Gov. Rhoden Calls Attorney General to Investigate Abortion Advertising Campaign
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Larry Rhoden urged Attorney General Marty Jackley to investigate a new abortion ad campaign, which appears to conflict with South Dakota’s proud pro-life stance. He made this request in a letter, which you can find here. The Attorney General quickly agreed to pursue the investigation.
“South Dakota has the most pro-life laws in the nation – I am proud of that fact,” wrote Governor Larry Rhoden. “This advertising campaign threatens the lives of children yet to be born in our state, and it also threatens the health of South Dakota mothers, as chemical abortions are four times as likely to cause a mother to end up in the emergency room.”
According to KELOLAND News, Mayday Health is advertising abortion pills at 30 gas stations in 20 South Dakota cities. This campaign is potentially in violation of South Dakota’s pro-life laws, including SDCL 22-17-5.1 and 36-4-8, or could even be a deceptive trade practice.
“All ad campaigns, no matter what the issue, need to follow state laws and fair trade practices,” said Attorney General Marty Jackley. “We will review these ads and determine if any laws have been broken. If laws have been broken, we will take appropriate action.”
“I thank you in advance for investigating this matter and defending both South Dakota moms and their babies. My team will continue working with yours to assess whether this issue needs to be addressed with further legislation,” continued Governor Rhoden.
The Noem-Rhoden Administration banned chemical abortions via telemedicine with HB 1318 in 2022. Abortion became illegal in South Dakota, except to save the life of a pregnant mother, following the United States Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision in 2022, and South Dakota voters ratified that law with the defeat of Amendment G in 2024.
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“Freest state in the nation” he says.
“Mayday Health does not provide or ship abortion pills, they just provide information about the options available.”
Ban information! Rabble rabble!
But misinformation is okay! Chemical abortion is not 4x more likely to send someone to the emergency room. The pro-birth people are not okay.
Another example of outside special interest groups trying to influence South Dakota politics. Glad to see our Governor pushing back on them. South Dakotans have clearly voted they support the rights of the unborn.
The amount of pearl-clutching from our government in this state is almost comical. SD, you ok??
All these people posturing for political points thinking they are doing the work of God are “paid in full” as my man Jesus Christ would say. Just more Pharisees all over this state of SD.
P.S. Don’t be mad at me, Jesus said that, be mad at him.
Pro life means only one thing…Pro-Pregnancy.
If you don’t like abortion don’t have one. Women get your tube tied, men get snipped and you will never have to deal with pregnancy.
An early Christmas present for the ACLU!
I wish this state revered the 1st Amendment as much as it reveres the 2nd Amendment.
And I wish whatever amount of state money is spent on this silly investigation would go to giving teachers and other state employees even a modest raise.