Well, there’s a first. Mike Zitterich actually managed to turn in a petition to run for office, unlike his previous attempts:

In a statement sent to the Argus Leader, Zitterich said that he wants to “infuse into my platform the America-First concept, by establishing a Sioux Falls First Agenda, of promoting strong ethical, and christian principles back in government,” adding that he’s interested in creating a “Government Financial Transparency” office to examine city spending.

And…

His press release points to a website with several articles authored by Zitterich, including one in which he claimed that “Great Britain has remained in full control of the United States” despite the outcome of the American Revolution.

Read that in the Argus Leader.

God save the king? Oookay..

At least that’s not as bad as the last time Mike Zitterich was on our radar, as he explained why it’s ok for 16 year old girls to be married off to 45 year old men:

“By the time your children reach their teenage years, ages 13-19 becoming young adults, they begin to earn our respect, earning the the right to become employed (age 13), to drive on public roads (age 14), and beginning to form their own adult like relationships. Mind you, all by pertaining by the rules and guidelines as laid down by the rules of the home, their parents, so by age 16, they may get married to any adult older than 16”

…. the b.s media clam that anyone having sex with a teenager is a pedo, when in fact, it simply violates the consent laws, where the parents must be involved in those types of relationships.”

Read that here (with a copy of his original Facebook post)

And folks, that is why candidate quality matters. Because this is what you get when it doesn’t.

Unless you like people in office who think Great Britain is still in control, and old men should be able to marry little girls. (With the parent’s involvement, as per Zitterich.)

Thune: Small Businesses Are the Backbone of Our Economy

 “We want to give small businesses certainty by making these pro-growth tax policies permanent.”

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.

From phones in District 25 this morning, it looks like today’s theme continues to be fighting from the hard right against themselves.

The anti-pipeline people are on the attack against Senator Tom Pischke because he stepped out of line of a John “California” Carley bill this last session that went down in flames in committee, calling him out for being a “socialist green new deal agenda” supporter.

That being said, the attack seems to be coming from Arch Beal’s favorite poking target, scummy lobbyist Anthony Miryzanats, who has also been going at Pischke for avoiding support for Miryzanats’ looney anti-chemtrail candidate petitions, as opposed to Pischke’s own looney chemtrail efforts.

If you recall the poll from SD News Watch this last week, it seems that the people who are affected most significantly by it are the ones who were in last place; Jon Hansen (2%) and Toby Doeden (4%).

Why? Because their supporters, or at least former supporters, are drawing up battle lines and going on the attack.

As 4% (Doeden) starts touring around the state speaking to groups doing meet and greets (while not looking meetable or greetable)..

The 2%’ers (Hansen/Lemmings) are having a bit of a freak out:

SPEAKING OF GRIFTERS

A certain businessman from Aberdeen is still making noise about trying to be the “true conservative” that will save us all.

and..

A few of you may be wondering why I am even mentioning someone who hasn’t even announced his candidacy yet. Well, that’s because in the past several weeks, Toby Doeden and his campaign staff have been making contact with hundreds of legislators and influential people throughout the state, making his intentions clear. In the process, the Toby people are making this basic argument: Toby can win because he has MORE MONEY. Jon & Karla can’t win because they have LESS MONEY.

Is money our god now?

and..

All that you can do at this point in time, now that Jon and Karla have announced their candidacy to a very enthusiastic group of Patriots all over this state, is screw it all up for the rest of us.

Look, I’d consider supporting Toby if we were bereft of any better Patriot options. But we’re not bereft, we’re blessed, with a bonafide Patriot team with a very pro-Grassroots history. From a purely logical viewpoint, the only thing that Doeden can possibly accomplish by entering the race at this point is to divide the grassroots, watering down our chances to defeat the Establishment. Some in the movement suspect that is the entire reason that Toby is being pushed by certain poltical actors in South Dakota. Sabotage.

A new term I’ve been hearing around the coffee machine is “Tobidoed”, which is when Toby Doeden gets someone alone in a room and threatens to “end their career” if they get in his way. I’ve had personal confirmation that this happened to a well-known Patriot legislator friend. Don’t worry, he’s still on the Patriot Train.

Read that here.

Interestingly, Looney Chris Larson’s screed attacking Doeden was posted on Nichole Braitwait’s website. She’s one of the people in the North Hills who just posted side-by side with Doeden in Spearfish a few weeks back.

Similarly, people like Rep. Tina Mulally, who had been at that rally, and was also one of those in attendance in Doeden’s Mark “I’m a black nazi” Robinson rally this last fall, is now seen in attendance in the Hanson/Lems rallies.

Is it just me, or are the same people who were in attendance at Toby’s big rally last fall worshiping at his feet like he was a golden calf (or at least a cash cow) now telling Toby that he’s going to screw it up for them, and looking to him as a different sort of livestock – a scapegoat?

We’ll just have to see who is going to blink.

South Dakota Teenage Republican had been on the decline in the state. But they are coming back to life, and are once again holding TAR camp out in the Hills this summer. And, registration is now open:

Click here to register or for more information!

Small Business Is A Big Deal
By Sen. John Thune

The first week of May is National Small Business Week, an opportunity to celebrate the entrepreneurs, small business owners, farmers, and ranchers who make up South Dakota’s small businesses. They are the backbone of our economy, they’re job creators and innovators, and I’m proud to represent South Dakota’s small businesses in the U.S. Senate.

Meeting with South Dakota small business owners is often on my agenda whether I’m at home in South Dakota or they’re visiting Washington, D.C. I know small business owners are facing multiple challenges right now, and I’m focused on doing everything I can to help small businesses be successful. Getting input directly from business owners, farmers, and ranchers is the best way to help me do that.

We have important work to do this year on behalf of small businesses. One of our top priorities is making the 2017 Republican-led tax cuts permanent to prevent a $600 billion tax hike on small businesses. Without action, the entire economy would face a massive $4 trillion tax hike next year. One thing I often hear from small business owners is how important the 199A small business deduction is to them. For the last several years, small businesses have used this deduction to lower their tax burden, allowing them to invest in their operations and employees, and remain competitive with large corporations. It’s estimated that making this permanent would result in 1.2 million additional jobs per year, and it’s just one of the pro-small business, pro-jobs policies we’re working to make permanent.

The 2017 tax law also doubled the exemption for the death tax, and I’m continuing my years-long effort to fully eliminate this fundamentally flawed tax. Earlier this year, I introduced the Death Tax Repeal Act, which would put an end to the death tax once and for all. Eliminating this onerous tax would ensure small businesses and family farms and ranches would be relieved from burdensome planning and aren’t stuck with a huge tax bill when one generation dies and passes the operation on to the next generation.

I’m also working on other legislation that will help strengthen small businesses. I recently introduced the Strengthening Local Processing Act, which would provide support to smaller meat and poultry processors. This bill would not only help small processors, it would provide more options for livestock producers and create job opportunities in local markets. Another bill I introduced would simplify and standardize state income tax collection for employees who travel outside of their home state for temporary work, alleviating burdensome tax requirements for both employees and employers.

Sometimes the best thing we can do for small businesses is just keep government out of the way, and the Trump administration and Congress are making progress on regulatory relief. We’ve eliminated a number of burdensome regulations through the Congressional Review Act process. Farmers, ranchers, and other landowners will be glad to know the Trump administration has initiated a collaborative process to craft an alternative to the out-of-touch Biden-era WOTUS rule. And Republicans are working to deliver on our promise to unleash American energy to support more affordable and reliable energy for all Americans.

South Dakota’s small businesses are an essential part of the fabric of our communities and our way of life. I’m proud to represent so many hard-working entrepreneurs, and it’s always heart-warming to see family-owned businesses still going strong – businesses like the Star Family Restaurant in Murdo where I got my start as a busboy. They’re a key part of what makes South Dakota great, and I’m proud to celebrate them this Small Business Week.

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Rep. Reder Announces Resignation, Gov. Rhoden Seeks Public Input on Replacement

PIERRE, S.D. –  On Thursday, Representative Chris Reder announced that he has resigned his seat in the State House of Representatives. Upon Representative Reder’s resignation, Governor Larry Rhoden requested public input on filling the District 1 vacancy.

Reder represented District 1, which includes the counties of Brown, Day, Marshall, and Roberts. He was elected to the State House of Representatives this past November and served during the 2025 legislative session.

Those wishing to be considered for the vacancy in the House of Representatives, or to offer nominations, should email ryan.brunner@state.sd.us. Nominations should include the candidate’s name, current physical address, resume, cover letter, and letters of recommendation. All nomination materials must be submitted by Friday, May 23, 2025.

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Championing Freedom for Ranchers, Consumers, and American Fuel
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
May 2, 2025

BIG News

Heather and Charles Maude, fifth generation West River ranchers, faced up to ten years in prison over a fence line dispute with the Biden Administration’s U.S. Forest Service. Thankfully, under the leadership of President Trump, cooler heads prevailed. This week, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the criminal charges against the Maude family were dropped.

Thanks to the advocacy of people like you, the Trump Administration, members of Congress, and more, we brought an end the to this political prosecution. I was honored to join Secretary Rollins, Secretary Noem, and the Maudes to celebrate this outcome.

 Click here or the image above to watch the press conference

BIG Idea

Transportation issues were the talk of the town this week. The House of Representatives debated and passed legislation blocking California’s zero-emissions requirements for vehicles. These mandates would force all vehicles sold in California to be zero-emissions (electric vehicles) by 2035. Because it’s inefficient for manufacturers to make different cars for different states, California’s mandates would effectively apply to the whole country. All Americans should have the choice to purchase the car the best fits their needs. The government should not make that decision for them.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, that I am a member of, considered its portion of the budget reconciliation bill. Our package reduces spending by more than $10 billion while making historic investments in the Coast Guard and air traffic control. Updates to our outdated air traffic control technology nationwide will be great for our towers at the Rapid City and Sioux Falls airports.

BIG Update

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the sale of year-round E-15 sales, just days after my colleagues and I sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin asking for this waiver to be approved. This decision supports South Dakota producers, gives consumers a cheaper option at the pump, and bolsters our energy security.

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Attorney General Jackley Announces Pierre Woman Indicted on Charges to Defraud Medicaid Program 

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that a Pierre woman has been indicted on six felony counts of defrauding the South Dakota Medicaid Program of more than $588,000 in federal and state funds.

Sharon Laraye Monson, 48, is accused of stealing the money as the owner of At Home Nursing in Pierre. The charges occur from May 1, 2018 to Jan. 1, 2024.

“The defendant is accused of taking advantage of people who needed this type of service, and who relied on Medicaid to pay for it,” said Attorney General Jackley.

Monson is charged with three counts of Unlawfully Obtaining Benefits or Payments from a Medical Assistance Program, and one count each of Aggravated Grand Theft, Perjury to Obtain State Benefits, and Failure to Keep Necessary Records Upon Which Medicaid Claim is Based. She faces a combined maximum prison or county jail sentence of 42 years if found guilty of all six charges.

The defendant has not yet had an initial court appearance. She is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.

This release is provided in compliance with the federal Stevens Amendment: The South Dakota Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives 75% of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling approximately $1,002,576 for Federal Fiscal Year 2025. The remaining 25%, totaling approximately $334,188 for Federal Fiscal Year 2025, was funded by the State of South Dakota.

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I’m working on a little history project, in part for fun, and I stumbled across this news item from 1976, which I think could be oddly prophetic for the SDGOP as it is now:

July 14, 1976, as it appeared in the Mitchell Daily Republic, the Chairman Leo Thorsness and his Assistant Roger Meyer (you know the former chair in Yankton – still carrying water for the elephant 50 years later!) are burning the note to end the South Dakota Republican Party’s debt, which rose as high as $90,000 back in 1976.

In today’s dollars, that’s nearly $500,000 of debt that the party had racked up at one time and paid down. The SDGOP has had minor bank notes since, but this might have been the most massive debt the party had.

Which given the state of the South Dakota Republican Party’s current finances and inability to raise money as led by former Obama Democrat Jim Eschenbaum, we might see a return to the SDGOP carrying that kind of debt load if someone is willing to sign the note.