The South Dakota Freedom (aka Free-dumb) Caucus chaired by State Representative Phil Jensen sent out a press release today claiming that Phil himself was kicked out of the House Republican Caucus today:

Today, the South Dakota House Republican Caucus removed one of its own members, Representative Phil Jensen, following a complaint raised by Democrats during House floor debate on Senate Concurrent Resolution 604 (SCR 604).

and..

According to reports from numerous members, Representative Jensen was asked not to attend today’s caucus meeting and was formally removed from the House Republican Caucus due to his comments.

(I’m not going to post the rest of their silliness)

This comes after Phil’s removal from the House Education Committee several days ago, and his removal as vice-chair from the same committee last year after his attacks on the Huron School District.

Of course, Phil Jensen’s list of his instances of being a jackass is many, many-years long. Because, after dodging the draft, and asking that some doctors are able to be legally killed, talking about how you can tell someone’s race by the shape of their skulls, among other things, it’s just shocking that it took them this this long to do so.

This comes just a couple of years after Julie Frye-Mueller was notably absent from the Senate GOP Caucus over that whole breastfeeding harassment thing, and the Free-dumb caucusers complaining shortly thereafter about Tom Pischke being booted from the Senate GOP Caucus for demanding that his fellow Republican Senators be arrested.

Stay tuned. I’m sure there will be more whining that he’s out of the Republican caucus. Although, Phil still has his own caucus to hang out in.

Sioux Falls Mayoral Candidates have their campaign finance reports in, with the exception of Greg Jamison who announced after January 1.

And if we’re not counting a candidate who is largely self-finding to date, we have a clear winner in the contest for popular support in what she’s been able to raise. Yes, she. The one who isn’t a middle-aged guy.  Because Christine Erickson is managing to pull together the most financial support in the run-up to the June 2 election, and arguably the broadest base of voters.

Candidate	Raised	Spent	Cash on Hand	Notes
Jamie Smith	$53,713.39	$37,292.53	$51,855.82	X-ferred $44,667.50 from previous accounts
Marshall Selberg	$15,754.10	$11,402.52	$4351.58
Joe Batcheller	$70,660.00*	$4,943.09	$65,716.91	*Includes $33,230 from PAC w/20k from  Batcheller family
David Zokaites	$805	0	$805
Christine Erickson	$103,070.55	$22,864.01	$80,206.54
Greg Jamison				No Report Due Began campaign in 2026

 Democrat-default candidate Jamie Smith in search of his next job started with $35,434.96 in his campaign account from his prior report. But his previous report is where you’ll find that he pulled $44,667.50 from all the people who wanted him to be the Democrat nominee for Governor, etc, with a good chunk of that carried over. The newest report has him burning through 70% of what he raised during the latest period, and his cash on hand represents what’s left over from this report and the last one.

Marshall Selberg moves forward with $4300.. only slightly better than David Zokaites’ $805.  When that’s the space you’re occupying in the race, I’m not sure that this is a comparison a serious candidate wants.

Joe Batcheller has the second highest amount on hand, but we’re not seeing a lot of breadth in his support. If you get past the Batcheller’s and the Kirby’s.. it’s not a terribly long list for a city of 300,000 people. On the main report, Batcheller clan is in for $9050. Kirby’s are in for $2500.

1_30_2026_ Committee to Elect Joe Batcheller Campaign Finance Disclosure Report Joe Batcheller by Pat Powers

But if you get to the PAC they’re using to blast the big bucks in (or at least make them tougher to find), Dan Kirby is in for another $10k, and people with the last name of Batcheller add another $20k to the kitty.

SiouxperPAC sdcfdisclosure by Pat Powers

If you’ve raised $70k for your campaign, and your family has put in 40% of it, and a buddy and their family has put in close to another 20%.. That’s 2 families putting in 2/3 of the cash. That’s not a wide river.

Christine Erickson’s report has what you want to see that some of the other reports are lacking – lots of individual donors, and many are not putting in eye-popping amounts. Just what you would raise from a lot of average joe’s getting up and writing a check.  There’s as many $125 and $250 donors as there are $1000 donors. It’s a broad base of support, and that’s what it takes to win an election. (Especially an election that is at the level of many state races, due to Sioux Falls’ population):

1_30_2026_ Christine for Sioux Falls Campaign Finance Disclosure Report Christine Erickson by Pat Powers

A check for the campaign does not just mean a vote for you – it means they’re a committed vote. And they’ll go to work.

There’s lots of campaign to go in the Sioux Falls Mayoral race, and Mayoral hopeful Greg Jamison has yet to show his cards in the race (you can find his legislative filing for 2025 here, with $11k on hand).

Stay tuned for more in the contest!

There was much seat squirming by State Representative Dylan Jordan in House Education today.

Probably because his rear-end was good and chapped about his final House bill of the session. As once again – you will find typical for his legislation – his bill was killed in committee because it’s a stupid idea that he spoke to no one about before he dumped it into the hopper.

His bill, HB 1133 to remove an enhanced permit as a condition of carrying a concealed pistol while on the campus of a public institution of higher education was widely opposed and shot up as many giving testimony feared college students would be if they passed his legislation.

Where are all of DJ Jazzy Jordan’s bills so far this session?

Every single bill failed… except for the one bill he withdrew.   The only thing left is a toothless resolution still pending which may find itself sharing the same fate.

And Rep. Jordan was not happy about his final bill being killed today. On a following bill that was being sent to the 41st day (HB1129), Jordan was just downright pissy.

He introduced a substitute “do pass” motion, which failed for lack of a second.  In response, like a petulant child, Dylan Jordan chirped up and said that “I didn’t realize I was in the Minnesota Education Committee.”   A point of order was called, and I’m told that after adjournment, Assistant Majority Leader Marty Overweg came up to have a talk with Jordan over his attitude.  (Jordan denies this on social media, but it was witnessed that there was a discussion with a member of leadership over the incident, maybe not him. The talking to may yet be coming).

Facing a crowded House primary in District 4 this year, Jordan’s record of failure after failure, coupled with acting like a child, is not going to provide him a record to run on.

In fact Dylan Jordan may have earned himself a record that he’s going to have to run from.  All the way back to his grandma’s house.

Lt. Governor Tony Venhuizen had a post on Facebook tonight in response to Gubernatorial candidate Toby Doeden, who should be congratulated for participating in his first gubernatorial primary ever. It’s his first time both in voting for a Republican candidate for Governor in a primary, and running at the same time as well.

Like a baboon in a cage, Doeden grabbed something off the floor, and lobbed one of his typically vague missives, this one criticizing the legislature for not solving the property tax problem.

Tony stepped up to the plate, and intimated to wannabe Doeden that there’s no time like the present – so he should step up to the plate with more than talk:

Toby Doeden:     Politicians Suck…..  very few of them have done anything to address the issues the actually make people’s lives easier. (Yadda, yadda on property taxes.)

Lt. Governor Venhuizen:  It would really benefit this discussion if Toby Doeden would put his proposal into a bill…   I’m sure one of his supporters in the legislature would be happy to sponsor it for him.

It must be awfully confusing for Toby, since he’s not used to participating in the political process.  He apparently doesn’t understand that when you’re a candidate for Governor, and you say that something is a problem should be solved, there is actually an expectation that the candidate is supposed to bring their solution.

Of course, that’s been pretty standard operating procedure for Doeden during the entire campaign. Complain about an issue. Say that someone ought to fix it, or we get a vague line that he’ll fix it.  But then the details never seem to come.

I’m not holding my breath that one of Toby Doeden’s free-dumb caucus minions will introduce his plan to fix everything. Because I have no doubt that he has any actual plan to solve our state’s problems. Just Toby’s list of empty promises for the campaign trail.

With Toby Doeden there’s always a lot of complaining about the problems of South Dakota, but never any solutions. Just a man without a plan.

And we get to see why some people say that politicians suck.

Angi Hanzlik Announces State House Campaign

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. — Angi Hanzlik, a small business owner, Navy veteran, and community leader, announced today that she is running as a Republican candidate for the South Dakota House of Representatives in District 26B. Hanzlik’s campaign will officially launch on February 2, 2026, ahead of the Republican primary on June 2, 2026.

“I’m incredibly excited to announce my candidacy for House of Representatives,” said Hanzlik. “I love this state and my community, and I look forward to earning your support.”

After serving 20 years in the United States Navy, Hanzlik and her family chose Chamberlain as the place to put down roots and raise their young family. Over the past 11 years, she has become deeply involved in the community through local leadership, volunteerism, and entrepreneurship.

“South Dakota is where my family found a true sense of home, and District 26B is where I’ve spent the last 11 years giving back to the community that welcomed us.” said Hanzlik.

With this House seat opening due to term limits, Hanzlik felt now was the time to step forward and serve. She is running to be a thoughtful, collaborative voice who listens first and works to strengthen the economy, support local communities, and create opportunities for the next generation.

Hanzlik has served on the Chamberlain Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, volunteered within the schools, and taken on leadership roles in both Cub Scouts and the Boy Scouts of America. In 2017, she purchased a building on Main Street, further investing in the vitality of downtown Chamberlain.

In 2020, Hanzlik co-founded Berry + Basil, a small business that has created new opportunities and strengthened connections across the region. Through this work, she was asked to be on the South Dakota Retailers Association Board of Directors and completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. These experiences provided her with firsthand insight into how state and federal policy decisions impact small businesses, workers, and communities.

As a candidate, Hanzlik says her priorities include supporting economic growth, education, and being a strong advocate for the needs and voices of District 26B.

“I believe good leadership starts with listening,” Hanzlik said. “I want to work collaboratively to solve problems and ensure our district has a strong, practical voice in Pierre.”

For more information or contributions, visit AngiHanzlik.com or on Facebook

Congressman Dusty Johnson posted his congressional campaign report to the FEC yesterday. And as hinted, it teases the depths of the resources that Dusty has available to throw at the 2026 South Dakota gubernatorial campaign.

While after consolidating all of the money in his committees under his main campaign account, Governor Larry Rhoden filed a report noting resources of around $512,000 in the hunt for campaign cash. Yet in his main federal account his chief opponent Dusty Johnson dwarfs his campaign’s fundraising ability by a factor of ten.

Dusty Johnson FEC Report 4q 2025 by Pat Powers

$386,578.26 in receipts into Friends of Dusty Johnson, against minor expenses of $5121.93. Leaving Congressman Johnson $5,582,908.98 just hanging around in that federal account checkbook that he can transfer to his Gubernatorial campaign with a moment’s notice.

These campaigns are going to change significantly over the coming months as they switch from a quiet mode to a more amplified state. And a lot will depend on the resources they have to sustain them in their efforts. And whether it is in terms of manpower to knock on doors or financial reserves to press a message forward to the people of South Dakota, it is more than clear that the Dusty Johnson campaign lacks neither.

Saddling Up for the Black Hills Stock Show
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
January 30, 2026

The Black Hills Stock Show kicks off this weekend in Rapid City, and there’s no event that captures the spirit of South Dakota quite like it. Each year, the Stock Show brings people together for world-class rodeos, concerts, vendors, and fellowship. It’s a true celebration of our ag heritage and the hardworking folks who make our state great. I’ll be at the Stock Show this weekend and next, and look forward to visiting with folks from across South Dakota and the region.

I value the conversations I have with producers about their work to feed and fuel the world. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I’ve been focused on supporting our producers, especially through uncertain times. I’m excited to share with producers that nearly 80% of the Farm Bill was included in the Working Families Tax Cuts, reauthorizing critical programs that support producers across the country.

I’ve been consistently ranked among the most effective members in Congress on agricultural issues, and it’s due in large part to the face-to-face conversations I have with producers at events like the Stock Show.

President Trump recently reaffirmed his support for year-round E-15, and I’m leading the charge to get a deal for the president to sign. Allowing the nationwide sale of year-round E-15 helps our farmers and gives consumers a cheaper, cleaner choice at the pump.

I’ve also heard concerns about China buying American farmland which is why I’ve championed efforts in Congress to prevent the Chinese Communist Party from making these purchases. Trade continues to be a concern for many, and I’ve been working to ensure fair and robust market access for South Dakota exporters. My bill to reauthorize the Federal Maritime Commission – the entity that ensures safe passage for American ag imports and exports – passed the House in December 2025.

I am proud to represent South Dakota’s producers in Washington. If you’re heading to the Black Hills Stock Show this weekend, be sure to say hello – I’d love to visit with you.

Johnson at the Stock Show in Rapid City

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Rounds Issues Statement Following Senate’s Passage of Third FY26 Appropriations Package
Rounds secured $145.7 million in funding for projects in South Dakota

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued a statement following the Senate’s passage of a package of five appropriations bills for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.

The legislation included appropriations bills for Defense; Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS); Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies (T-HUD); Financial Services and General Government (FSGG); and National Security, Department of State and Related Programs. This legislation also includes a continuing resolution for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations through February 13.

“The appropriations process is one way we work to deliver real results for South Dakota. After years of continuing resolutions that reflect a Biden budget under Democrat leadership, we’ve now passed 11 of the 12 appropriations bills that fund 96% of government programs with President Trump’s priorities,” said Rounds. “This batch of appropriations bills includes several million dollars for projects in South Dakota that aim to improve in our rural health care facilities, expand our regional airports and invest in affordable housing. The bill also provides partial funding for the construction of an elementary school in Box Elder to support the influx of families from the bed down of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber.

“I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to pass the Homeland Security appropriations bill. DHS houses a number of agencies that are critical for operations in our nation, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In addition, the men and women of Customs and Border Protection and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement continue to carry out the hard work of enforcing our immigration laws in this nation. I urge my colleagues to come to an agreement as soon as possible to prevent a lapse in funding for DHS operations.”

Rounds has served on the Senate Committee on Appropriations since January 2025. He serves on six subcommittees, including LHHS. Read a list of Rounds’ Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) wins in the appropriations bills below totaling over $147 million for South Dakota. While the Defense Appropriations Act does not allow CDS, the legislation includes $88.5 million for South Dakota equities secured by Rounds.

Defense:

• Includes $88.5 million for South Dakota defense companies and universities working with the Department of Defense. This work will be done in South Dakota for programs to build and develop:
  • Product improvement programs for weapons and munitions
  • Cold regions advanced materials and manufacturing
  • Advanced materials and manufacturing for hypersonic weapons
  • Enhancing high-altitude surveillance and communications capabilities
  • Additive manufacturing rapid maintenance capabilities
  • Critical hybrid advanced materials processing
  • Air Force Global Strike additive manufacturing rapid maintenance facilities
  • Upgrades for the Army’s M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzers
  • Cold spray multi-effect munitions
  • Refurbishment of the Mk41 vertical launching system lines for the Aegis Combat System
  • APEX Accelerators to assist South Dakota small businesses working with the Department
  • Support for South Dakota Civil Air Patrol
  • STARBASE: STEM education funding for South Dakotan children
  • Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) to help fund universities doing research for the DOD outside of traditional large-market research hubs

LHHS:

• Includes seven of Rounds’ CDS requests, totaling $20.21 million:
  • $10,175,000 for cancer care equipment for Avera Health
  • $2,953,000 for the South Dakota State University College of Nursing to expand nursing education in Rapid City and Sioux Falls
  • $2,551,000 for hospital expansion and renovation at Bennett County Hospital & Nursing Home
  • $2 million for Early Childhood Enrichment Collaborative at the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains
  • $1,099,000 to replace and modernize the boiler and pump upgrade at the Coteau des Prairies Hospital in Sisseton
  • $750,000 for artificial intelligence integration at South Dakota State University
  • $683,000 to replace and modernize the chiller system at the Coteau des Prairies Hospital in Sisseton
• Increases discretionary funding for the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative
• Supports National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Library of Medicine
• Supports Impact Aid, Head Start and Special Olympics Health

T-HUD:

• Includes seven of Rounds’ CDS requests, totaling $124.8 million:
  • $42 million for a new elementary school in the Douglas School District to support the bed-down of the B-21 bomber
  • $30 million for expansions at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport
  • $25 million for reconstruction of the Platte/Winner bridge on SD Highway 44
  • $20 million to upgrade security, ticketing and baggage at the Rapid City Regional Airport
  • $4 million for Box Elder Regional Transportation Improvement Project Planning and Design
  • $3 million for the Crow Creek Housing Authority Development to construct ten new affordable housing units
  • $840,000 for the Magdalene Dakota rehab facility for women exiting the women’s prison in Pierre
• Includes $22.2 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – including support for FAA efforts to hire 2500 more air traffic controllers.
• Supports Native American Housing programs at HUD

FSGG:

• Includes one of Rounds’ CDS requests:
  • $750,000 for a sallyport at the Pierre Federal Building
• Includes $324,000,000 for the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, including $28 million for native initiatives.

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The Pro-Life Movement Marches Forward
By Sen. John Thune

Every January, tens of thousands of Americans come to Washington, D.C., to participate in the March for Life. They come from every background and every corner of our country to testify to the truth that every human being – no matter how small or vulnerable – has infinite value, is created in the image and likeness of God, and is endowed with the right to life.

The March for Life is an occasion for hope and a powerful reminder that babies in the womb have many defenders. Of course, the march is just one small facet – one day – of the pro-life movement’s extensive work providing help and hope to moms in need. As an example, in 2024, pregnancy resource centers provided $452 million in medical care and support for moms and babies. And we can’t begin to quantify the value of pro-life Americans who take steps big and small every day to protect life and support moms.

We also have a role to play in Congress, and I am proud that last year we passed the first pro-life law in decades. Thanks to Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts legislation, this year some of the nation’s largest abortion providers – including Planned Parenthood – are prohibited from receiving federal Medicaid funding. Organizations that have turned the killing of babies into a business are cut off, and it’s already having an impact.

Recently, Republicans brought up another pro-life bill: the Pregnant Students’ Rights Act. No student should have to feel she has to choose between keeping her baby and completing her education. So this bill would help ensure that pregnant college students are aware of the support available to them in their local communities and on their campuses both while they are pregnant and after giving birth. Sadly, even this bill to support moms and babies was too much for pro-abortion Democrats who blocked the bill.

For many years, pro-life Americans have persevered through an uphill battle. Our strength – our hope – is that we have the truth on our side. We know the science, we have ultrasounds and sonograms, we can see a baby in the womb waving her hands and sucking her thumb. At the core of our being, every one of us knows that an unborn baby is a human being, and every human being deserves to be protected. Abortion requires us to suppress our natural instincts and ignore our eyes. But sooner or later, the truth will win, and life will prevail.

I’m proud to be a defender of life, and I will continue working to protect the unborn, support moms and babies, and create a culture of life in our country. I’m grateful to the South Dakotans who, over the years, have joined the March for Life and who have been both witnesses and instruments in defense of the dignity of the unborn. We have the truth on our side, and I have every confidence that this truth will march on.

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HB 1103: Higher Property Taxes, Worse Water Protection
by Garth Wadsworth, Public Policy Director, Elevate Rapid City

When Rep. Scott Odenbach introduces legislation to restrict water rights, he doesn’t mention the impact on your property tax bill. But make no mistake—HB 1103 will have a direct and lasting impact on housing affordability that will drive up property taxes for current Black Hills residents, while doing nothing to protect water sources.

Here’s how it works: By artificially constraining water supply, you restrict housing construction. Less housing supply = increasing home assessments. Higher assessments = higher property taxes for everyone.

Last year, Rep. Odenbach sponsored legislation to investigate Black Hills development. His intention was to restrict all development.  Fortunately, this effort was defeated.  HB 1103 is another attempt for restricting all development: eliminate an obscure geologic exemption that gives the Black Hills some flexibility when accessing deep aquifers. We can’t build houses without water permits.

This is about pulling up the ladder. Odenbach has his property. He’s established. Now he wants to shut the door on everyone else trying to build a life in the Black Hills. But here’s the problem: this is a free country. We can’t stop people from moving to South Dakota. They’re coming whether Odenbach likes it or not.

So what happens when people keep arriving but we’ve strangled the ability to build housing? Either they bid up prices on existing homes (inflating your property taxes), or they resort to scattered development on individual exempt wells—exactly the outcome that’s worst for aquifer protection, water quality, and community planning.

HB 1103 does the opposite of what it claims. The bill says it protects water, but it will actually increase contamination risks. By making it more expensive and difficult to for regulated water systems to get permits, we push development toward smaller, dispersed clusters of private wells. These private wells are not subject to the same regulation and oversight. Water distribution systems serving 15 or more households must go through rigorous permitting and monitoring. Individual private wells don’t. By pricing regulated systems out of the market, HB 1103 pushes new development toward these unregulated wells—which is exactly the worst outcome for protecting our aquifers.

Current Black Hills residents should be furious. This isn’t about responsible water management—DANR already handles that effectively. This is about one legislator’s anti-growth agenda, not environmental protection; the end result will cost us all in higher property taxes and greater risk to ground water.

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As Elevate Rapid City’s Senior Public Policy Director, Garth Wadsworth works with community stakeholders to plan for strategic growth and quality of life in the region.