Thune: Democrats Cling to Open Borders, Republicans Want to Secure America

“As long as [Republicans are] in charge, there will be agents at our borders to prevent terrorists, traffickers, and other dangerous individuals from making their way into our country, and there will be agents to take criminal illegal immigrants off of America’s streets.”

Click here to watch the video.

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

A criminal investigation is underway in Minnehaha County against the person or persons who conspired to file false precinct committeeman and committee woman forms after the filings were flagged by the auditor, but currently, there is no official information out there about the subject of the investigation, as well as how long it might take until a criminal indictment is handed down:

“I can confirm that I had to turn some forms over to the sheriff’s office for investigation,” Anderson said. “And that’s about all I can say at this point, because it is an ongoing investigation.”

and..

Minnehaha County GOP Chairman Korry Peterson said he is aware of the investigation into the potentially fraudulent filings and hopes that, if wrongdoing is confirmed, it is prosecuted.

“It’s just crap that something like this is going on,” he said.

Read that here.

There’s nothing official on who the subject of the investigation is just yet, but there is one name – a familiar one – who keeps coming up.

If true, we can only hope that they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for committing an act to defraud the voters of the State of South Dakota.

Well, I don’t think anyone was expecting this:

A new KELOLAND Media Group/Emerson College poll has a new leader in the Republican primary race for South Dakota governor.

Businessman Toby Doeden now holds a 3% advantage over second-place U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson. Doeden has 26% of the polled voters to Johnson’s 23%. The two switched places from the poll released on March 11 when Johnson had the lead with 28% followed by Doeden with 18%.

In this latest poll, Gov. Larry Rhoden was at 19% followed by state Rep. Jon Hansen with 16%. These are gains from the Rhoden’s 17% in March and Hansen’s 14% in March.

Read that here.

Those results seem to be an outlier, and far, far different than any other polling I’ve heard, including whispers of internal polling.  I mean, they all show Hansen in last place, but for Doeden to have any advantage over Dusty? I’m a doubting thomas.

As one politico remarked to me unsolicited this morning “There is n F’n way the new KELO poll can be accurate. Most people I talk to say anyone but Doeden.”   And I would tend to agree.

So until the next poll…

Says it right there on whether District 30 should return JFM to Pierre in the June 2 Republican Primary.  (yes, this is a real photo)

 

South Dakota Board of Regents Announces Systemwide Strategic Objectives for Artificial Intelligence Integration

 CUSTER, S.D. — The South Dakota Board of Regents (BOR) announced a strategic set of objectives designed to position the state’s public universities to become leaders in adopting artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. As AI continues to reshape workforce expectations, academic disciplines, and operational practices, the Regental system is taking coordinated action to ensure students, faculty, and staff are prepared to succeed in an increasingly AI‑driven world.

“Artificial intelligence is transforming every sector of our economy, and higher education must evolve just as rapidly,” said BOR President Jeff Partirdge. “These strategic objectives ensure that South Dakota’s public universities prepare students to be AI-ready, responsive to workforce demands, and capable of responsibly utilizing emerging technologies. This is an investment in the long-term success of our students and our state.”

The Board emphasized that intentional, ethical, and future‑focused engagement with AI is essential for maintaining the competitiveness of South Dakota’s public higher education system. This work will be organized into five core components:

1. Governance and infrastructure needs,
2. Curricular and programmatic impacts,
3. Optimization and utilization of agentic AI,
4. Research, and
5. Development of AI literacy and fluency among students, faculty, and staff.

“AI is not a distant concept; it is already shaping how students learn, collaborate, and prepare for their future careers,” said University of South Dakota President Sheila Gestring. “By building a strong support system and investing in training across our campuses, we are helping ensure students, faculty, and staff can use these tools responsibly, confidently, and in ways that strengthen learning and opportunity for everyone.”

The Board of Regents’ strategic decisions reflect a commitment to preparing South Dakota’s public higher education system for the decade ahead, ensuring students and institutions remain competitive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

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Coincidentally, While Josephine Garcia hears voices and claims to be anointed by God for her election, State Senator Glen Vilhauer has more earthly pursuits today with a Fundraiser/Meet & Greet in his campaign to return to the office that Garcia covets.

5pm at the Goss Opera House in Watertown today, with a number of Watertown leaders sponsoring the event to return him to the State Senate.  You can RSVP Here.

OR, give this link a click, and send a donation to Glen to keep sound (and sane) lawmaking in Pierre.

No wonder kooky State Rep. Josephine Garcia wouldn’t sit where she was assigned in House Education Committee.

She’s doesn’t worry about being elected by voters. Because as she declares on facebook, she’s endorsed by God.

Does God get on the phone to talk to her often?

Is she imagining he got her on the horn and said “hey, you goofball, I’m endorsing you because I need to punish District 5, I’m all out of locusts, and I only reserved the first born thing for the Egyptians.”

If God called her, and she pulled an endorsement, she needs to provide a recording. Because I’m a bit of a skeptic, and am going to say that this claim might indicate she needs to speak with someone about the assumptions about her “God conversations.”

**UPDATE**

Garcia changed her facebook image.

… I’m guessing God withdrew his endorsement, as blasphemous as it was.

Outgoing 1-term State Representative and declared enemy of jet-powered aircraft Dylan Jordan decided to lay it all out there last night on facebook in a last ditch effort to go out in a blaze of glory.

First, the grandma-house cohabiting Jordan decided to do some ‘truth-telling,’ and declared that Fred Deutsch only hung around him in the prior election only to bolster Fred’s conservative credentials:

Because no one would consider Fred a conservative without Dylan telling him how to be one (face palm).

Then in a double-shot of doofus, Jordan announced he’s going to vote for every losing candidate on his ballot.

McNeal.. hasn’t campaigned or advertised?  Jordan has his back. Biolata stands his ground on the playground, battling 12 year olds? Dylan is going to be standing next to him.  Don’t even get me going on Doeden or Dylan’s uncle, Tim “Cut my own taxes” Begalka.

Up and down the ladder every single candidate Dylan Jordan has chosen is going to lose.

Especially the last one. Himself.

Attorney General Jackley Releases Final Ballot Explanation on Proposal Requiring 60 Percent Approval for Constitutional Amendments and Revisions

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has released the final ballot explanation for a Constitutional Amendment proposed by the State Legislature that would require any future proposed Constitutional Amendment or Revision receive an affirmative vote of at least 60 percent of the votes cast to be approved. The proposed amendment will be on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

Attorney General Jackley takes no position on any such proposal for purposes of the ballot explanation. As required by law, he has provided a fair and neutral explanation on the initiated Constitutional Amendment to help assist the voters as required by state law. The sponsors of the proposed Constitutional Amendment were Rep. John Hughes and Sen. Sue Peterson which was approved by the 2025 South Dakota Legislature.

The Attorney General’s explanation was finalized after a review of all the comments received during the 10-day comment period on the Attorney General’s draft explanation. Two comments were received by the deadline.

Language for the final initiated ballot measure explanation can be found here.

For more information regarding ballot measures, please visit the Secretary of State’s website.

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Austin Hoffman Campaign Announces Endorsements from Former Attorneys General Mark Vargo and Roger Tellinghuisen

Hoffman Says Support Reflects Need for Independent Leadership, not Political Establishment Control

EUREKA, S.D. — Austin Hoffman, Republican candidate for South Dakota Attorney General, announced today that he has received endorsements of former South Dakota Attorneys General Mark Vargo and Roger Tellinghuisen.

Vargo served as Pennington County State’s Attorney from 2013 to 2022 and as South Dakota Attorney General from 2022 to 2023. Tellinghuisen served as South Dakota Attorney General from 1987 to 1991.

Vargo praised Hoffman’s character and judgment, noting that he has demonstrated a “strong moral compass and an ability to seek out and consider all citizens and then make his own decisions,” calling that measured collaboration a rare quality in modern politics.

Tellinghuisen emphasized Hoffman’s fairness and dedication to the principles of justice. He said at a time when public trust in the justice system is strained, the Attorney General’s Office requires a leader whose integrity is unwavering. “Austin Hoffman embodies those qualities,” Tellinghuisen said.

Hoffman said he is honored to receive support from two former Attorneys General who understand the demands of the office and recognize the need for steady, independent leadership in the Attorney General’s Office. According to Hoffman, the role requires listening, following the law, and making decisions based on what is right for the people of South Dakota.

“South Dakotans do not need an Attorney General who is chosen by insiders or controlled by the political establishment,” Hoffman said. “They need an Attorney General who understands that the law belongs to the people, not the powerful. My commitment is to serve the citizens of South Dakota, protect their rights, support law enforcement, defend the rule of law and put the law above politics.”

“This campaign is about restoring trust and making sure the Attorney General’s Office works for the people of South Dakota,” Hoffman said. “I am grateful for the support of Mr. Vargo and Mr. Tellinghuisen, and I will continue working to earn the trust and support of Republicans across this state.”

Hoffman, a Eureka native, announced his candidacy late last year. He currently serves as McPherson County State’s Attorney and sits on both the South Dakota Open Meetings Commission and the South Dakota Board of Elections.

The Republican nominee for South Dakota Attorney General will be selected at the Republican convention at the end of June 2026.

For more information about Austin Hoffman, visit HoffmanForAG.com.