Gov. Rhoden Is Only Candidate Endorsed by NRA

Pierre, SD – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA), and he received an A+ rating for his support for the Second Amendment. Governor Rhoden is the only candidate in the gubernatorial race endorsed by the NRA. You can find the endorsement here.

“The Second Amendment exists to protect all our other rights, and I have proudly stood for it my entire career,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “South Dakota is the most pro-Second Amendment state in America, and we’re keeping it that way! This year, we made South Dakota the first state in America to remove regulations on suppressors. It’s but the latest in a long list of results that I’ve delivered for law-abiding gun owners in South Dakota. Thank you to the NRA for their support!”

Earlier this year, Governor Rhoden signed SB 2 (often called SB 2A), making South Dakota the first state in America to remove suppressors from the concealed weapons list. During the Noem-Rhoden Administration, South Dakota became the first state in America to eliminate concealed carry permits. And Constitutional Carry was the first bill signed during the Noem-Rhoden Administration.

Governor Rhoden was the prime sponsor on at least a half-dozen bills to advance the Second Amendment while in the Legislature, including the bill to eliminate the 48-hour waiting period for pistol purchases.

Find out more about Governor Rhoden’s results to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free at RhodenResults.com.

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From Facebook, South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson has been endorsed by the South Dakota Fraternal Order of Police in the race for Governor:

Johnson Receives South Dakota Fraternal Order of Police Endorsement

Rapid City, S.D. – Today, gubernatorial candidate and Congressman Dusty Johnson received the endorsement of the South Dakota Fraternal Order of Police.

“In every conversation I’ve had with law enforcement officers across this state, it is clear South Dakota can do better,” said Johnson. “We must fix our state’s broken parole and probation system. We need to increase offender accountability, and we need strong leadership to address these issues before it puts our communities at risk. I’m grateful and humbled to receive this endorsement and look forward to continuing work with organizations like the South Dakota Fraternal Order of Police during my time as Governor.”

“Throughout his career in public service, Dusty Johnson has shown a steadfast commitment to supporting law enforcement, strengthening public safety, and standing with the men and women who serve our communities every day,” said the South Dakota Fraternal Order of Police. “South Dakota deserves leadership grounded in integrity, accountability, and common-sense solutions. We believe Dusty Johnson has the experience, character, and vision necessary to lead South Dakota forward. We encourage the citizens of South Dakota to join us in supporting Dusty Johnson for Governor.”

To learn more about the endorsement, please click here.

The South Dakota Fraternal Order of Police is comprised of over 1,400 active and retired law enforcement officers at the federal, state, and local levels.

Safety and Discovery
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
May 8, 2026

BIG Update

Public safety begins in our communities. Our police officers, firefighters, and emergency services personnel are on the frontlines every day to keep South Dakotans safe. This week, I toured the Public Safety Building in Lake Norden – an outstanding example of a community prioritizing safety and resilience. After their public safety building burned down in 2023, the people of Lake Norden came together to build a brand new facility that serves the entire region.

Johnson meets with public safety officials in Lake Norden

I also met with leaders from Working Against Violence, Inc. (WAVI) in Rapid City. WAVI provides critical services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault across western South Dakota. Their dedicated team provides shelter, therapy, and guidance, which are all essential services for families seeking safety.

Johnson tours WAVI shelter in Rapid City

BIG Idea

Deep beneath the Black Hills of South Dakota, researchers are working to answer some of the biggest questions about our universe – discoveries that could help explain why we live in a matter-dominated world. The U.S. Department of Energy is a key partner in these efforts, and I was honored to join Undersecretary Dr. Darío Gil for a beam signing ceremony marking the next phase of construction at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). Projects like this don’t just advance scientific understanding, they create high paying jobs right here in South Dakota and generate economic and scientific benefits felt across the country.

Johnson speaks with Undersecretary Dr. Darío Gil and others at the SURF beam signing

BIG News

My bill to make it easier for families to buy a home on tribal trust land was signed into law by President Trump. The Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act cuts through unnecessary bureaucracy at the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and streamlines the mortgage approval process on trust land.

Right now, a mortgage that requires BIA approval can take more than a year to move forward – far too long for families trying to put down roots. With this new law, those approvals will happen faster, helping more families achieve the American Dream and improving homeownership opportunities across Indian Country.

I’m grateful to Senators John Thune and Mike Rounds for their leadership in getting our bill signed into law.

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Our People
By: Governor Larry Rhoden
May 8, 2026

When visitors arrive in our state, they are greeted with warm smiles and friendly faces. South Dakota is known for our world class hospitality – and all the credit goes to our people and our way of life. Tourism is not just about where people go; it’s about the connections they make, the memories they create, and the communities they support along the way.

These connections are important because tourism is more than a seasonal activity in South Dakota. It’s a year-round economic engine that supports communities in every corner of our state. In 2025 alone, nearly 15 million visitors traveled to South Dakota, generating a record $5.16 billion in visitor spending. These aren’t just numbers. They represent livelihoods, small businesses, and families that thrive because visitors choose to invest their time and dollars in our state.

During National Travel and Tourism Week, it is important to remember that travelers also play a critical role in easing the tax burden on our citizens. By generating more than $400 million in state and local tax revenue, this industry helps fund essential services while saving each South Dakota household over $1,100 annually. That is the power of welcoming the world to experience our Great Faces and Great Places. And next year when the record-breaking property tax cut takes effect, tourists will help decrease the tax burden on South Dakotans to an even greater degree!

From our biggest monuments to our smallest communities, South Dakota has one thing at every stop: our people. They work hard, live by common sense, and they understand how to approach situations with civility. Everywhere I visit across the state, I am met with the same thing: friendly and strong-willed South Dakotans.

Along with the travel industry, we’ve been setting aside time to celebrate professional groups like nurses, correctional professionals, state employees, and teachers. They all share a common heart of service. I find the same factor of friendliness and grit when I visit with those working in our healthcare facilities, prisons, state agencies, and schools.

A couple weeks ago, I toured Harrisburg High School and Brandon Valley High School. The focus of these visits was to understand their youth apprenticeship programs. I was amazed at the opportunities for students. As I see it, South Dakota is open for opportunity even in our K-12 schools, combining curriculum, work experience, and college credit to give our students purpose and direction when they graduate. I can think of few greater gifts to give to serve each other than to give the gift of purpose.

This month, many of our students across the state will celebrate graduations. I want them to stay in South Dakota. They are product of our people and our way of life. In order to make this expansion of youth apprenticeships possible, we are opening a statewide apprenticeship coordinator. This will multiply what these schools have created and open more doors for students to find work and opportunities right here in South Dakota – all while continuing their education.

Creating opportunities for our next generation keeps me motivated when the sledding gets tough. And just like travelers that come back every year to experience the connection with our folks, I enjoy being your governor most when I’m out meeting our citizens, seeing what they are proud of and what gives them purpose. It is a reminder of two truths I already know: that our people are world class, and our way of life is special. Thank you for being a part of it.

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Police Officers: A Noble Calling
By Sen. John Thune

Take a look at a police officer’s belt, and you get a sense of their job. They carry handcuffs for criminals, a flashlight to see in the dark places they have to go, and a first aid kit to help a person who’s hurt. And in a single shift, an officer may very well use all of these things. That’s the type of job police officers have, and these items tell us something about the type of individuals who serve their community in this way. During National Police Week, we salute these brave men and women.

Police officers represent some of the best of our country. If someone needs help, they’re the first on the scene. When there’s danger, they put themselves in harm’s way. And they – and their families – make considerable sacrifices for their communities. The recent shooting of a Sioux Falls police officer is a timely reminder of the dangers police officers face in the course of doing their jobs. And it’s a reminder for all of us to be grateful for the men and women in our community who are willing to face these dangers in order to keep us safe.

Growing up in the small town of Murdo, the officers who served our town and county and the highway patrol officers who worked I-90 were all fixtures of daily life. And my dad, a World War II veteran who knew something about the sacrifice of those serving in uniform, instilled in us a deep respect for law enforcement – something I’ve carried throughout my life.

Unfortunately, respect for law enforcement isn’t always a given these days, but it should be. Kimberley and I now have six grandchildren, which makes us even more acutely aware of the importance of having safe communities for them and other children to grow up in. But safety doesn’t happen by chance. It takes people with character and courage to stand up to protect our communities and to support the people who live in them. That’s exactly what police officers do, from arresting criminals to helping stranded motorists to mentoring young people.

As a U.S. senator, I have an additional responsibility to support law enforcement. Last year, congressional Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts bill made a significant investment in state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. That same bill also provided tax relief for police officers, especially by allowing them to deduct overtime pay they earn when they spend long hours and holidays on the job away from their loved ones.

We ask a lot of police officers. Their job requires them to face dangerous places, people, and situations. When others run away, police officers run toward the danger. It takes a special type of person to be willing to risk their own safety to keep the rest of us safe, but that’s what a police officer does. And I’m grateful for those who have stepped up to answer this noble calling.

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Rhoden for Governor Demands Blatantly False Advertising be Removed

Pierre, SD – Today, the Rhoden for Governor Campaign demanded that blatantly false advertising by the Rushmore Principles PAC be pulled off air for categorically false claims. The Rushmore Principles PAC is operating on behalf of Dusty Johnson’s gubernatorial bid. A copy of the cease & desist letter is attached.

“Governor Rhoden has cut taxes his entire career. He eliminated the Trucker’s Tax, he fixed property taxes for ag, and this year, he delivered the largest property tax cut in South Dakota history!” said Ian Fury, Campaign Manager for Rhoden for Governor. “If an opponent would so willingly lie to gain a political advantage, then that individual does not possess the integrity necessary to serve the people of South Dakota. South Dakotans deserve a Governor with integrity, and such lies are disqualifying.”

The ad falsely claims that Governor Larry Rhoden raised the gas tax. The last two times that the gas tax increased were in 1999 and 2015 – and Larry Rhoden was not serving in either the legislative nor the executive branch in either of those years.

The ad also falsely claims that Governor Rhoden raised fees on concealed carry permits. During the Noem-Rhoden Administration, fees for concealed carry permits were eliminated entirely. In fact, the first bill that Governor Noem signed into law was constitutional carry, which made concealed carry permits irrelevant, and Governor Rhoden stood right by her side when she signed it. Furthermore, while he was in the legislature, Larry Rhoden was the prime sponsor for the bill to enact constitutional carry. Governor Rhoden did work on the bill to establish an enhanced carry permit while he was in the legislature, but that was a new opportunity – not a fee increase.

“We’ve sent this complaint to the FCC and every station that is carrying the ad,” continued Ian Fury. “If this false advertising is not pulled down, we will pursue further action.”

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Caught this on-line, where apparently the Jon Hansen for Governor campaign has subbed out media work to another state:

Last I knew, Goss was selling pizza in Indiana at an 80’s-themed pizza place owned by his family.

Apparently media work was not on the menu at Pizza Ranch in South Dakota, so Hansen had to order out.

The Dakota Scout had a story today doing a deep dive into the background of State Treasurer candidate Heath Shields, along with an interview that seems to have been contentious:

“I am a person of faith. If you really want to get into the weeds, we can do that,” he told The Dakota Scout.

The review found two bankruptcies and criminal charges scattered throughout Shields’ background report, including charges involving possession of more than four ounces of marijuana, prostitution and writing a bad check. While those charges were filed decades ago in his home state of Texas, Shields’ most recent bankruptcy filing occurred in 2017. A simple assault charge and an aggravated assault charge from 2024 also appear on his criminal background report.

Shields defended his record in a phone call with The Dakota Scout on Thursday, saying his criminal history stemmed from a rough upbringing in his youth and characterizing the bankruptcies as a product of building a successful business empire that included auto dealerships, a gun range and auto repair shops.

And..

“I can say that all new hires at the State Treasurer’s Office are required to pass a background check,” Hull said in a text message sent to The Dakota Scout on Thursday. “If what you have said is true, it does not sound like he would be hired to work there.”

Read the entire story here.

There is far more in the story than I can unpack here, because I can’t quote everything from both sides. Suffice it to say you should go read the article for yourself and make your own decisions.

By Grabthar’s hammer!

Oh! That was from the movie Galaxy Quest.

But this is from Tuesday night‘s City Council meeting in Sioux Falls:

You can watch the invocation for yourself here.  And you should, because that is not something you see every day. Even in Sioux Falls.

Attorney General Jackley Congratulates Minnehaha County State’s Attorney Daniel Haggar for Prosecutor of the Year Award

PIERRE, S.D.  – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley congratulates Minnehaha County State’s Attorney Daniel Haggar for being named as the Prosecutor of the Year by the South Dakota State’s Attorneys Association.

“Daniel Haggar is a strong prosecutor who works tirelessly to protect the people of Minnehaha County,” said Attorney General Jackley. “I appreciate his partnerships with the Attorney General‘s office and prosecutors across our State.”

Haggar received the award Thursday during the Association’s annual meeting in Deadwood. The Prosecutor of the Year award, established in 2002, is given annually to an outstanding South Dakota prosecutor.

Past winners of the award are:

• 2002 – Clyde Calhoon
• 2003 – Dave Nelson
• 2004 – Mark Smith
• 2005 – Hope Okerlund Matchan
• 2006 – Ron Oswald
• 2007 – Hon. Mark Barnett
• 2008 – Marty Jackley
• 2009 – Pam Tiede
• 2010 – Michael Moore
• 2011 – James Iosty
• 2012 – John Fitzgerald
• 2013 – Robert Mayer
• 2014 – Scott Roetzel and Crystal Johnson
• 2015 – Mark Vargo
• 2016 – Aaron McGowan
• 2017 – Lara Roetzel
• 2018 – Thomas Hensley
• 2019 – Roxanne Hammond
• 2020 – Randy R. Sample
• 2021 – Thomas Wollman
• 2022 – Shane Penfield
• 2023 – Dylan Kirchmeier
• 2024 – Jay Alderman

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