Had I mentioned the other candidate for Governor who has filed paperwork with the Secretary of State to run in 2026? A Terry Philip Gleason of Chamberlain has apparently filed a Statement of Organization for running to become South Dakota Governor:
Terry Gleason Campaign Disclosure by Pat Powers on Scribd
According to social media, his plan is to run for the office as an independent. (I do note that some people out there on the far right that just can’t wait to help him tell his story):
Except I’m thinking there’s going to be a little bump or two in the road that he’s going to face on the road to the South Dakota Governor’s mansion.
From a quick review of public records, it appears that Terry Phillip Gleason with the same address in Chamberlain is on a registry. And I don’t mean that he’s registered at Macy’s hoping to get Lenox china. The South Dakota Sex Offender registry notes Gleason’s registration for a 6/26/2000 conviction of rape in the third degree (15 yo victim) for which he appears to have been sentenced out of Beadle County to time in the State Pen.
Normally, someone on the sex offender registry is barred from circulating petitions for office in South Dakota. BUT, there is a carveout in state law that notes “The provisions of § 12-1-32 do not apply, if the registered sex offender is circulating any nominating petitions on his or her own behalf for election to any federal, state, or local office for which the registered sex offender is otherwise qualified.” So, he will be able to circulate his own petitions.
It’s a free country and all if he has an interest in running for office. But, I don’t know that anyone else running for Governor has restrictions against being in schools and public parks through community safety zone restrictions (per SDCL 22-24B-23) as Mr. Gleason’s registry entry notes. So, we’ll see if he ends up on the campaign trail this next year.
Independent petitions to run for Governor are due in the Secretary of State’s office on April 28th, 2026.
Saw the headline and thought, “Hey, My Man Mike” Huether threw his independent hat into the ring. Maybe he’s holding out for a Trump appointment.
Mr. Gleason is going to have some challenges, as Pat said.
That’s horrifying!!!
if you knew the details of the crime you would see that he’s not a threat to anyone.