Three years out from his successful 2020 election, US Senator Mike Rounds is raising sufficient money to give him a healthy head start in the next contest three years from now.

Mike Rounds Oct 2023 FEC by Pat Powers on Scribd

Rounds for Senate is reporting $74,180.48 raised against $56,949.69 spent.  A natural slower time of the election cycle for Rounds, who has to stand for election every six years.

But with $1,459,590.63 in the bank, he has a healthy start to fend off any challengers. (Not that there’s any challengers.)

Look like there’s no fooling around for fundraising in Team Dusty’s camp.

Compared to where he was at this time in the last election cycle, Dusty is posting numbers that are fully double compared to what he reported having raised in October 2021 ($219k raised, $43.5k Spent, and $1.7 Million Cash on Hand), which underline that Congressman Johnson is one of the hardest working candidates in South Dakota politics.

Looking at the numbers:

Dusty Johnson October 2024 FEC by Pat Powers on Scribd

Mic drop by Dusty here – Congressman Johnson reported a very healthy $445,237.67 fundraising haul, against $108,970.41 in expenses.  Those are pretty decent numbers.

But the eye-popping number is the $3,276,062.18 cash on hand at the Congressman’s disposal to fend off any challengers (such as Zach Kovach).

One thing I keep in mind is that two years ago in the prior election, Taffy (“can’t-find-the-vote-button“) Howard had been ‘exploring a race’ for two months at this time.  Congressman Johnson has managed to put this kind of fundraising total up with no real opponent even considering a race for the 2024.  At this point, it’s questionable whether he’ll have an opponent.

Although, the hard-right has managed to dig someone up for the last couple of elections, with an over-inflated ego each time.  But this kind of fundraising total may give even them pause at what they’d be taking on.

If you recall, I noted several months ago, back in June, that someone had popped up saying they were going to run for Congress as a Democrat, despite they haven’t lived here for several years.

According to the most recent voter database records I have available, I don’t see where he has voted in South Dakota since the 2018 general election. It may be interesting to check where he falls on voter rolls in Maryland and Iowa where he has been living, but I’m not seeing anything in South Dakota to give even a hint of connection to the state.

So, let’s summarize. Mr. Kovach has no current residency here. He hasn’t voted here since 2018. He may (emphasis on may) be registered to vote in another state, and as he’s been working for “Progressive Maryland,” and a candidate in Iowa, his C.V. doesn’t appear to indicate that he’s worked in South Dakota for the last several years.

Read that here.

Well, it looks like Zach is still in the running, as they’ve filed an FEC report, and have gotten a couple of Democrats to send him a check:

Zach Kovach FEC by Pat Powers on Scribd

Kovach’s FEC Report notes that he reports $1380 raised (With $1000 coming from South Dakota Democrat John Cunningham and another $250 from Nick Nemec).

Kovach spent $2948 in pursuit of his race against Johnson, giving him $1380 cash on hand, and $3142.92 in debts and obligations.. which are basically expenses he wants the campaign to reimburse himself for.

With a year to go in his race, he probably should step it up a bit.

10 Years Since Winter Storm Atlas
By Sen. John Thune

Ten years ago, Winter Storm Atlas swept through western South Dakota. When it started, no one had any idea that it would be one of the most devastating snowstorms in the area’s history. Atlas dropped as much as 5 feet of snow in some areas. Wind gusts reached 71 miles per hour, and the storm devastated West River ranches.

Growing up in Murdo, we saw a lot of nasty weather, but Winter Storm Atlas was a storm unlike any other. Shortly after the storm cleared, I toured the area with then-Gov. Dennis Daugaard. It was heart-wrenching to see the impact on our state’s livestock industry. Tens of thousands of cattle, sheep, horses, and bison were killed. Much of the livestock that survived the storm were scattered miles from their pasture.

The Atlas storm brought the ferocity of Mother Nature to bear, but it also revealed the resilience and kindness of South Dakotans. Farmers and ranchers are independent, hard-working people. They are the best friends and neighbors you could ask for – the first to lend a helping hand and the last to ask for help. In the days and weeks after the blizzard, support came in from across the country. South Dakotans donated to the Rancher Relief Fund that provided millions of dollars in assistance to livestock producers, and producers from around the country donated their own livestock to help South Dakota ranchers rebuild their way of life.

When the storm hit, Congress was working on finalizing a farm bill, and I got right to work to make sure the bill would be done quickly and that the programs producers needed would be there for them. Winter Storm Atlas was a reminder that disaster can strike when you least expect it. In the 2008 farm bill, I coauthored the first standing livestock disaster programs of their kind. I worked to ensure these programs – the Livestock Forage, Livestock Indemnity, and Emergency Livestock Assistance programs – were continued and strengthened in the 2014 and 2018 farm bills.

Thankfully a storm as devastating as Atlas hasn’t struck again, but South Dakota’s farmers and ranchers have certainly seen their fair share of extreme weather in the last decade. Weather is just one aspect of the uncertainty and challenges that farmers and ranchers face. The livestock programs I helped design are an integral part of the farm safety net that farmers and ranchers depend on when challenges arise. As Congress considers another farm bill this year, I’m working to strengthen these programs to ensure farmers and ranchers can weather any storm that comes their way.

Agriculture is South Dakota’s number-one industry. South Dakota farmers and ranchers work hard every day, and they face uncertainty and a myriad of challenges to deliver a reliable and affordable food supply to the nation and the world. South Dakota’s producers are on my mind every day in the U.S. Senate, and I’ll continue working to ensure farm policy supports them and the important work they do.

###

The Big Three – Groundhog Day
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
October 13, 2023

BIG Update

It seems like we’ve been here before. The House Republican Conference is at a stalemate trying to elect the next Speaker of the House. We voted in a closed-door meeting on Wednesday and current Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) won. However, the Republican candidate for Speaker must get 217 votes from the full House of Representatives to become Speaker. Scalise couldn’t secure the votes, so he stepped down and we are back to the drawing board.

We’re one month away from a government shutdown, and without a Speaker of the House, no bills can be considered, which means we can’t vote on any funding bills. We also can’t vote to authorize assistance for situations like the attacks on Israel. The House is paralyzed.

What we need is for House Republicans to come together to support a candidate for Speaker so we can accomplish the necessary tasks for the American people. A shutdown is costly to our country. And a House without a Speaker is costly to the rest of the world.

BIG Idea

South Dakota FCCLA students from Brookings, Burke, Wessington Springs, and Harrisburg came to visit Washington, D.C. to meet with legislators. We discussed our state’s educational needs, specifically the teacher shortage, and how to address issues at the state and federal level.

BIG News

The Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel are unconscionable and must be condemned. The horror of these actions has echoed throughout the world. Thousands of people have died, including innocent civilians, babies, and American citizens. America must stand by our ally Israel. I cosponsored a resolution condemning Hamas in the strongest terms and expressing unconditional and unwavering support for Israel and its right to defend itself. More than 400 members of Congress cosponsored and agreed, too. The U.S. House stands nearly united in our support.

###

 

Protecting the Promised Land
By: Governor Kristi Noem
October 13, 2023

When I was in the U.S. House of Representatives, I traveled with other U.S. government officials to strengthen relationships with America’s allies around the world. In all of my travels as a member of the committee and following the end of my time in Congress, no foreign leader impressed me more than Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He’s decisive and tough as nails. He leads a nation that is equally passionate and strong.

Israel embraces democracy; their military strength is a shield for us in a dangerous land; and they are our friends. These facts, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s leadership, as well as my multiple visits to Israel helped me realize just how crucial America’s partnership with Israel is to our national security.

In recent days, we have seen the devastating invasion of the State of Israel by Hamas terrorists. This is an act of war and invasion of the Promised Land that was given to the people of Israel by God. These barbaric actions have shocked the conscience of the world.

It is time for all Americans to stand firm in our resolve to support the Israeli people. In the wake of these attacks, we have seen an outpouring of support for the State of Israel. But we have also seen a surge of antisemitism and hatred for Israel.

It is more critical now than ever that we teach our kids and grandkids the importance of our alliance with the State of Israel. They are our most important strategic ally – and they are a dear friend to the United States of America.

If we fail to educate our children of Israel’s importance, we risk raising a generation that sees no need to protect our most important strategic ally. Americans must always understand the significance of this land that God has promised to the Israelites; they must respect the Jewish people and the State of Israel; and they must always be on the side of Freedom and good, never on the side of terrorism and evil.

All of the national security-focused trips I made were incredibly impactful. One that stands out as a teaching moment was my visit to the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. It is the most heavily fortified border in the world. I was shocked at how close the troops were positioned to one another. South Korean troops stood facing north. North Korean soldiers lined up directly across from them in their territory. However, right in the middle, between these two armies, stood our American forces. They were there to keep the peace. Never before have I seen such a physical reminder of America’s role in the world. Because we are the greatest democracy in the world that stands for Freedom, we often stand in the gap to perpetuate peace. We are strong, and we believe in Freedom. Therefore, the mantle we bear is to continue to project peace through strength. That is exactly what we must do for Israel today.

We must also take action to secure our own nation following these terrorist attacks. If we look at our own Southern border, we see that hundreds of individuals on the terrorist watch list have been captured attempting to enter the United States. If that many known terrorists have been caught, it’s gravely concerning to consider how many could have been “gotaways” who are within our borders right now. The Biden Administration must step up to secure the Southern border or risk devastation here in our homeland.

Israel is in my prayers. Bryon and I pray for safety for the hostages taken by the Hamas terrorists. And we also ask God to have Israeli forces find the strength to swiftly deliver justice to these evil terrorists. To Prime Minister Netanyahu and the beloved people of Israel, I am confident that you will win this war.  You have our support every step of the way.

###

Van Diepen Announces Run for State House

Kevin Van Diepen announces today that he will be run for the open South Dakota House of Representatives seat for District 22.  Kevin is a lifelong South Dakota resident and a resident of District 22 since 1985.  He is married to his wife of 35 years, Amy, and has one adult child.

Kevin has served the Huron Police Department for the past 35 years and has been the Chief of Police of the past six years.  He will retire in April.  He has served as a patrol officer, drug task for officer, patrol sergeant, and patrol captain.  He is active in the Chief of Police Association and served the past two years on their legislative committee.

“Public safety is a big part of my life. I also believe in the freedoms that we can afford our citizens as a result of the professionalism and dedication of our public safety officers,” Kevin stated in making the announcement. “I truly believe that South Dakota is a great place to live and raise a family, and if given the opportunity to be elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives, I will work hard to make sure that our citizens can continue to enjoy our way of life.”

District 22 consists of Beadle, Spink and western Clark County.  The primary election is June, 2024.

###

After the attack on Israel citizens by the terrorist group Hamas, including what one source calls ‘unspeakable acts of sexual violence and infanticide,’ State Representative Fred Deutch has filed a draft resolution supporting Israel which is currently under review at the Legislative Research Council for introduction this next legislative session, which he has shared for our readers:

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Hamas was founded with the stated goal of destroying the State of Israel and has been designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization; and

WHEREAS, The Hamas terrorist organization launched a brutal, highly organized, and unprecedented attack upon Israel and its citizens in the early morning hours of October 7, 2023; and WHEREAS, In its attack, Hamas has killed hundreds of innocent civilians and taken hundreds of Israeli children, women, elderly, and infirm civilians hostage; and

WHEREAS, In its attack, Hamas has fired thousands of rockets against Israeli population centers in an attempt to kill untold numbers of innocent civilians; and

WHEREAS, The timing of this Hamas terrorism operation to coincide with the observance of the Jewish Sabbath and celebration of the Sukkoth holiday demonstrates the intent to maximize civilian casualties; and

WHEREAS, Hamas continues to brazenly locate elements of its terrorist infrastructure in civilian population centers using civilians as human shields;

Now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House and Senate of the 99th South Dakota Legislature hereby:

1.Reaffirm its support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel;

2.Recognize Israel ’s right to act decisively and unilaterally in self-defense to protect its citizens;

3.Express its support for Israel ’s right to pursue without interference or condemnation the elimination of Hamas until Hamas is permanently neutralized and public safety is assured;

4.Convey its most heartfelt condolences to all Israeli victims as well as their families and communities;

5.Call upon South Dakota law enforcement to remain vigilant in protecting Jewish South Dakotans and all supporters of Israel from acts of crime and unlawful discrimination that tend to manifest at such times; and

6.Encourage all other American states to likewise condemn Hamas as well as any official body that refuses to recognize Israel ’s right to act decisively in self-defense to protect its citizens.

Thoughts?

Attorney General Jackley Joins AG Statement Supporting Israel 

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has joined Attorneys General from 26 other states in issuing a statement supporting Israel against the terrorist attacks by Hamas.

The statement reads:

“We are outraged by the terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas against Israel. Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization, decided to violate every law of nations and nature in its bloody, pre-planned massacre of civilians. Hamas murderers slaughtered hundreds of innocents — homebodies and concertgoers, Holocaust survivors and newborns. The dead are not just Israelis, but Americans and citizens of countries around the world. 

The images, videos, and stories still coming out since that night are heartbreaking. Many of those videos and images were released by the perpetrators themselves. Kidnapping, torture, and rape violate the laws of all societies, of civilized states, and of war. Innocents both in Israel and in territory occupied by Hamas continue to pay the price for Hamas’s terrorist operations in Gaza and invaded Israeli territory. No sovereign nation can tolerate such terrorist operations within its borders.

We stand with Israel as it defends itself from this inexplicable and obscene violence. Israel’s remarkable resilience and restraint are exemplified by its longstanding commitment to minimizing civilian casualties while defending its people. We regret that Israel’s pursuit of justice and self-defense will cost lives. But responsibility for every life lost in this conflict can be laid at the feet of the cowardly Hamas leadership, residing in comfort in Doha, and their murderous servants. We pray for peace and safety for Israel and the rest of the Middle East.”

Other Attorneys General signing onto to the statement are from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

-30-

Johnson Condemns Hamas Terror Attacks on Israel

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) cosponsored legislation to condemn Hamas in the strongest terms and express unconditional and unwavering support for Israel and its right to defend itself. In the wake of the Hamas acts of terror on Israel, Johnson expressed his support for America’s ally Israel.

“As Hamas continues to commit barbaric violence against innocent Israeli elderly, women, and children, the U.S. House stands nearly united in its support for Israel,” said Johnson. “Americans remain among the missing; the U.S. should remain steadfast in its mission to bring these people home.”

The House Resolution is cosponsored by 414 members of Congress.

Click here for bill text.