Rhoden for Governor Unveils “Job Done” Ad

Pierre, SD – Today, the Rhoden for Governor unveiled the “Job Done” ad, which highlights the things that set Governor Larry Rhoden apart in this gubernatorial election. You can find the ad here.

“I’m the only one in this race who’s made a living in ag – raising cattle to help feed the world,” says Governor Larry Rhoden in the ad. “I’m the only one who’s served the nation in uniform – with a family history of service to America. And I’m the only one actually doing the job of Governor – delivering results to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free.”

Governor Rhoden has run his family’s ranch in Meade County for over 40 years. He served for six years in the South Dakota National Guard and is the first former guardsman since the legendary Joe Foss to serve as Commander in Chief of the South Dakota National Guard.

Rhoden’s great-great-great grandfather came to America with French General Lafayette and fought in the American Revolution to help deliver independence for the United States. His grandfather fought in World War I, including through the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. His father fought in World War II, including in the Battle of the Bulge, and he also helped liberate the infamous Mauthausen concentration camp. His brother fought in the Vietnam War, and his son Cody flew Blackhawk helicopters in the armed forces.

Learn more about Governor Larry Rhoden’s results to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free at RhodenResults.com.

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Johnson Strengthens Fuel Supply Chain with Vote to Secure Year-Round E15 Sales

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) voted to secure the sale of year-round E15 nationwide, strengthening fuel supply chain stability. The Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act passed the House of Representatives by a bipartisan 218-203 vote.

“Year-round E15 sales is a big win for farmers and consumers,” said Johnson. “For years, I’ve been working to reach a deal that gives consumers a cheaper option at the pump, supports American agriculture producers, and increases homegrown energy production. I hope the Senate will act soon and send this bill to President Trump’s desk.”

Johnson is a member of the Rural Domestic Energy Council, which was tasked with bringing E15 legislation to the floor. He is an original cosponsor of the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act.

Click here or the image above to watch Johnson’s remarks

Background:

• Current law requires states to opt out of the E10 waiver to allow E15 sales during summer months, creating uncertainty and dysfunction in the gasoline market, driving up gasoline prices.
  • Refiners begin manufacturing fuel in February to meet federally-required summer gasoline specifications and begin shipping it. Temporary emergency waivers can provide short-term relief in some circumstances but have historically come too late given the significant lead time required to make and deliver summer gasoline. These emergency waivers can only be provided in 20-day increments, which adds an additional level of complexity and uncertainty.
• U.S. sales of E15 hit a record 1.52 billion gallons in 2025, an increase of 23% over 2024 sales.
• Drivers typically save 10-30 cents per gallon when filling up with E15 compared to E10.
• E15 is suitable for cars model year 2001 and newer.

The Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act:

• Allows the year-round sale of E15 fuel nationwide.
  • Doing so prevents a patchwork of unique state requirements while not impacting the supply of E10.
• Defines small refining companies as those that do not exceed 75,000 barrels per day of crude oil, per company, rather than per facility (current law).
  • This ensures large companies cannot claim “small” status to not comply with the Renewable Fuel Standard law.
  • Provides small refining companies with an automatic 75% exemption starting in 2028.
• Terminates the current small refinery exemption process on July 1, 2028, and prohibits the reallocation of exempted volumes starting in compliance year 2028, ensuring other refiners are not affected by these exempted volumes.
• Provides an additional emergency exemption pool for refineries at risk of imminent closure, permanent idling, or conversion to a renewable fuel production facility due to the cost of compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Click here for bill text.

The PAC’n Heat organization has been active in postcarding the last several elections, and in their push for the 2026 cycle, it looks like there’s a countdown going on. All I can get out of them is to watch their facebook page starting at about 5:05 this afternoon.

Based on prior content, they’re not going to be pulling many punches in how they view the primary election battles:

You can view and follow here on Facebook.

PRESS RELEASE: Immediate Release 

John Fitzgerald announces candidacy for South Dakota Attorney General 

John Fitzgerald announced today, May 12, 2026, that he has stepped down from his position as a Fourth Circuit Court Judge in Sturgis, South Dakota, to seek the Republican nomination for South Dakota Attorney General. 

Fitzgerald is a graduate of Black Hills State University in Spearfish and the University of South Dakota School of Law. 

Fitzgerald served 42 years as a South Dakota State’s Attorney in Butte and Lawrence counties and is believed to be the longest-serving State’s Attorney in South Dakota history. 

In November 2022, Fitzgerald was elected as a Fourth Circuit Court Judge, serving eight northwestern South Dakota counties. 

“Serving as a Circuit Judge has been an honor and has given me an even deeper appreciation for the rule of law, the Bill of Rights, and the importance of equal justice,” Fitzgerald said. 

As an aggressive prosecutor, Fitzgerald tried cases involving murder, rape, robbery, kidnapping, and virtually every other category of crime. Throughout his career, he built a reputation for being tough on violent offenders and committed to protecting victims and property rights. 

“The Attorney General’s Office plays a critical role in protecting public safety,” Fitzgerald said. “I believe my judgment, courtroom experience, and knowledge as a lawyer have prepared me to lead the fight against crime in our state, especially violent crime.” 

Fitzgerald’s wife, Mary Fitzgerald, serves in the South Dakota House of Representatives from Lawrence County. Together, they have three grown children and six grandchildren.

Attorney General Jackley Joins Amicus Brief Requesting U.S. Supreme Court Uphold Stay on Mifepristone Requirements

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces he has joined 22 other Attorneys General in filing an amicus brief requesting the U.S. Supreme Court uphold a lower court’s stay of a federal regulation that removed the longstanding in-person dispensing requirement for the chemical abortion drug mifepristone.

The brief supports the state of Louisiana, which is suing the federal Food and Drug Administration for a 2023 rule that removed the in-person dispensing requirement. That allowed the drug to be shipped across state lines.

“South Dakota lawmakers and citizens have said repeatedly they want stronger rules for the distribution of this drug,” said Attorney General Jackley. “The states, not the federal government, should make their own decisions on this dangerous drug.”

Nebraska filed the brief. Other states involved were Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

The brief can be found here:

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Just had a reader point this out to me, that Governor Larry Rhoden’s Ag Summit is being held in Pierre at the same time as the Republican State Convention in Rapid City:

I would wager that the Ag Summit will have better sponsors too.

Okay, this made me laugh.

A new PAC, said to be coming out of the Doeden-sphere, is hitting Jon Hansen for being weak on crime with a text blast to Republican phones:

The PAC is fronted by Tabor Schabot of Aberdeen. You can find out more at JailbreakJon.com

Christine Erickson for Mayor and her boys talk about what it takes to run a household – and a city!

From the NRA-PVF website, the national second amendment organization NRA has released its ratings of the candidates in the gubernatorial race, ranking three of the four equally, but giving the endorsement to the incumbent (as they have a habit of doing).

Read that and more of the NRA’s endorsed candidates here.

Governor Rhoden, who got the nod, Congressman Dusty Johnson, and that one guy, are all ranked equally. But it looks like Toby Doeden is unranked, his stance with the NRA a big question mark and possibly having bagged the NRA entirely.

Kind of a rookie mistake. But then again, for Toby this is his first Gubernatorial primary. Both running as a candidate, and voting in one.