Lots of chatter from up at the State Senate today after the events of yesterday.

The talk around the westernmost chamber of the legislature – the Senate – is that the coward of Meade County, Senator Carley, who decided to cut and run from doing his job in Pierre might be subjected to caucus banishment after he delayed the process while people searched for him, as related in many media outlets yesterday, (today claiming an eye doctor visit).

On crossover day? I’m not buying it either.

To any observer of the legislative process, and after other colleagues had unsuccessfully hidden in offices and bathroom to attempt to avoid a vote, no one is buying it, and it places the legislature, and particularly Senator Carley under a harsh spotlight.

But it appears that there are attempts to scapegoat others in the chaos of yesterday’s Senate session.

The other person being villainized by some in our legislative morality play and in risk of caucus banishment? Senator Michael Rohl. Because he has a little red book, and he’s not afraid to read it.

If you’re not familiar with the archaic volume, the “red book” is slang for the much more stuffy name, OFFICIAL DIRECTORY and RULES of the SOUTH DAKOTA LEGISLATURE.  You can read and download a copy of the scandalous red sheet right here for yourself.

But why is Senator Rohl being threatened with banishment from the Senate Republican Caucus? What was the unforgivable sin? He did a bad, bad thing in the eyes of some. He read the rules and used them.

People trying to skip off the floor in a show of gamesmanship on votes? “Sen. Rohl moved to invoke JR 2-2 and call all members to the floor.”  Senator Rohl also made motions to shift things on the calendar.

Senator Rohl moved moved that all bills on the consent calendar be moved to Second Readings of Senate Bills and Joint Resolutions and Second Readings of House Bills and Joint Resloutions… Which motion prevailed.  He requested roll call votes, which were honored.

OH – this might be one of his greater sins. “Sen. Rohl requested that SB 221 be read in full pursuant to Art. III, Sec. 17 of the South Dakota State Constitution.”

Follow the constitution? How dare he?

California Carley is said to be under threat of caucus banishment after running and hiding from the responsibilities of his job.  But the other word I’m hearing is that Rohl is being threatened with the same penalty.. for using the rule book, and following the State Constitution.

If reading the rule book and the state constitution and following those rules earns you threats of being red-carded the same as someone who left the state capitol when faced with doing their job.. well, that’s not much of an example of leadership, is it?

We’ll see what the report is after session today.

You’ve got to hope that following their own rules and the state constitution is held in higher regard than someone abandoning ship.

—————

Update: 

I’m informed that no one got kicked out of caucus, and no one is in trouble.  all is good… nothing to see here….

So, running away from the Capitol and hiding is the same as reading from the rule book, according to Senate Leadership.

Get ready for the election season. I have the feeling it’s going to be quite the thing.

In the midst of all the Pischke hiding in the john and Carley abandoning the Capitol business, there was another moment of unintentional humor in the Senate chambers, and a lesson.

If you’re given lunch instructions on a post-it for the Senate President Pro Tempore Chris Karr, don’t drop it in the Senate Lobby. Because it will find it’s way to me:

It’s not so much the first two instructions. Even though the thought of adding Mayo to a BBQ Rib Quesadilla already laden with sauce sounds a bit heavy.  It’s the third instruction.

“- Cut line and put on Karr’s tab tell TKO lady it’s for Karr.”

Is there somewhere in the red book that says the Senate President Pro Tempore is allowed to send a minion to cut the lunch line in the basement because “it’s for Karr?”  I must have missed that rule.

Rank has it’s privileges in the State Capitol. Chris Karr might not be able to get everyone to show up and vote. But he still has the ability to send a minion to cut in line for him to get his lunchbox. And extra mayo.

—-

UPDATE: 

One senior member of the lobbying corps tells me “Several of the days his page/intern has cut the line, there were at least three dozen people patiently waiting, including other legislators (and legislative leadership).”

And interestingly, a former President Pro Tempore of the Senate mentioned to me this AM that he was happy to run down and get a sandwich from the grab & go cooler, on those days he had a moment.

These are most certainly different days in the upper chamber.

Was I the only one disgusted with the “Coward of Meade County” California Carley abandoning the state capitol and the job he was elected to do to instead run and hide?  No. In fact, a former Governor was there to witness it, and was not impressed:

“It’s not a good look for the Senate,” said Sen. Tim Reed, R-Brookings. 

and..

The chaotic scene Tuesday played out in front of Republican former Gov. Dennis Daugaard, who is also a former lieutenant governor and former state senator. Daugaared, the father-in-law of Lt. Gov. Venhuizen, was visiting and watched the Senate from the gallery.

Daugaard disapproved of the actions of Pischke and Carley.

“Both were, I believe, intentionally absent from their seats to avoid voting,” Daugaard said in response to Searchlight questions. “This was a parliamentary maneuver on their part, so that they could avoid voting. And I really think that’s a discredit to the citizens of their districts, who elected them.”

Read the whole sordid tale here.

What does a not-crazy Republican do about it? It may be time to start PAC n’ Heat. Or at least donating to the political action committee by that name.  The PAC n’ Heat (2.0) political action committee is beginning a campaign to hold bad politicians’ feet to the fire, as they begin their research and accountability efforts for 2026.

As noted on their website:

We are dedicated to building a better future for our country through solid and sensible policies that reflect the best of conservative values. We believe in engaging in constructive dialogue, rejecting the politics of fear, and working to unite Americans around shared goals—strong families, safe communities, and a prosperous nation.

Together, we can reject the noise of division and focus on building a future where personal responsibility, freedom, and common-sense solutions lead the way.

As we move forward in the race, you can bet that politicians just like John Carley will feel that heat as groups such as PAC n’ Heat raise the temperature in races, and weak politicians like John Carley are held accountable for their actions.

You can find out more and donate to Pac n’ Heat here.

In case you haven’t seen the dozens of memes running around, State Senator John “California” Carley went AWOL from the State Capitol today. As related by KELOland:

Carley was last seen in the Capitol around 11:30 a.m. on the Senate floor. 

“They’ve searched all the offices in the building and have not found him,” a report from the Senate sergeant at arms said. 

A call of the house was ordered during Tuesday’s Senate floor hearing because of Carley’s unexplained and unexcused absence. 

and..

Republican Sen. Tom Pischke had disappeared for a while on Monday. After a call of the house, he returned. In a comment to KELOLAND News, made prior to the Senate convening on Tuesday Pischke indicated that something unusual might happen later on Tuesday afternoon.

Read the entire story here.

I’ve heard different stories about Pischke’s absence; one that he was hiding in Carr’s office, and another that he was hiding in the john.  But Carley is a different story entirely. He just vamoosed.

And a flurry of memes ensued from the ranks of the lobbyists and others.

Just remember: If you see a Senator, remind him that he’s being paid to show up and vote. Not to avoid them.

From Facebook:

Tyler Tordsen is inviting those in Pierre to an informal fundraising gathering tonight in support of his campaign for the South Dakota legislature.  Stop on by! (I’m sure it will be cheaper than last night’s lobbyist event with the Gov!)

Dr. Dawn Hill Announces Campaign for District 2 House

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Today, Dr. Dawn Hill, a physician, mother, and community leader, announced her campaign for District 2 House, bringing a healer’s heart and a leader’s voice to the race.

A clinician dedicated to improving lives and strengthening families, Dr. Hill has built her career around service both in medicine and in her community. Raised in a military family, she learned early the values of hard work, responsibility, and public service that continue to guide her today.

“District 2 is a place where families can thrive, communities look out for one another, and common sense leadership matters,” said Hill. “My experience as a mother, clinician, and leader gives me the practical perspective needed to address the challenges facing the communities we serve. I’m running to help build a safer, stronger future for every South Dakota family.”

Dr. Hill served as a Registered Nurse for more than a decade before earning her medical degree from Ross University. She chose to build her life in South Dakota alongside her husband, Miguel, and their son, Stetson, committing both her professional and personal future to the state she calls home. Today, she serves as an Internal Medicine Hospitalist at a major teaching hospital and regularly volunteers as “Doctor of the Day” at the State Capitol.

Her campaign will focus on priorities grounded in conservative values, including strengthening access to quality healthcare, supporting strong families, promoting safe communities, expanding economic opportunity, empowering parents in education, and investing responsibly in infrastructure.

District 2 consists of the northeast part of Sioux Falls within Minnehaha County.

Absentee voting begins April 17, 2026, and the Republican Primary Election will be held June 2, 2026.

For more information about Dr. Dawn Hill’s campaign, please visit DrDawnHill.com or follow her campaign on Facebook.

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Something I used to more of at Dakotawarcollege was to talk about the mechanics of campaigning, and given that we’re already having one of the busiest seasons in a generation, I thought it would be valuable to do a spot on that every once in a while.

One of the things I’m getting the most questions on through my work doing campaign materials via Dakota Campaign Store right now are campaign signs. I thought it would be valuable to give a few notes and inside information about signs – such as the amount of time it physically takes to print a sign.

Because when you’re having 20 highway signs printed – time is the biggest bottleneck.  It takes around 20 minutes time to print each side, more to let them de-gas a bit, etc. But take that time 2, for each side of the sign. Then take that times 20 signs…

So, here’s the first video in the series of campaign information, covering information on campaign signs and costs, from Dakota Campaign Store:

 

 

From Facebook:

Just listened to the testimony today where the last piece of State Representative Brandei Schaefbauer’s legislative package, HB 1305, was defeated, leaving her with a 0-3 record this legislative session.  Boy, a legislative seat is a terrible thing to waste.

From listening to the testimony, I got the impression she does not like reading about South Dakota politics.

However, in rebuttal to her legislation being picked apart by critics who noted that her silly legislation would make a felony out of publishing a legally required delinquent tax notice, Brandei tossed out the quote of the day, on how a legislator would never be in a certain position:

…I do understand. Yah. If you are delinquent on your, um, your taxes, then you probably aren’t going to be here, are you?  You know. There is a bar that is set for us as public officials. 

– Rep. Schaefbauer, HB 1305 rebuttal testimony, 2/23/26.

 

Why is this jogging my memory?

Whoops!

Fom KELOland over the noon hour – Marshall Selberg is out of the race for Mayor in Sioux Falls. And he’s given his endorsement to former Councilwoman Christine Erickson. From the story:

“As I’ve reflected in recent days, it’s become clear that when people who care deeply about the same future for our city compete in ways that divide, no one truly wins. I love this city and want what is best for Sioux Falls and for all of us who call it home. That conviction ultimately led me to this decision.”

In his statement, Selberg endorses Christine Erickson’s mayoral candidacy, saying “nobody works harder.”

Read the entire story here.

I think there are plenty of people who would agree!