My text messages have been blowing up this morning, as an announcement (for an announcement) has been made on Facebook involving State Representative Jon Hansen and Representative Karla Lems.

A little late for April Fools, but here’s what it is:

Promising an “Announcement for the future of South Dakota,” as sponsored by “the People First PAC,” it certainly gives off vibes like this might be an announcement for Gov/Lt. Gov.  Which is surprising, since Hansen is not qualified to run for Attorney General, much less be in charge of the entirety of state government.  I believe Lems at least has some experience running a business, so I’m not sure what Hansen brings to the ticket…

Fundraising experience, perhaps?  (Sorry dude, I only have a $20, and I’m not giving you that.)  Hopefully he isn’t going to pull a Rick Weiland and drag that out at the campaign events.

Otherwise, the Political Action Committee underwriting this event is “The People First PAC,” a Political Action Committee that was formed less than a month ago with former Representative Randy Gross as the person behind it:

As opposed to an actual campaign committee, using a PAC is a curious move. The thing that does come to mind is that there is a loophole (the Doeden Loophole) allowing unlimited funds to be “loaned” to a PAC that does not close until the law changes July 1.  So we will see.

A number of us are also curious to see how long until this logo changes.  Why?

Sometimes you’re so far right that you’re left. And the truth bubbles up to the surface.

** Update**

Here, I have a better graphic of the announcement.

In case you needed a palate cleanser after the State SDGOP has been trashing Republicans. Senator and Senate Majority Leader John Thune had a sell-out crowd today at the Pennington County Republican Women’s luncheon in what looked to be a great event:

Good on both them and Senator Thune for a great event for doing the job they’re supposed to!

South Dakota Leaders Back Rasner Media’s TikTok Deal, Urge Trump Administration Support

Pierre, SD – Rasner Media’s bid to secure and transform TikTok has received public endorsements from the South Dakota Retailers Association, the South Dakota State Chamber of Commerce, and the South Dakota Governor’s Office.
Citing national data security, emerging quantum computing capabilities, and the opportunity to build a fourth legacy industry, South Dakota leaders are encouraging President Trump and federal decision-makers to support Rasner Media’s vision.

While no final decision has been made on operational locations, Rasner Media has committed to ensuring South Dakota remains a key partner in its mission to protect American digital platforms, create high-tech jobs, and chart a secure future for TikTok.

We believe in safeguarding digital freedom. South Dakota was a key catalyst in the movement to protect Americans from being spied on by the Chinese Communist Party, so we are a fitting landing spot for a new and improved TikTok.

We are building a strong coalition to accomplish this vision alongside Rasner Media and key stakeholders, and we encourage President Trump to support this critical step forward for the country.

– Governor Larry Rhoden, State of South Dakota

Our 4,000 member-businesses recognize that innovation, adaptation, and capitalizing on opportunity are key to any successful enterprise. We urge national leaders to give this plan the green light.

– Dr. Nathan Sanderson, South Dakota Retailers Executive Director

This deal is focused on putting American consumers and businesses first and will forge pro-America leadership in tech. South Dakota Chamber is proud to support Rasner Media and encourages the Trump Administration to do the same.

– David Owen, President of South Dakota State Chamber of Commerce

This is about protecting American data and creating American jobs. South Dakota has stepped up as a strategic partner, and the future is looking brighter than ever. This is a strong America First coalition that is eager for President Trump to greenlight us in this bold effort to protect American data, defeat Chinese Communist Party espionage attempts, and protect TikTok for Americans.

– Reid Rasner, CEO of Rasner Media

Just had a legislator send me a text message:

wtf is this? – https://www.sdgop.com/2025/04/14/a-tale-of-two-political-movements

They – and myself – were quite surprised to see the SDGOP website having directly posted an attack from Hillary Clinton donor and Republican State Representative Liz May against the Governor and Lt. Governor. In part:

The “Open For Opportunity Tour,” led by Gov. Rhoden and Lt. Gov. Venhuizen, gives us a pretty clear picture of which movement they belong to. The Governor’s Office of Economic Development has approved millions in taxpayer-funded grants to support big business.

Meanwhile, their tour includes stops at major corporations like Masaba, Inc. and Manitou in Yankton, as well as visits to schools and universities.

But not a single stop, word, or acknowledgement of the Maude fence line dispute — an issue that impacts real South Dakotans, not just balance sheets. Crickets from the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Secretary of Agriculture.

and..

Why? Is it because there’s no political capital to be gained? Or is there another reason?

Read that here.

You know, that’s kind of interesting.  I had legislators like Spencer Gosch and especially Jon Hansen going to the party to cry about what I wrote on my own website, using my own resources, trying to cancel me for having the temerity to say that we as Republicans can do better.  I always suggested that they should be instructed to come to me directly if they had an issue, which never happened.

Yet, now with a change of party leadership, along with the chairman taking shots, the SDGOP is directly posting and hosting attacks against Republican elected officials on the opposite side of things?

Somehow, I’m not holding my breath that they’re going to come back and say “all is forgiven.”

So, me poking at Republicans saying stupid things or noting when they commit outright bad acts on my own website is bad. But when Hillary Clinton Donor Liz May, or 32 year Democrat/Obama Voter Jim Eschenbaum directly use their position or SDGOP resources to attack Republican elected officials, it’s good?

Hopefully they’ll clarify, so we know the rules from here on out.

At what point is it appropriate for the chairman of the SDGOP to meddle in primary elections?

Don’t ask former 32-year Democrat Jim Eschenbaum, as once again he’s shooting off his mouth to the media about one of our elected officeholders, and inserting himself into the next Gubernatorial primary:

“I think Governor Rhoden did very well this legislative session,” Eschenbaum said. But he said there is still plenty of time between now and the primary election on June 2, 2026.

Eschenbaum told South Dakota Searchlight that many Republicans he speaks with are critical of Johnson. A name they like is state House Speaker Jon Hansen.

Hansen would sometimes be introduced as “our governor” during rallies in opposition of Summit’s pipeline.

Read that here.

Just another reminder that he comes to the job of SDGOP chair not with the greater interest of the party in mind. He arrived with his own agenda, which involves elevating his cronies into higher office.

Here’s the downside of taking one for the team, in reference to Democrat Sheryl Johnson who ran this last election for Congress against Dusty Johnson:

SherylJohnson Termination 1q 2025 FEC Report by Pat Powers on Scribd

In taking one for the team, Sheryl’s committee ends with a duplicate payment returned, which allowed her to pay off consultants, and to walk away with $1912.10 left over from her refund for a mailing not issued/duplicate payment.  And with no fanfare, it’s over.

I suppose it could be worse, and she could be sitting with $36k in debt and going to events in a green hat & matching outfit, like Justin McNeal?

Well.. At least she is walking away with her dignity.

US Senator and Senate Majority Leader John Thune continues to be THE  juggernaut of fundraising among his fellow elected South Dakota Republicans, with enough cash on hand that he’s well prepared for any contest that would arise in the future:

1q Senator Thune FEC Report by Pat Powers on Scribd

With transfers from other committees, dividends, interest, and $405,072.90 in contributions, Senator Thune raised $620,052.67 in the first quarter of the year against expenses of $202,294.59.  Looking at that, It actually puts him in the same range as Senator Rounds for what he raised, which tells you that Rounds is working it.

Senator Thune’s cross to bear as Senate Majority Leader is that he is going to have higher expenses than might be typical for someone like Senator Rounds in comparison for political expenses which are paid out of his committee. But then again, if he was in cycle for an election, by that same token he would be raising plenty.

Otherwise, with $15,802,095.35 cash on hand at the end of the quarter, having to spend a little more is not a big concern.

US Senator Mike Rounds had a good 1st quarter in 2025, raising a respectable amount of cash which will only accelerate with an opponent announcing last week:

2025 1q Mike Rounds FEC Report by Pat Powers on Scribd

A net of $337,056.87 raised against expenditures of less than $40,000, leaving Mike $2,182,079.29 cash on hand to go into the second quarter of 2025.  That’s plenty of cash to get his campaign apparatus set up up and moving for the 2026 election.

A New Economic Boost for South Dakota
by Rep. Kent Roe

WOW! Deuel County, District 4 and the whole state may just be in for the largest economic boost we’re ever seen.

$4,300,000,000.00 – 200 plus jobs – $13,000,000.00 in payroll.

Yep. Count the zeros. That’s $4.3 BILLION.

First on the public agenda this morning at the Deuel County Commissioners meeting was Applied Digital, a Dallas TX based company. We met yesterday afternoon in anticipation of their presentation this morning. This is the same company currently constructing the data center in Ellendale ND.

There’s a lot to pack in here. Their proposal is to construct, on private land, a 900,000 square foot data center. Applied Digital is the “landlord” and they lease space to clients who use the facility. In this case, the site is anticipated to be leased to an AI company. This data center would cost approximately $4.3 billion. That’s a big number. BIG. NUMBER. We’re working with Applied Digital and also Dickey County in North Dakota as to how to establish the assessed value of an animal like this. Suffice it to say, the property tax generated by this economic powerhouse will likely be north of $5,000,000.00 a year. (I’m using Amtec in Deuel County to speculate on this. Their assessed value is $2.9 million and their tax load is about $50,000- from public record) Meaningful, especially to Deuel County.

More? 200 jobs. Applied Digital, in their presentation to the Deuel County Commissioners, posits the very high likelihood that these 200 jobs will pay an ~$65,000 year average wage/salary. More math, that’s ~$13,000,000.00 in payroll.

More? Yep. The energy consumed by the data center is taxed at 4.2%. The data center will consume either side of 100 megawatts of electricity. That’s more than the city of Watertown highest days use EVER. Sales tax revenue generated by this entrepreneur will be steady, reliable and constant. Every dollar they spend on electricity will PAY the state 4.2%.

More? In typical economies 7 jobs from one source will typically create an additional job nearby but unrelated to the host. So, it’s likely the non-direct jobs creation would be another 25+ jobs for entrepreneurs. Enterprises like daycare, bowling alleys, convenience stores, accountants, attorneys, etc.

More? This big idea presents opportunity for people. It creates competition in the labor market. Brings capital into the area. Creates more opportunities for our kids. Proves that South Dakota is open for business.

The downside: Plenty of people will peck away at this, I’ll let them have their fun. At the end of the day this is a winner.

I plan on working with Applied Digital, the Governor, the legislature, Deuel County and all interested parties to make this work. But it will take an effort by all to land this plane. Our legislature needs to create a long term and enduring platform for Applied Digital, and, additional enterprises, to work from.

We cannot go changing the rules midway through the process. I believe we can benefit immensely from the enterprise.

Join me in supporting a great guest. Let’s be the type of host we can count on.

Just had this pop up in my facebook feed with regards to tomorrow’s event with the Pennington County Republican Women featuring Senator John Thune:

Noticing it, my immediate reaction was good on them for featuring our senior US Senator. But also, a realization dawned on me that really, a number of those involved in Republican Women have stepped up and started doing some of the things that some of the more volatile county organizations have just stopped doing.

Off hand, would you think the Pennington County GOP itself would host an event featuring Senator Thune? No. Not likely at this point. They’d rather bring goofball & former Congressman Steve King to be their speaker.

Really, if you think about it, they or their members have taken over functions that the party at large does not have the resources or willingness to do anymore.

Last election, in the face of no funding from counties caring to meet their quotas, or the ability to raise money due to the chaos that the populists have wrought upon the party itself, there was no material in support of candidates being put out as had happened in previous years. For several elections before, the SDGOP had put out sometimes multiple slate cards and elections mailers across the state to help win elections.  But this last election? Nothing.

But – a group of Republican women decided that since the party could not do it, they would. And they sent the only slate mailer in support of candidates across SD.

Before that, they also had put into place an excellent calendar of events for Republican activities, which is still in use. While the party at large is still trying to figure out whether they want to put phone numbers or not on their website, and is having endless meetings after meetings on the topic, SDFRW is just quietly doing the work.

In the most recent development of the SDFRW taking over the function of the work the party had done in the past, former SDFRW President Catherine Barranco stepped up, and has taken over the organization of the Teenage Republican group. TARs had somewhat languished in recent years, dropping off events as party resources dried up, with TAR camp ultimately being canceled in the recent past.

But now, TAR camp is back on, as a vital lifeline to engaging young people to learn about politics and leadership.

I believe the common thread is that when it comes to the organization itself, in these examples, and what they have managed to do right is that they have found a path forward where they can leave egos and personal agendas aside, act for the greater good of the organization itself, and support Republicans.

A quality that has been lost on many of those who have taken over the Central Committee and those who have taken over the Republican Party.  Where the chairman is more worried about kicking out RINOs out of the party, scorcarding GOP officeholders, trash-talking the staff, joining Democrats to attack the DC Delegation, and causing the GOP at large to resemble a long-lasting and toxic tire fire.