Thune Joins Sean Hannity on Fox News
“We want to make sure that we are rooting out the Biden-era waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicaid program, and making sure that it’s targeted and directed … at the people for whom it was intended.”
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) joined Sean Hannity on Fox News:
Click here or on the picture to watch the video.
If there are any still speculating what Senator Rounds intends to do, you should have figured it out a long time ago. Mike is in for US Senate, and the campaign is slowly being brought to the gantry, according to Team Rounds insiders.
Longtime confidant and former chief of staff to Senator Rounds, Rob Skjonsberg, confirmed that Rounds is taking steps to launch his 2026 re-election campaign. Rob tells me that “Mike’s focused on the job – but the campaign infrastructure will be in place when he’s ready to make a formal announcement. I guarantee we won’t have a cold start. We’ll hit the ground running.”
When pressed about “the team” being in place, Skjonsberg informs me that “We have most of the pieces locked in already.”
If you recall, in 2020, Rounds’ media and digital presence was impressive after partnering with former Thune and Noem political media guru, Scottie Howell. Howell brings a massive network and a proven record of winning tough races in South Dakota. Rounds also has one of the best pollsters in the country, a strong friendship with Senator Thune and his team, and a ground game with 30 years worth of success. Skjonsberg has always added a little extra “edge” to Mike and I think that’s why it’s a successful combination.
It’s not “If” Mike decides to pull the trigger – It’s when. And everyone should assume he’ll be the juggernaut once again.
Stay tuned.
NFIB Releases New Ads In South Dakota Urging Congress to Permanently Protect American-Owned Small Businesses from Unconstitutional, Invasive Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements
New Radio, Digital Ads in South Dakota Urge Lawmakers to Protect Small Business Owners’ Privacy, Repeal BOI
PIERRE, SD (June 18, 2025) – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, today released new paid advertisements in South Dakota featuring targeted radio ads and digital ads. The ads urge members of Congress to: Protect the privacy of small business owners by codifying into law President Trump’s order that American small businesses are exempt from the unconstitutional and invasive Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting rule; fully repeal the BOI law, and require the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to destroy all beneficial ownership information data already submitted by U.S. small businesses.
Listen to the radio ad here and visit ProtectSmallBusiness.org for up-to-date information on the campaign.
“President Trump’s announcement that America’s small businesses were exempt from enforcement of the unconstitutional and invasive Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirement was a huge victory for small business owners,” said NFIB President Brad Close. “Now the fight shifts to Congress; they must take immediate action to codify President Trump’s order into law, fully repeal the outrageous BOI law, and require FinCEN to destroy the data of the millions of small business owners who have already complied with this unconstitutional mandate.”
For over six years, NFIB has fought against Beneficial Ownership Information reporting regulations in Congress, executive branch agencies, and the federal courts, working to permanently block and repeal it. If not fully repealed, 32 million small businesses nationwide could once again be subjected to this unnecessary, invasive, and unconstitutional mandate. Those who fail to comply would be subject to criminal and civil penalties of up to two years in federal prison and up to $10,000.
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For over 80 years, NFIB has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses, and remains so today. For more information, please visit nfib.com.
Last night was apparently an active one for candidates (and those who might be).
Toby “I’m not the evil one” Doeden was out in the field after his debacle of an interview on KELOland. Ironically, testing his positive/negative rating. I can almost guess which one is going to be up:
Also floating around in a different poll was someone testing the interest of people for Attorney General Marty Jackley in the race for both Congress. Yet, there was still a Gov. question at the end:
This is a weird period where rumors rule, and things are in flux. Affecting a few contests for statewide office.
It has been rumored that with Governor Rhoden in the race for well, Governor, along with Congressman Dusty Johnson, and the other two, the race for the big chair on the second floor of the Capitol is looking a bit crowded.
So, there’s talk that Marty is at least exploring his options on switching gears. And instead of running for Governor as many expected him to, he’s at least giving thought to the Congressional race. Yet.. he’s not necessarily letting go completely, as I’m told there was another question in this poll about Governor.
The problem with this for our Attorney General – And make no mistake, Marty is a good guy, and most Republicans including myself think the world of him – is that there’s a growing sense of inertia because supporters are less and less sure of what he’s running for. Donors are out there who may consider cutting him a check.. but they want to know specifically whether it’s Marty for Governor or Marty for Congress.
And the longer he waits to pick a lane.. the more commitments are going to have been made to other people. If Marty wants in on Campaign 2026 for a higher office, he might need to pick the trail he’s going to be running down very soon.
If you notice the polling question above, you notice that Lt. Governor Tony Venhuizen’s name is still in that mix, when many thought he was not. And I hear that’s also causing some consternation. The thought was that Venhuizen is rock solid with Rhoden serving loyally as his Lt. But, I’m told some Tony supporters of his in the congressional contest are saying don’t count Tony out. Which might make for some awkward conversations.
Stau tuned. I’m sure there’s a lot more to come.
Attorney General Jackley Announces South Dakota Receives Almost $2 Million Opioid Payment from Janssen Pharmaceuticals
PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that South Dakota has received payment of $1,967,317.50 in its latest opioid settlement from Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
“This payment is part of our efforts to hold companies accountable for their part in creating this nation’s opioid crisis,” said Attorney General Jackley. “Too many South Dakota families have suffered because of this crisis.”
Johnson & Johnson, which owns Janssen, agreed in 2021 to pay states more than $5 billion over nine years. This latest payment brings the amount received to $4,994,200.68. South Dakota is expected to receive a projected total of $9,357,950.77 from the Johnson & Johnson settlement.
The payments go into the National Opioid Settlement Fund administered by the South Dakota Department of Social Services. As part of the National Opioid Settlement, South Dakota is projected to receive nearly $80 million in funds from companies that helped fuel the opioid epidemic. These funds will be used for addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery.
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Congressman Dusty Johnson just took Toby Doeden back to school after Doeden tried to tell South Dakota last night, with a red face in a darkened room, the he himself was good and Congressman Dusty Johnson is somehow evil:
“South Dakotans deserve a leader who will bring our state together, who will lead with integrity, and who will demonstrate the value of being a work horse, not a show horse,” a statement sent Tuesday to KELOLAND News said. “It’s pretty clear Toby is not that person.”
Read that here at KELOLAND.com
Following up with a message to supporters, Congressman Johnson’s campaign noted that the kind of hate that Doeden is spewing is not dissimilar from the hate that was just experienced over in Minnesota. And that Toby’s kind of candidate is not just ugly, but dangerous to our Democracy:
It is said that politics is an ugly business, but this clip from last night is beyond the pale.
Given the tragedy that just occurred in our neighboring state, it’s undeniable that this type of extreme and hateful political talk crosses a line and this type of candidate is dangerous.
Doeden may quickly find that there’s no place for his red-faced brand of unhinged meanness in the race for Governor.
From CNN, it appears that former Governor Kristi Noem has been hospitalized after an allergic reaction:
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was transported by ambulance on Tuesday to a hospital in Washington, DC, after an allergic reaction, the Department of Homeland Security said.
“Secretary Noem had an allergic reaction today. She was transported to the hospital out of an abundance of caution. She is alert and recovering,” said DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin.
Johnson Protects Women’s Sports at U.S. Military Service Academies
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the Protection of Women in Sports at Military Academies Act to prohibit biological males from competing in women’s sports at United States military service academies.
“This is not a new concept – biological males and females should compete on separate playing fields,” said Johnson. “Our military service academies should remain focused on military readiness – not woke policies.”
“As someone who has personally experienced the consequences of unfair competition in women’s sports, I strongly support the Protection of Women in Sports at Military Academies Act,” said Riley Gaines, an outspoken advocate on prohibiting biological males from competing in women’s sports. “Our nation’s military academies should be the gold standard of fairness, discipline, and integrity—not institutions that sacrifice female athletes on the altar of political correctness. Title IX was designed to protect opportunities for women, and this bill ensures that protection remains intact for the brave young women training to lead our armed forces.”
“Our nation’s military service academies should reflect the highest standards of fairness, merit and opportunity. The idea that female cadets at our elite military schools should have to battle men in athletic programs is dangerous and regressive,” said Beth Parlato, senior legal advisor for Independent Women’s Law Center. “Title IX was exacted to give women equal opportunities to succeed, and this bill affirms what most Americans know: women’s sports are for women. We applaud Rep. Dusty Johnson for protecting the integrity of women’s sports and making it clear that female cadets deserve the same opportunity to train and compete as their predecessors fought for.”
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville introduced identical legislation in the Senate.
“Our service academies should be focused on preparing the next generation of leaders, not woke indoctrination,” said Senator Tuberville. “Unfortunately, under Joe Biden and radical Democrats, the woke mind virus made its way into our great military. Thankfully, President Trump and Secretary Hegseth have refocused the Pentagon on lethality. Allowing men to compete against women in sports at any level is wrong—and it’s especially wrong to use taxpayer dollars to pay for it at our service academies. As a proud grandfather to Rosie Grace, this is personal for me. I won’t stop fighting until the rights of females in this country to enjoy safe, fair competition are protected.”
Title IX was established to ensure equal opportunities for women in sports, and allowing biological males to compete in these categories directly undermines the intent of the law. While the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has failed to implement policies that adequately protect female college athletes, Congress has direct oversight of our nation’s military academies. This issue is not hypothetical—just last year, women’s volleyball teams were forced to either forfeit matches or compete under unfair conditions against teams that included biological males on their rosters.
The Protection of Women in Sports at Military Academies Act is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Burgess Owens (R-UT), Daniel Webster (R-FL), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Mike Simpson (R-ID), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), Robert B. Aderholt (R-AL), Barry Moore (R-AL), Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL), Gary Palmer (R-AL), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Michael Cloud (R-TX), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Chip Roy (R-TX), David Kustoff (R-TN), Roger Williams (R-TX), and Jeff Hurd (R-CO).
Read Fox News’s article on Johnson’s bill here.
Click here for bill text.
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Thune Remarks on Horrific Shootings in Minnesota
“There is no place for this kind of violence in our country. None.”
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:
Click here to watch the video.
Thune Remarks on Israeli Airstrikes in Iran
“President Trump and our country remain steadfast in our defense of Israel and committed to working toward peace in the Middle East and, first and foremost, for the safety of American personnel stationed in the region.”
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:
Click here to watch the video.