The Doeden campaign isn’t the only campaign for Governor where we’re seeing few, if any hosts on the invite. If you pay attention to this sort of thing, you might have caught that the Hansen Lemmings are having a few events at Pizza Ranches around the state as of late.
You know, nothing against Pizza Ranch, (aside from the co-founder sexually abusing teenage boys) but it seems like they’re running a gubernatorial race with local elected official level events.
When I asked about it, one observer did note that you can usually use the meeting room for free if you’re getting pizza. The operative word being free. And obviously, there’s no room charge if you’re getting friends to come in & pay for themselves to eat pizza, and are taking tips for bussing tables.
Of course, you might be raising money a few hundred at a time. And given the gas that motorhome is going to guzzle, I’m not sure whether they’re breaking even.
But then again, when you’re down at 2%, there’s no way to go but up.
The use of the Pizza Ranch room, whether free or discounted, could constitute a corporate contribution to the campaign and probably should be disclosed in the appropriate filings.
That said, if recent trends are any indication, campaign finance violations in this State rarely face serious scrutiny.
SDCL 12-27-1 defines a contribution, in part, as “any discount or rebate not available to the general public[.]” If Pizza Ranch were to give a political committee a discounted room rate then I would agree with your statement. However, just as Pat mentioned, these rooms are typically available for free use as long as the user purchases pizza or the guests purchase pizza. The same analysis would apply to an in-kind donations of goods or services. If a good or service is free to the general public, there is little room to argue that it has a reportable value to a political committee.
The most interesting aspects of the event are that the event is hosted by “The People First” PAC, the tips going to the Hansen-Lems committee, and disclaimer for certain communications.
How can the People First PAC accurately report “tips” given by Pizza Ranch customers given to The People First PAC on their disclosures? Serious question. What if a family gives 100.01 tip in one sitting? Or perhaps the family attends two pizza ranch tip nights and donates 50.00 on night one and 50.01 on night two? Will there be accurate records of these donations for itemized contributions?
An even more complex scenario is if a person uses a corporate credit card and leaves a tip on the card – has that corporation just donated to The People First Pac? 12-27-24(12) requires all entity contributions to be itemized. Imagine the surprise of a small business owner in January 2026 filings finding out that their Pizza Ranch tip was attached to a political contribution.
Lastly, what about independent communication laws in SDCL 12-27-16.1- is this a communication made in coordination with the candidate or candidate’s committee? There are special rule for disclaimers in SDCL 12-27-16 and -16.1.
Perhaps this is a case where our AG should utilize SDCL 12-27-36 – Access to records by attorney general.
I agree. I expect we’ll see a large number of unitemized contributions. Where have we seen that before? Oh, that’s right.
https://dakotawarcollege.com/state-representative-tina-mulally-claims-over-110000-in-unitemized-donations-to-her-legislative-campaign-and-other-tall-tales-to-tell-you/
Hansen needs to come his senses and realize he has a better shot at AG
Hansen better worry more about keeping his speaker job. Throw the bums out.
Hansen should flip seats with Pischke.
If he wants to get out.
His constant pandering disqualifies him. It is all he has to offer. Better choices out there. Besides Toby spending the money he has is cornering the wackadoodle vote.
Either of these two political extremists will be like a fly hitting the windshield not even noticed by the Dusty Johnson campaign cruising down the highway going to their next town.
Hansen believes he can run for Gov through the primary. If he loses, there’s still a little time before convention. He’ll switch to AG and run a last-minute campaign.
If the SDGOP would require candidates to announce at least a month in advance to run at convention, this stunt wouldn’t happen. Then you’d get people running for Constitutional office who actually want that office rather than people who just want it as a backup in case their primary plan doesn’t work out. (Pun intended.)
Doeden is better suited to run for US Congress. His commercials repeatedly reference President Trump and being in the fight with him. Washington D.C. is the place for him.
When would it be too late for Mr. Doeden to switch races?
I dont want Doeden in DC or Pierre
Doeden wants people to think he has been endorsed by Trump.
Doeden isn’t suited for public office of any kind.
Hanson has never been a prosecutor. Do you really think law enforcement would respect him. One Roundsberg is enough for anyone to swallow. Hanson needs to get a real job.
Lol
I’m a former Iowan and have experienced many a political event at a Pizza ranch, especially during the caucus season. I’m guessing they’re attempting to mimic that in South Dakota.
Hansen/Lems–this isn’t Iowa and this isn’t a caucus. Pizza Ranch is an Iowa staple and many of the towns that have a Pizza Ranch really don’t have other venues.
Who is running their campaign?
I’m a fan of the cactus bread. The mashed potatoes however are out of a box and that’s just low rent.
The potatoes, when mixed with corn and gravy with the chicken fries are legit. More legit than this campaign…
Indeed. If the Pizza Ranch only had sausage links and bacon and opened for breakfast with some basted eggs and maybe had hashbrowns too, the Conservatives with Common Sense might use this free room and earn some free tip money too. But they don’t, so the old reliable and traditional breakfasting establishment schedule will remain in effect. In case Mr. Hansen’s begging road trip was causing you to wonder. See you all Sunday.
Honestly, their pizza is middling at best, but I do like the salad bar and broasted chicken every once in a while.
Despite the tired self promotion of Amanda Radke the Hanson/Lemmings campaign needs to see the writing on the wall and pack it in. No money. No traction. Might need to call AAA and have that motorhome towed back to Minnehaha County.
Those who oppose Hansen and Lems should not underestimate this campaign. Similar to Doeden, Lems and her husband are reported to be independently wealthy. If the reports are true, she could bankroll the campaign without needing to fundraise. Penny-ante events like this one portray them as “the working man’s candidates.” Meanwhile, they can keep their powder dry for large spending as the primary gets closer. Regardless, I suspect Hansen will lean heavily into the “independent expenditures” tactic, relying on “unconnected” groups to attack Dusty while he “keeps his hands clean.” Suffice it to say, the Hansen/Lems detractors cannot get complacent. Fortunately, Dusty and his team could teach a master class in campaign strategy, so they will not be caught flat-footed.
Ummm yah.. Very wealthy. Karla is one of three kids and her mother is still alive but she manages the estate. They have thousands and thousands of Lincoln County farm ground under 3 or 4 names..
That’s why Hansen picked her. Was for the cash!
He is a master manipulator. I’ll give him that…
What a fizzle out. Put Jon outside the mall playing guitar while Karla bangs a pot. Amanda can do interpretive eye movements to the beat.
That might gather a crowd.
This made me laugh.
Hold on Jennifer. Please don’t leave! We had to call a tow truck for the motorhome again and the tow truck driver was nice enough to drop us off at Pizza Ranch.
Love watching the campaigns for sport. Doeden is running too fast too soon and spending way too much. Hanson Lem is doing the exact opposite. I’d say they’re setting the bar too low, but the primary is a year away. Any campaign event at this stage with little or no expense is money in the bank for later. The hard part is trying to build momentum with a couple awkward introductions at a time in the back of a pizza joint. Hosts donate, which means you can budget these events before they happen. If Hansen does enough, he’ll secure his spot as the best of the losers. And won’t win.
I saw three people at the Arts Festival wearing Hansen-Lems tshirts.
Didn’t see anybody wearing any other campaign tshirts..
Not sure if that means anything
The arts festival has always banned petitions and political activity. Guessing it’s a few supporters wandering around. My wife and I were just there a bit ago and saw nobody with any shirts or signs.
Did find a 50’s canister set with a nearly new “grease” canister. We try to grab those when we come across them, because they commonly weren’t kept and my kids all know the one we discard bacon & hamburger drippings in. A much more welcome sight than a Hansen for Governor campaign promo.