Zach Mulder Announces Campaign for South Dakota House, District 9

SIOUX FALLS, SD — Zach Mulder today announced his candidacy for the South Dakota House of Representatives in District 9, launching a campaign centered on common sense leadership, fiscal responsibility, and practical solutions for South Dakota families.

Mulder, a Sioux Falls resident with more than a decade of experience in financial services and regulatory compliance, said his campaign is rooted in real-world experience working with individuals and families navigating complex financial decisions and systems.

“I’ve spent my career helping people make important financial decisions, solve problems, and navigate systems that don’t always work the way they should,” Mulder said. “That experience has shown me the value of clear thinking, accountability, and doing what’s right—not what’s political.”

District 9 includes portions of communities served by the Sioux Falls, Tea Area, Tri-Valley, West Central, and Parker school districts, representing a mix of growing neighborhoods and rural areas. Mulder said the district deserves representation that understands both opportunity and challenges across the region.

“District 9 reflects the best of South Dakota—hardworking people who expect their government to be responsible, transparent, and focused on results,” Mulder said. “We don’t need more noise—we need leadership that is grounded, practical, and willing to get things done.”

Mulder emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility and disciplined decision-making in state government.

“South Dakota families live within their means every day, and state government should do the same,” he said. “That means prioritizing what matters, eliminating inefficiencies, and making sure taxpayer dollars are used wisely.”

While his campaign will address a range of issues important to District 9 residents, Mulder said his approach will remain consistent.

“Common sense leadership means listening first, understanding the problem, and delivering solutions that actually work for our communities,” Mulder said. “It’s about representing people—not agendas.”

Mulder will begin meeting with voters, community leaders, and local stakeholders across District 9 in the coming weeks.

Find out more at www.zachmulder.com

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The goofballs at the Toby Doeden campaign must be diverting all their money to trying to fill their petition signature quota at the last minute.

Because there’s no one working policy, and Toby is still going on about his eyeroll-worthy claim that he’s going to create a Department of External Revenue to bring in Billions no one has happened to notice in the state’s 136 year history.

Even more, after months of claiming he can do this, it still has no specifics in all the time he’s been slinging that BS.

The Department of External Revenue? That dog just isn’t going to hunt.

It most likely apes a proposal that Trump had a year ago to “to collect tariffs, duties, and all revenue that come from foreign sources.” Which the President of the United States can conceivably do, since al of those things are in the federal purview.

But the Doeden dumpster-fire local version? Where would Toby be collecting the made-up billions of “external revenue” from as he describes in his vague, unexplained talking point?

The only place could be those businesses and people from other states doing business here. And taxing them any differently has long been deemed unconstitutional under federal law.  Going to Google AI for a quick summary, (since I don’t have a Constitutional Law attorney on speed-dial):

The Dormant Commerce Clause is a U.S. Supreme Court legal doctrine inferred from the Constitution’s Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8), which prohibits states from passing legislation that discriminates against or excessively burdens interstate commerce. It preserves a national market, preventing “economic Balkanization” or protectionist measures by individual states.

Key Principles and Purpose

• Prevent Protectionism: States cannot enact laws designed to benefit local businesses at the expense of out-of-state competitors, such as discriminatory taxes or bans.
• Prohibit Undue Burdens: Even nondiscriminatory regulations may be invalid if they burden interstate commerce excessively relative to the local benefit
• Implied Restriction: It acts even when Congress is “dormant,” meaning federal legislation has not been enacted.

Now, there is an exception noted:

Exceptions:

• Market Participant Exception: States may act as a buyer or seller—rather than a regulator—to favor their own citizens, such as in state-run businesses.

And except for the state deciding to compete with the private sector, there’s no way that Toby’s made-up plan can legally allow him to tax anyone in other states any differently than the way South Dakota already does it.

Fake plan. Fake talking point. No supporting plan, explanation or documentation.

I have no doubt that this isn’t the only made up hash Toby Doeden is going to be slinging on the campaign trail.

Just remember that early voting begins in about 3 weeks. And this guy should not be on your consideration list.

While attending a fundraising event put on by grocer RF Buche to go towards food security last night, Governor Larry Rhoden announced that he will be signing House Bill 1082, for the reimbursement of school districts that provide free or reduced-price meals to students:

Considering for those on a free or reduced lunch that the school might be providing the only meal, or the only hot meal that some kids may be receiving that day, it’s not a bad thing. And it helps schools.

Update – Oh! Shout out to Team Buche Cares for putting on the event it was announced at. Please support their mission to help reduce hunger & food insecurity in tribal and rural communities.

She’s baack…

Today, the former State Senator of so many negative stories, not the least of which is her censure over the borderline sexual harassment of a LRC employee which earned her a censure by the South Dakota State Legislature, has filed paperwork to run for the Senate again.

Which means only one thing – go to Senator Amber Hulse’s website and send her a donation. Right now.

I spoke with one Senator who served during the Frye-Mueller years, and within minutes of JFM filing, he fired off a donation of $1000 to Amber’s campaign. I’m guessing they won’t be the only one in that situation.

Is Amber perfect? No. No one is. She’s made votes I haven’t agreed with. I think there was one I yelled at the computer over. But, at the end of the day, I don’t fault her for that. She’s responsible to her constituents, and answers to them, not me. Amber provides representation that is an improvement by leaps and bounds beyond the embarrassing circus show that Julie Frye-Awful treated South Dakota to. And it’s actual representation. Not shoot-from-the-lip nuttery as we had before.

So get the checkbook out and fire up your venmo. Because South Dakota is calling you in our time of need.

Say yes to Amber. And just say no to one of the worst legislators to ever step foot in the State Capitol.

Nicole Mitzel Announces Campaign for South Dakota Senate, District 35

A record of service with at-risk youth, Capitol Hill experience, and a fight for school choice drives District 35 campaign

RAPID CITY, S.D. | Nicole Mitzel has officially announced her candidacy for South Dakota Senate, District 35, bringing a deeply personal commitment to children, families, and the kind of principled, hard-working leadership District 35 deserves.

Nicole Mitzel’s path to this race is rooted in a life of service. She began her career on Capitol Hill, spending nearly a decade in politics and public affairs with the Republican National Committee, where she gained firsthand knowledge of how federal policy decisions shape communities across the country. She later worked in television production before answering a deeper call closer to home. As a Juvenile Correctional Officer with the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Mitzel showed up every day for kids that others had written off, learning firsthand that structure, compassion, and accountability can change the direction of a young person’s life. That experience didn’t just shape her career. It shaped her convictions.

Today she serves as Business Development Manager at Quality Interiors, supporting local businesses across the Black Hills, and sits on the Board of Directors for the Black Hills Home Builders Association, focused on housing affordability and responsible growth.

Those who know Nicole describe her the same way: she outworks the room and never cuts corners. Whether she was navigating national politics in Washington, managing facility safety and security in the juvenile center, or building client relationships in the private sector, her standard has never changed. Former Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thom knows her as well as anyone. “I have had the privilege of knowing Nicole Mitzel both personally and professionally. What has always stood out to me is her integrity and her work ethic. She is the kind of person who does the right thing even when no one is watching, and she will outwork just about anyone in the room. Nicole has the character and the drive that we need. Please join me in supporting Nicole for Senate in District 35,” said Thom.

Nicole is married to Lieutenant Jason Mitzel of the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. She is proudly Christian, pro-life, and pro-Second Amendment.

“Every kid deserves a chance, and every family deserves the freedom to choose the education that’s right for their child,” said Mitzel. “That’s not a political position for me. It’s something I lived. I’m running because District 35 families deserve a voice that will fight for them without apology.”

Mitzel’s campaign is built around expanding school choice and protecting parental rights, cutting property taxes and pushing back against government overreach, and standing firmly behind law enforcement, the Second Amendment, and the military families who call Ellsworth home.

To learn more or get involved, visit nicolemitzel.com.

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Prepare to bump your IQ down a couple of points.

Because there’s a debate raging on former State Representative Fred Deutsch’s facebook page as two legislators who have done little more than embarass the Republican party try to justify why it’s ok for them to call people RINO’s. Despite the fact they represent a lot of people who probably don’t even understand the meaning of the term.

The set up is that Fred notes that he’s not into the name calling that one of his opponents is doing in referring to his opponents with a demeaning name…

And thus, we begin the trip down the rabbit hole..

.. what does “voting with the constitution” have to do with whether someone is considered a RINO, a.k.a, Republican In Name Only? Especially when whether someone is considered one or not is subjective based on the name-caller?  As for “voting with the constitution,” that’s pretty subjective as well. I suspect people on the other side of the aisle believe they’re doing so as well.

“There’s a difference between talking about being conservative and actually delivering results.”    Burn.

“This is how people like Shad Olson can get away with the disgusting and nasty things he says.”    And that’s just what “his hacker says” to Brandei!

Of course, the originator of the whole name calling affair had to chirp in himself.

Dylan Jordan: “If people had a good record to run on, it wouldn’t be able to be said.”

If people had a good record to run on, indeed.

Trump Administration Approves Gov. Rhoden’s Request for Year-Round E15

PIERRE, S.D. – The Trump administration announced they have approved a request made by Governor Rhoden and six other Governors for a nationwide waiver under the Clean Air Act to allow the year-round sale of E15.

“Allowing year-round E15 supports our farmers, boosts American energy independence, and keeps fuel affordable for our families,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “I appreciate President Trump and Administrator Zeldin’s quick action on our request so that E15 can be sold this summer, and I urge Congress to pass a permanent solution.”

On March 6th, 2026, Governor Rhoden and six other Governors sent a letter to EPA Administrator Zeldin, asking for a waiver so that E15 could be sold year-round. A copy of the letter can be found here.

This decision by the Trump administration to approve the Governor’s request will increase the sale of higher blends of ethanol, directly helping South Dakotan and American farmers.

The National Corn Growers Association praised the decision in a release, which can be found here.

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Gov. Rhoden Signs Election Integrity Bills into Law

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden signed six election integrity bills, including the South Dakota SAVE Act, Senate Bill 175, which requires that an individual provides proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

“In South Dakota, we do things right, especially when running our state elections,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “This bill ensures only citizens vote in state elections, keeping our elections safe and secure.”

Senate Bill 175 only applies to state elections and only impacts new registrants. If a South Dakota resident is already registered to vote, there is nothing for that individual to do to maintain their registration. If a South Dakota resident is already registered to vote and needs to change their name, address, or other information, no proof of citizenship is necessary.

Senate Bill 175 has an “emergency clause,” which means it took effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature. Since it passed both legislative chambers a few weeks ago, the Governor’s Office, the Secretary of State’s Office, and the five state agencies required to assist with voter registration have been working to implement these new legal requirements. In South Dakota, state agencies already verify citizenship for different programs, so implementation of this citizenship verification requirement was a smooth process.

To check your voter registration status, navigate to the “Voter Information Portal” on the Secretary of State’s website here.

Governor Rhoden also signed the following five bills:

• SB 142 amends the requirements for filing certain campaign finance disclosure statements;
• SB 151 requires the publication of the results of an election for precinct committeeman or committeewoman and declares an emergency;
• SB 171 amends provisions pertaining to the processing of absentee ballots and declares an emergency;
• SB 214 amends provisions pertaining to the publication of the statewide voter registration file; and
• HB 1095 modifies provisions pertaining to the submission of a nominating petition.

Governor Rhoden has signed 228 bills into law and vetoed two this legislative session.

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Whoops!

The Dakota Scout has a story this morning noting that free airplane flights that were provided to Governor Rhoden for purposes of traveling around the state at the time of a campaign tour in 2025 were not included in his campaign report filed earlier this year:

The Rhoden campaign characterized the omission as inadvertent and said it became aware of it only after The Scout’s inquiry.

“They have not sent us the invoice for the flight, though we requested it at the time. It will be reflected on our report when we receive it,” Rhoden for Governor Campaign Manager Ian Fury told The Scout.

And..

“We have campaign finance laws for a reason,” Johnson campaign spokeswoman Courtney Heitkamp told The Scout when informed of the omission. “It’s not appropriate for the governor to hide his use of a private plane, and he needs to amend his finance report.”

Read the entire story here.

The other campaigns also responded; the Hansen campaign can’t afford to send a parcel second day air, much less fly. And Toby Doeden filed with the FAA to block any mention of his name and airplanes in the same sentence. (Those were jokes, btw)

The whole airplane thing just seems to be a hot topic for all governors. Which is why it is always surprising when they don’t remember it – because it continues to come up

California Carley took some more roasting today for skipping out of session, and generally not having a clue about South Dakota. Today, South Dakota Democrats pointed out how he doesn’t show up for work in the legislature, doesn’t have a clue about South Dakota, and is generally the utterly worst State Senator since Julie Frye Mueller: