John Thune’s latest campaign filing is up, and once again the Senate Majority Leader proves that he is South Dakota’s undisputed fundraising champion.
Oct2025_ThuneSenate by Pat Powers
Senator Thune posted an incredible $723,993.10 raised over the last quarter, which includes $343k of just interest. Which tells you how strong his fundraising has been over the years, combined with opponents inability to challenge him on his own turf. Against this total, the Senator notes expenditures of $273,460.15, leaving him with a massive $16,685,079.77 cash on hand.
There’s a reason nobody wants to take him on in South Dakota politics – aside from the fact the Senator is respected and very well liked in South Dakota, a person would have to be independently wealthy to even try it.
Money in politics isn’t everything. But it doesn’t hurt.
For about 1% of that war chest annually, Thune’s team could build back a party infrastructure with some people of higher character than the Young Republican cesspool.
When our congressional delegation sits on this much cash, the vacuum that is the state party makes so little sense. Flex some of this power and get the clowns out of the party infrastructure.
When the SDGOP figures out they need at least $100k to hold a good convention in Rapid City, do you think they’ll realize trashing John Thune was a mistake?
From what I’ve heard, I think you’re low by about 50,000 or 60,000.