In an interview with South Dakota Searchlight, as we approach the end of the primary election cycle, Gubernatorial wannabee Toby Doeden seems to have opened up on his ridiculous campaign promise on how he’s going to eliminate property taxes in South Dakota. Or at least claims to.

He’s going to tax the hell out of the trust and financial industry in South Dakota, and hold tourists upside down to empty their pockets with new taxes. But don’t take my word for it, here’s what Doeden had to say:

O’BRIEN: You’ve been on this platform of eliminating property taxes in the state. How exactly do you plan to do that? Do you have kind of a step by step, what is that process going to look like then, for your administration?

DOEDEN: Absolutely, it’s actually quite rudimentary and very simple, old school money management, which the Republican Party used to have as their platform. It seems as though the Republican leadership in the state is now more of a progressive Democratic platform, raise taxes, you know, raised our state’s budget, spend more money. I’m going to do the opposite.

and..

Number 2, there are external revenue sources that are just waiting to be harvested and collected by South Dakota. But the career politicians have never even attempted because they like internal revenue. Internal revenue is the money that you pay out of your paycheck. It’s the money that you pay in sales tax, it’s the money you pay when you register your vehicle. That’s internal tax. It comes from a resident of South Dakota. External revenue comes from non-South Dakota residents. We’re talking about targeted visitor consumption tax. We’re talking about for the first time in our state’s history, charging all the rich billionaires from around the world that are parking their money here in legacy trusts, charging them a small fee like every other state does. So I am going to bring in some new revenue that’s not going to come from the taxpayers. It’s called external revenue.

And…

So once the economy starts growing, and it will, once I start collecting external revenue, which we will, and once I cut all of the fat and pork out of our state budget, you are going to see very quickly, within a matter of a couple of years, a significant amount of annual budget surpluses. And yes, I will use that money to target the phase out of things like property tax, tax on things like groceries and other household necessities. We will make South Dakota affordable again. It’s not that complicated and it won’t take near as long as what the politicians are trying to convince people that it’s going to take.

Read that here, and more importantly, listen to the interview at SD Searchlight.

So, if I’m going to get out of the house and go to Deadwood for a weekend, everyone going there is going to be hit with enough in tourism taxes to eliminate property taxes in the state?  That’s a pretty big fee on top of my hotel room.

And as for the financial/trust industry.. well, don’t have to worry about them parking money here anymore. They’ll immediately run for more friendly states.

Once again, nobody is proposing to solve ‘the property tax problem.’ Certainly not Toby. Just another tax-shift proposal which will end up hurting as many people who live in SD as it helps.

With the funds going to the central state government in Pierre to dictate how ‘this relief” is going to be handed out.

Reflections on Leadership
By: Governor Larry Rhoden
May 15, 2026

I have been blessed to serve in many leadership capacities in my life. Even after serving in the South Dakota National Guard, Majority Leader in the State Legislature, or as Lt. Governor and now Governor, there is still much to learn. My service to our state has afforded me even more exposure to leaders I would like to emulate, and some I’d rather not.

In my first week as Governor, I shared my desire for South Dakota to show how public service can and should be conducted. I laid out that one of the pillars of my administration would be civility, and I believe we’ve lived up to that. And along the way, I’ve realized that civility is a foundation of four qualities of leaders who get results: Stewardship, Temperament, Judgement, and Integrity.

Stewardship. Leaders should not be dictators. After all, “Under God, the People Rule.” Our authority is given in trust to serve the people. A governor has to make tough calls between right and wrong with people and policy. The goal is always to leave things better than I found them. Sometimes, that is an exciting announcement that will change the future of our state, like new opportunities for downtown development or reducing crime by double-digits. But vision requires less exciting behind-the-scenes work that can be best described as “maintenance.” I am working every day to pour solid, heavy, and level footings for the next generation to rise from. Plans are fine, but I prefer to lean on my results, large and small.

Temperament. Leaders need to have the mental, emotional, psychological, and physical strength to remain calm – all while acting clearly and decisively during good times and bad. Early on in my career, I learned to be a person who keeps their focus even if everyone else around me is losing theirs. I have tried to adhere to the words of 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Judgment. A leader is called on to make hundreds of decisions daily. The stress does not come from the number of them, but for me it is the desire to ensure I am making these decisions thoughtfully – no matter how comparatively small. Thankfully, I have a capable team of principled public servants who discuss civilly and help me make the best choices to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free. And building that team requires good judgment of character.

And last, but most important, is integrity. It almost feels patronizing to point this out, but a good leader must be honest with thoughts, words, and actions that match. Elected leaders should not have a pass on this characteristic. Above everything else, I will continue to be a Governor who tells the truth with care, even when it is difficult or unpopular. I most respect people who are honest with me, and I care too much about the people of South Dakota to have anything less than full integrity.

We make and keep South Dakota strong when we work together. Growing up in rural South Dakota, I learned about the importance of community. South Dakotans are rugged and fiercely independent – but we look out for our neighbors, and we are grounded in humility. I hope to reflect that same selflessness and fortitude as your Governor.

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Just had a reader send me this one from Liz May’s PAC. Because is seems that Liz has Joe Biden syndrome, and is lacking in acuity and capacity to the point where she’s just making things up:

The PAC belonging to Hillary Clinton Donor Liz May states “South Dakota was loud and clear in 2024 when they sent strong conservatives like Kaleb Weis to Pierre!”   Umm, hate to break it to Liz Biden.. er, Liz May, but South Dakota didn’t send Kaleb Weis anywhere in 2024:

No, we were stuck with the equally doltish Brandei Schaefbauer in 2024.  And Weis was nowhere to be seen.  Because Weis came in dead last in the primary on 2022.

So, when Liz and her PAC are trying to tell you they sent a strong conservative anything to Pierre.. you might want to check if she took her meds that day.

From Twitter, Senate Republicans led by Senator Thune is getting the job done:

🚨 HUGE SENATE MOVE 🚨

The U.S. Senate has advanced 49 Trump nominees in a single 51–46 vote — including U.S. Attorneys across the country, a major step for federal law enforcement and the administration’s agenda. pic.twitter.com/PNsqA652Cm

— Salem News Channel (@WatchSalemNews) May 14, 2026

Attorney General Jackley Announces Pierre Man Indicted on Rape, Sexual Contact Charges

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that a Pierre man has been indicted on 11 counts, including five counts of Rape in the First Degree, involving two people under the age of 13.

Jarrett High Bear, 33, was indicted Wednesday by a Hughes County Grand Jury. He was indicted on five counts of Rape in the First Degree which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of up to life in prison for each count, two counts of Fourth Degree Rape which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, three counts of Sexual Contact with a Child Under the Age of Sixteen, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for each count, and one additional count of Sexual Contact With a Child Under the Age of Sixteen, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison,

The crimes occurred between January 2018 and March 2026

Pierre’s Police Department investigated the case. The Attorney General’s Office and the Hughes County State’s Attorney’s Office will prosecute.

The defendant is being held on a $25,000 cash bond in the Hughes County Jail. He is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.

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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.