There’s been a battle that’s taken place recently with Independent turned Republican.. turned whatever.. Justin McNeal in his continuing saga to be placed on the South Dakota ballot.

Back on July 1st, McNeal filed for a writ of mandamus against the Secretary of State, demanding to be placed on the ballot, which you can read below.

Justin McNeal Lawsuit Against SDSOS to go on ballot by Pat Powers on Scribd

Of course, the South Dakota Republican Party took issue with that, since neither trying to run as a Republican, nor trying to run as an independent, did Justin McNeal collect enough valid signatures to do so in either case.

SDGOP MCNEAL Intervenor by Pat Powers on Scribd

The big news coming from this is that I’m told that Justin McNeal got his day in court this morning – and I’m told that once again, he lost.

This would appear to be a trend for Justin.

A couple of interesting items I noted in the lawsuit:

State Representative Scott Odenbach and his wife were signatories for McNeal’s petitions to run as an independent for Congress.  I get the feeling he does not care for Congressman Johnson.

You have to wonder who all the SOS staff cheers for in making and not making the ballot, as indicated from this transcript McNeal provided as an exhibit. And wouldn’t it be Justin McNeal’s job to go hire someone for legal advice, versus receiving it from the SOS staff?

“If you did want to take this to court, you could potentially win on the fact that signers did do their job on signing the petition.”

Obviously, with McNeal’s loss in court this morning, the court disagreed.

Well, here’s another one for your bingo card of “things I wasn’t expecting.”

Recall a week or so back, when I was giving a rundown of what was happening in the constitutional office races for 2026? I had mentioned the scuttlebutt in the Secretary of State’s contest where everything I’d heard from my spies indicated that current Secretary of State Monae Johnson was not going to run, given the constant state of chaos and screwups that flow from her office, and the fact she’s the most embattled Secretary of State in State History.

Surprisingly, that talk is now being tamped down. In more recent weeks, apparently the Secretary of State has found the money to update her campaign website:

And now I’m hearing from several sources that Secretary of State Monae Johnson plans to launch her “re-election effort” at the upcoming South Dakota State Fair.  It might just be releasing updated materials along the looks of her campaign website, but she’s launching something in Huron in a few weeks, and I’m told it’s related to her run in 2026, under a theme of “experience.”

Why the proactive investment of effort into an election we all thought was being abandoned? Especially in the face of the fact that she has caused a lot of her support to evaporate?

I’m also hearing that Minnehaha County Auditor Leah Anderson of all people – despite her record of complete awfulness and attempts to deny people the right to vote – sees herself in the role of Secretary of State.

Yes. God help us all. I’m actually being told that she has her eye on the Secretary of State’s office.

It does make sense, considering that Monae Johnson is now utterly hated by the people who put her in office, that they might be looking for a new candidate to hoist their pitchforks behind. And considering that Leah does the bidding of the “election integrity” conspiracists, including putting them in charge of county elections, she might be what fills the bill for those who claim that elections are being controlled by outside forces.

While Monae Johnson distanced herself from the election conspiracy crackpots after being elected, Leah puts them in charge of elections, and serves as the figurehead of the office.  Of course, that’s going to be someone that the election deniers want in charge of elections on a statewide basis. And tossing out the person who wouldn’t play ball with them has to be at the top of their agenda for the 2026 Republican State Convention.

Because, despite several attempts, in this potential matchup, Republicans on a statewide basis don’t get to choose. It will be party insiders who attend the South Dakota Republican Party’s next convention who will select the horse the GOP is going to run behind.

And if these are our options, running behind may mean running far behind. Far, far behind.

Just heard about a push poll that’s being done on Referred Law 21 (The referral of SB201, the landowner bill of rights)

Apparently, they go through a fairly biased spiel, asking people if it would change their vote to know the pipeline is being funded by Chinese communists, etc.  That kind of false & biased silliness. But then they switch gears.

At the end, they ask people to rank their feelings (on a 1-5 ranking basis) about Governor Kristi Noem. They ask about Congressman Dusty Johnson. AND then they finish up by asking about none other than Toby Doeden!!

That one made me laugh out loud. But that tells you who is likely paying for it.

Because there isn’t anyone else asking that question.

(*Update*)

This is unfortunate news, as Brown County GOP Chair Katie Washnok, a generational carrier of water for the elephant, is stepping down from her position to let someone else take up the reins.

Attorney General Marty Jackley Announces Fort Pierre Man Convicted Of Felony Sex Crimes Against Children

PIERRE, S.D — South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that a Fort Pierre man has been convicted of nine felony counts of rape, sexual contact with a child, and Incest involving two different children.

Donnie Edwards, 46, was convicted Thursday by a Stanley County Circuit Court. He was found guilty of four counts of First Degree Rape, one count of Fourth Degree Rape, two counts of Aggravated Incest, one count of Incest, and one count of Sexual Contact with a Child Under the Age of Sixteen.

Edwards faces a maximum sentence of life in prison when he is sentenced. No sentencing date has yet been scheduled.

The charges occurred between 2007 and 2022.

South Dakota’s Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and the Stanley County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office and the Stanley County State’s Attorney’s Office prosecuted.

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From Keloland News, a decades old policy has now been reversed with the decision of the Supreme Court, and the permission of the SD Board of Regents:

On Thursday, the regents reversed their official policy that said their employees couldn’t serve as state lawmakers unless they resigned from their jobs before starting their terms.

and..

Peterson served on the Appropriations Committee and for several years was its chair. Frederick praised the change and said it would have been a loss to South Dakotans if Peterson had been banned because of his employment.

Read the entire story here.

Rounds Introduces Legislation to Offer Affordable Student Loan Option

The Affordable Future Loan Program Act would utilize private financial institutions to cover the cost of college

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced legislation to offer a new affordable student loan option that would leverage private financial institutions to cover the cost of college. By guaranteeing loans made through eligible lenders and making sure no interest accrues while students are in school, the Affordable Future Loan Program Act provides students a sustainable and affordable solution.

The Affordable Future Loan Program would exist alongside the current system and would provide another option for financing or for students who need to fill the gap between federal aid and the cost to attend most public institutions. The program is inspired by the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFEL) that was created by the Higher Education Act of 1965 but repealed in 2010. Since 2010, all federal loans have been issued by the Department of Education (ED).

“Students in South Dakota and across the nation need a more affordable way to take out loans and pay for higher education,” said Rounds. “The Affordable Future Loan Program would allow students to use private financial institutions to take out federal loans. By utilizing the efficiencies of the private sector and providing enough financing to cover the actual cost of going to school, this program will ultimately save money for hardworking students and their families. While it doesn’t change any existing programs, this bill would provide a low-interest choice for financing education and take Washington bureaucrats out of the process.”

“With guaranteed loans that do not accrue interest while students are in school, the act provides a lifeline to students who struggle to bridge the gap between federal aid and the rising costs of higher education. Senator Rounds’ innovative approach will make higher education attainable for all Americans, preserving the dream of college for future generations,” said Jeff Olson, President-CEO, Dakota Credit Union Association. “The Affordable Future Loan Program Act, championed by Senator Mike Rounds, offers a crucial solution to the pressing issue of college affordability. By leveraging the private sector to create a sustainable and affordable loan product, this legislation ensures that middle-class families across the country are no longer burdened with long-term debt.”

“Choosing a college or trade school is a decision most students look forward to making, but with rising costs and a decrease in available financing, these decisions have become an impossible burden for middle class families,” said Jim Nussle, President/CEO of America’s Credit Unions. “Senator Rounds’ Affordable Future Loan Program Act – legislation that America’s Credit Unions fully supports – brings new life to these important, life-altering decisions. Whether you are choosing to pursue an undergraduate degree or seeking a trade education, this bill helps close the gap in affordable loan options, sets students up for success, and better ensures their financial well-being.”

“I appreciate Senator Rounds trying to pull together local, state, and federal stakeholders in education,” said South Dakota Senator Steve Kolbeck. “It’s clear he wants to keep what is working, fix what is broken, and bring back what has worked in the past. I’m optimistic he can help us push local control and education financing to be more community focused while still maintaining accountability of tax dollars. Over regulation is as harmful to education as under regulation is and finding commonsense solutions should be achievable.”

“I commend Senator Rounds for addressing the issue of student loan reform and looking for ways to include the private sector in this solution,” said Dylan Clarkson, President & CEO of Pioneer Bank & Trust and Chairman of the South Dakota Bankers Association. “Offering a more affordable student loan option is not only good for students, but also good for local banks and the economy.”

The Affordable Future Loan Program Act would issue federal student loans through private financial institutions. Loans would be guaranteed 98% by the federal government when the student attends an accredited institution. Students are able to borrow equal to the average cost to attend a public university plus room and board. Students would not accrue interest while they are in school, and the interest rate would be set by the Treasury 10-year note instead of Congress as it is currently.

Under Rounds’ plan, the maximum interest rate that may apply is capped at 6.28%, while right now the interest rates for ED range from 6.53%-9.08%.

Click HERE for full bill text. Click HERE to read a one page summary of the bill.

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Just got this in for my collection, in what might be one of my earliest campaign pieces for South Dakota. Or as it was known then, Dakota Territory:

This is the election where we kicked those guys up North to the curb, as evidenced in this Republican Ticket.  Literally, this is a very early slate card with the Republican Candidates showing people how to vote, and noting the “question of division of the Territory of Dakota, upon an east and west line upon the 7th Standard Parallel.”   Or, what you know as the current border between North and South Dakota.

You can actually find a few references to this election on-line:

The Territorial Legislature of 1887 submitted the question of division to a popular vote at the general election of November 1887. When full returns of this election finally came in on January 10, 1888, Territorial Governor Louis K. Church announced the vote: 37,784 favored division and 32,913 were opposed.

(Via Wikipedia, which you can read here)

November 1887, finally counted in January 10 of 1888. Which tells you how long one one of the earliest hand counts took to finally figure out.

A great item chronicling South Dakota History! (I might have to have this one framed)

Just like they did in Legislative District 7, Democrats have completely cleared their legislative slate in District 20.  No indication whether there will be replacement candidates yet, but it’s unusual to clear out these races by the District.

According to the Secretary of State, August 6 is the last day for candidates to withdraw nominations from general election. Once a candidate withdraws, the last day for party central committees to fill vacancies created by candidates who withdrew their nominations is August 13.

Keep watching who is coming and going – only about 2 weeks until the slate is set.

Attorney General Jackley Announces Indictments Against State Prison Inmates, Former DOC Employees

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces that a Minnehaha County Grand Jury Monday indicted six people regarding five different cases involving South Dakota Prison inmates and two others who were Department of Corrections staff members at that time.

“Assaults on prison staff, possession of weapons and contraband, and destruction of property in our prison will not be tolerated,” said Attorney General Jackley. “This conduct endangered prison staff and inmates and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Those are charged are:

Case One

          *** Prison Inmate Tyler Dane Larvie, 28, nine felony counts of Possession of an Article Indulgence (synthetic cannabinoids). The charges occurred on or about Jan. 24, 2024.

Case Two

          *** Inmate Tyler Dane Larvie, 28, one felony count of Criminal Solicitation, one felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Second Degree Arson, and one felony count of Aiding and Abetting Second Degree Arson.

         *** Former DOC Medication Aide Madyson Alexis Bixby, 21, Sioux Falls, one felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Second Degree Arson and one felony count of Possession of an Unauthorized Article (a cellphone delivered to an inmate).

*** Merced Patlan, 30, Sioux Falls, (not a DOC staff member) one felony count of Second Degree Arson and one felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Second Degree Arson.

             Larvie and Bixby are charged with conspiring with Patlan to destroy another person’s vehicle. The crimes occurred between Dec. 1, 2023 and Jan. 4, 2024. The actual arson occurred on Jan. 4, 2024 in Sioux Falls.

Case Three

          *** Former DOC nurse Alexis Rose Hiller, 27, Sioux Falls, charged with one felony count of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Buprenorphine) with Intent to Distribute, one felony count of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Buprenorphine), and one felony count of Possession of Unauthorized Article (Buprenorphine) With Intent to Deliver to An Inmate. The charges occurred on or near Jan. 31, 2024.

Case Four

          *** Prison Inmate Seth Thomas Peplinski, 24, charged with one felony count of Aggravated Assault, and one felony count of Simple Assault. He is accused of assaulting another person in the prison on May 6, 2024.

Case Five

          *** Prison Inmate Kelly Michael Irby, 64, Possession of a Weapon by an Inmate (blade). The charges occurred on or about May 8, 2024.

Initial court appearances for those charged have not yet been scheduled. All of the defendants are presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.

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