian Oct2025FEC by Pat Powers

Julian for US Senate posted $60,897.94 raised against a tremendous burn of cash, totaling $73,041.82, completely wiping away his take for the quarter and eating into the previous cash on hand, leaving him with $31,081.06. Not the trend he needs to be showing going into the doldrums of year-end fundraising.  He needs to be accruing as much as he can, and that doesn’t seem to be happening.

We’ll keep monitoring, but unless something changes quickly, 2025 could be the campaign’s high point as they slide into a cash-starved 2026.

The recall (and saga) of Deadwood City Commissioner Blake Joseph continues as the city has had an injunction filed against it, and it appears that things are going to drag out while they have a hearing on the whole matter, according to the Black Hills Pioneer:

Thune: Democrats Block Bipartisan Defense Bill to Pay Our Troops

“If anything was needed to demonstrate just how fundamentally uninterested Democrats are in supporting our troops – and defending our country – just take a look at this vote!”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) yesterday delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Click here to watch the video.

I had heard that Deputy State Treasurer Jason Williams was departing that office, but it’s official now according to open.sd.gov. Williams, who had previously been at the Secretary of State’s office, and served as Deputy Treasurer coming in with Josh Haeder, has now moved on to an exempt position with the Attorney General’s office, where his salary is set at $117,023.90 annually according to the open government website.

So, what’s happening in the Treasurer’s office to fill Williams’ old role?

I have it on good authority that while an official press release is coming out in the near future, former Rounds Senate Campaign press secretary Mitch Krebs has been tapped to fill the position.

This is even more interesting that Willams’ departure, as with 14 months left, current State Treasurer Josh Haeder has reached the end of his ability to run because of term limits. Williams who was going to run for the office has obviously shifted gears.

And there is no one who is seeking the position.   As far as we know.  Maybe that’s changing with Krebs taking over as #2?

Stay tuned.

South Dakota Searchlight has an article tonight confirming that the sustainable jet fuel project that was destined for Lake Preston is now moving to North Dakota.

They’ll hold onto the land, for an unspecified future date, but at the end of the day, South Dakota managed to blow up our billion dollar value added agriculture project:

Colorado-based Gevo had obtained a $1.46 billion loan through the U.S. Department of Energy to build a jet fuel plant at Lake Preston, South Dakota. Company officials told the North Dakota Monitor on Thursday that it instead will push ahead with making jet fuel at the Richardton, North Dakota, ethanol plant it bought last year. Gevo is working with the Department of Energy to transfer the loan to expand the North Dakota site.

and..

Gevo plans to expand the North Dakota ethanol plant, which turns corn into fuel. It would convert the ethanol into higher-value aviation fuel in a process it calls alcohol to jet. Carbon capture is a key part of making sustainable aviation fuel.

and..

But the Gevo officials said the demand for sustainable aviation fuel meant the company could not wait for the Summit pipeline. Summit had hoped to be operating in 2024 but has yet to start construction as it tries to secure all the permits it needs.

“We can’t sit around for that,” Gruber said.  “We’ve got a mission here.”

Read the story about our blown opportunity here.

Had some interesting information passed my way about a Real Estate transaction that took place in Lawrence County in August. Which, among several things, it could mean that there’s a potential for an opening in the District 3 legislative races in 2026.

I’m told that there was a Real Estate transaction involving a Republican Party official who sold a property to an LLC a short time ago. Specifically, SDGOP National Committeewoman Heidi Engelhart is said to have sold lot 17A, Block 1 Apple Springs (Lawrence County) on Aug 28th to an entity called “Cozy Cabin, LLC.”

Why do we care? Well, if you look at who Cozy Cabin, LLC is, you quickly realize that it has to do with Toby Doeden’s favorite renter, as hers is the name on this brand new Limited Liability Corporation that was filed with the Secretary of State in late July:

B0372-9362-SchaefbauerCozyCabinLLC by Pat Powers

So, it appears that an entity whose organizer and registered agent is District 3’s State Representative Brandei Schaefbauer purchased this “Cozy Cabin” in the Black Hills of South Dakota.   Given that for her legislative/home residence she’s currently renting her residence in District 3 from Gubernatorial wannabe Toby Doeden, a property purchase in another district is kind of big news, because the implications are in part that she might pack up her legislative lemonade stand to establish residence elsewhere.

Yes, I know it could just be a Black Hills rental/vacation property. Absolutely possible. But, just as possible that since she’s currently living in rental housing, she may decide to live in the property her LLC owns which would put her out of running in District 3, leaving an open seat.

Of course, considering I’m hearing of multiple sightings of Brandei hanging out in Aberdeen and elsewhere in the state with a former newscaster who pled no contest to assaulting his last girlfriend, the fact that she’s buying in his home territory kind of makes the whole “Cozy Cabin” thing sound… well, less than cozy.

From the South Dakota Secretary of State, last night McPherson County State’s Attorney Austin Hoffman registered a campaign committee for running for the Office of Attorney General.

Austin Hoffman for AG by Pat Powers

There’s no press release out for it yet, but it would seem to be an indicator that Austin intends to jump into the contest. Austin, son of former Legislator Charlie Hoffman, and grandson of LeRoy G. Hoffman, a member of the South Dakota Senate and candidate for Governor in the 1978 primary would be the third generation of his family to serve in Pierre, although if he’s successful would be skipping the legislature.

Hoffman is currently a member of the Open Meeting Commission, a position he currently shares with the only other announced candidate, Fall River County State’s Attorney Lance Russell.

Keep an eye on this page, as I’m sure we’re going to see an official announcement in the near future.