If you hadn’t heard, a familiar face is back behind the scenes at the office of School and Public Lands. Jarrod Johnson, the former Commissioner of School and Lands is back haunting the halls of the State Capitol, having stepped in to assume the role Deputy Commissioner Mike Lauritsen left when he moved to Chamberlain to become the City Administrator of that community.

With Lauritsen’s departure a few months back, I’d been told current Commissioner Ryan Brunner had an eye on bringing on an experienced hand, as a wave of retirements may be hitting that office and Johnson certainly has some tenure there.

Not that you can tell by the S&L website (ahem), but Jarrod is already on the job, as you can see by the lobbyist list filed with the Secretary of State:

This is an especially interesting development, as the Office of School and Lands is very much in play politically, with incumbent Ryan Brunner termed out.

Former State Senator Jordan Youngberg had started out campaigning for the office fiercely last summer, and reined things back in later 2021.  Current State Senator Brock Greenfield got going a little later and has been hitting the ‘rubber chicken circuit’ of GOP Dinners and events, several which Youngberg didn’t attend.

With GOP convention delegate selection just starting, it’s hard to throw a dart and say which, if anyone, would be the favorite at the moment. It’s not outside of the realm of possibility that a third or fourth person could get into the race. And if Jarrod’s interest is piqued, that could change the dynamics of the race entirely.

But, there’s a lot of air between now and the June convention. We’ll just have to keep our eyes on the tea leaves.

Stay tuned.

Well this was an interesting video that I came across today.

Mya Olson, who has a group now calling itself Health Freedom South Dakota, who has testified at the legislature against requirements for childhood vaccinations, has a video out there with State Representative Tom Pischke (who has allied with her cause in the past), on how the anti-vax group can take over the agenda of the Republican Party, push their issues into the platform of the GOP, and choose the party’s candidates at the convention next June by becoming precinct committeemen and women.

It’s even more interesting as you watch Rep. Pischke tell the group that they should first change their party registration over to Republican specifically for that purpose, as he explains at about 2:30 in the video.

Wait a minute? If memory serves, wasn’t Tom lamenting who was and was not a “True Republican” last election?

That’s a direct reference from Tom snidely alleging there are those who run claiming they are Republican to get elected. So, how does that jibe with him telling a group that they can push their agenda by actually switching parties for the purpose to throw delegates at the GOP?

Interesting.  A good reminder that those who actually are Republican in the first place should get their precinct committee forms in.

Because Tom and his party switchers might be gunning for your spot.

In an interesting development today, District 3 State Representative Drew Dennert is switching gears and abandoning the state legislature in the face of what was shaping up be a challenging House primary for him, and instead has filed paperwork to run for the Brown County Commission.

This comes only a few short months after Dennert served as the chief architect of the State House’s plan for Legislative Redistricting, a version of the plan which was almost completely steamrolled over by the State Senate’s plan which was better organized and publicized by its members.

It’s worth mentioning, as Dennert was rumored to be attempting to place his Brown County farm property in his District 3 to no avail, which may have driven the decision to bail out of the legislature.

Rounds Responds to the Former President

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) issued the following statement today:

“I’m disappointed but not surprised by the former president’s reaction. However, the facts remain the same. I stand by my statement. The former president lost the 2020 election.

“This isn’t new information. If we’re being honest, there was no evidence of widespread fraud that would have altered the results of the election. To that point, nearly all of my Senate Republican colleagues acknowledged this last January. During the electoral certification process, we did our due diligence and looked at the challenges made by the former president’s lawyers. Over 90 senators agreed that there was not enough evidence to overturn the results and, therefore, certified the election as our Constitution calls for.

“Additionally, Vice President Mike Pence stood his ground, acknowledged President Biden’s victory and acted with integrity. It’s time the rest of us do the same.

“If you look at the challenges our nation faces today – whether it be inflation, the border crisis or Afghanistan – it’s clear that we are in desperate need of responsible, conservative, disciplined leadership in the White House.

“As a Republican Party, our focus should be on what lies ahead, not what’s in the past. Elections are about growing support for your party, not further dividing it. Attacking Republicans certainly isn’t going to result in a winning formula. Neither is telling citizens not to vote. If we are going to win in 2022 and 2024, we have to move forward together.”

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In Matt Paulson’s text message update this afternoon, he breaks the news that the former Executive Director of the South Dakota Democrat Party is going to try to work her electoral magic on the Sioux Falls City Council.

Pamela Cole has filed paperwork to run for the City Council “At Large B” seat, currently held by Christine Erickson, who is termed out. Cole is the former director of the South Dakota Democratic Party.

Rich Merkouris is also running for this seat, who has already raised $21,000, for his campaign, according to a recent filing.

(You can subscribe at (605) 636-8097)

If you recall, during her tenure with the Democratic party, she explained the Democrat Party’ electoral efforts in 2020 as..

“We’re pacing ourselves with our party and building a bench over time. It’s going to take time and one step at a time, too.”

Read that here.

I think they still have many “one steps” to go.

But, good news for Rich Merkouris, with such an ideologically polarizing opponent. He’s that much farther down the road, and her entrance into the race should help him with fundraising.

Gov. Noem Announces Legislation Blocking Action Civics

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem released the text of draft legislation to block Action Civics as the basis of education for South Dakota students.

“Our Founding Fathers wanted the American people to be well-educated in our system of government, so our students should learn how to participate in it,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “As John Adams said, ‘Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.’ They should not, however, be forced to choose one political ideology over another or be forced to protest or lobby as part of their education. In South Dakota, we will focus on education, not indoctrination.”

Governor Noem previously addressed Action Civics with her signing of Executive Order 2021-11. She also introduced legislation to block Critical Race Theory as a basis of education for South Dakota students.

Governor Noem was also the first candidate for public office in the country to sign the 1776 Pledge to Save Our Schools, and she published an op-ed with Dr. Ben Carson outlining that decision.

You can read the draft legislation here.

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Senator Mike Rounds is apparently drawing fire from former President Trump after his statement to ABC News on Sunday.  As Rounds noted on ABC’s “This Week,” as reported by Politico:

“As a part of our due diligence, we looked at over 60 different accusations made in multiple states,” the South Dakota Republican said on ABC’s “This Week.“ “While there were some irregularities, there were none of the irregularities which would have risen to the point where they would have changed the vote outcome in a single state.“

He added: “The election was fair, as fair as we have seen.“

Looking toward the 2022 midterms, which could break the deadlock in what is now a 50-50 Senate, Rounds said Republicans must move past unfounded allegations that Trump was cheated out of a victory if they wish to prevail.

Read the entire story here.

This earned the ire of the former President who blasted Senator Rounds today, noting:

“Senator” Mike Rounds of the Great State of South Dakota just went woke on the Fraudulent Presidential Election of 2020. He made a statement this weekend on ABC Fake News, that despite massive evidence to the contrary, including much of it pouring in from Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and other states, he found the election to be ok—just fine. Is he crazy or just stupid? The numbers are conclusive, and the fraudulent and irregular votes are massive. The only reason he did this is because he got my endorsement and easily won his state in 2020, so now he thinks he has time, and those are the only ones, the weak, who will break away. Even though his election will not be coming up for 5 years, I will never endorse this jerk again.

and..

The Radical Left Democrats and RINOS, like “Senator” Mike Rounds, do not make it easy for our Country to succeed. He is a weak and ineffective leader, and I hereby firmly pledge that he will never receive my Endorsement again!

Read the entire statement here.

Somehow, I don’t think President Trump’s endorsement had anything to do with Senator Rounds winning election here.  And let’s face it. The statement from former President Trump is more than a bit silly.

Republican Dennis Krull Announces for District 30 House of Representatives

After deliberate consideration I, Dennis Krull, Republican from Hill City, SD would like to announce my intention to run for the District 30 House of Representatives.

My wife Kim and I have owned and operated Krull’s market in Hill City since 1992, retiring from that business in 2012.  We also had stores for a time in Armour and Wall SD.   I believe in supporting and giving back to the community in which I reside.    Accordingly, I have been on the Hill City VFD for 25 plus years. Prior to that I was with the Armour VFD for 12 years.   I also served on the HC Fire District Board, have served as President and member with the Hill City Economic Development Board as well as the Business Improvement District Board.   My college degrees are in Business and Education, and I have spent my career involved in these areas.

I was elected to the Hill City School board in 2015 and after two re-elections am currently serving as President of that board.

My wife Kim and I have been married for 44 years and have raised a beautiful family that we are very proud of.  We are enjoying watching our grandchildren grow up in the very community we call home.

I believe that our government is in place to exercise the stated will of the people they serve.  “The government should do for people only what they cannot do better by themselves and no more.”  Abraham Lincoln     I will be a voice for responsible spending and moral/Christian values.  I will strive to do what is fair and right for all the people of SD, not just those supporting special interests.   I firmly believe in accountable, transparent, and approachable leadership.

I would be pleased to answer any questions or concerns you may have.  Please feel free to contact me at:
Dennis Krull – Email dkrullsd@gmail.com

The tagline for Sioux Falls Mayoral Candidate Taneeza Islam declares that her campaign “is powered by grassroots supporters.”

But if you look at her campaign finance report filed this last week, it appears that the grassroots supporters she’s talking about are in Michigan, where she has received nearly 70% of her campaign funding, according to her latest campaign finance report:

1_5_2022_ Taneeza for Sioux Falls Campaign Finance Disclosure Report Taneeza Islam by Pat Powers on Scribd

According to records filed by Mayoral Candidate Taneeza Islam with the Sioux Falls city clerk, ignoring the 10k she reported putting into her own race, of the itemized $55.685.37 she reported (Contributions from individuals + entities), Only 23% ($12,657.08) comes from within South Dakota.

However, a staggering 69% of that total ($38,300) comes from Michigan, with assorted minor dollar amounts coming from Minnesota, California, etc.

Literally, for every dollar she raised from Sioux Falls and surrounding areas, Taneeza raised three in Michigan, primarily from the Saginaw, Michigan area where ten of her $1000 donors hail from, with others from Freeland, Bay City, Ortonville, and Port Huron, Michigan.

In comparison, her opponent and current Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken raised $80,682 in the most recent campaign finance report, and there were only 5 donors from out of state, totaling $3,881.95 or about 5% of the donation in his report.

Stay tuned.

Is it just me, or did the Haugaard for Governor press machine cough to a halt in Mid-December?

After 9 press releases total since the campaign’s launch in mid-November, with 4 of those releases coming in a week between 12/8-12/15, the Haugaard campaign seems to be relying exclusively on facebook, hitting a farm show, and no attempts at earned media.

While you would normally expect some holiday slowdown, I’m a bit surprised that they’ve gone radio silent since the middle of the last month.

Speaking of Facebook, the Ad disclosure page seems to indicate that so far Haugaard has put over $5200 into Facebook ads to hammer our social media, with over $900 in the last week.

That appears to be about 10% of what the Governor has hit facebook with ($9656 in the last week).

But then again, from reports, the Governor has the money to do it.  While the extent of Haugaard’s cash remains to be seen.