New candidates have arrived, and others have departed since we last looked at the races for statewide office from top to bottom. And, it is time for a long overdue update of the “SDWC Tale of the Tape” for a rundown of rumor, conjecture and who you can expect might actually be running on the Republican side of the ticket in South Dakota for the 2026 election.
Current Delegate here. Planning to support Brock, David, Jason, and Marty if he runs for AG. Hoping we get an experienced conservative PUC candidate.
I’m also a delegate. I second that list.
Agree w/ all these plus Sen. Mike Rounds
Time for candidates to declare – unless you’re Dusty – he’s the only one in any position to wait. Everyone else has to start raising money now or risk not having it when they need it. Is Rhoden running or not? Or is he just going to hold out until February and not run, and then push Tony into short House race? Is there a game afoot, or is Rhoden really wanting to be Governor? Seems like everyone is trying to play a game of chess right now.
To be clear, I’m for Dusty. And Crabtree. And someone other than the two mentioned for SOS.
I dont think anyone needs to rush. Once Dusty makes a decision the dominoes will start to fall quickly. These campaigns have become too long in recent years.
Larry and Marty are playing chicken with each other.
By the time one of them makes a decision they will both be out of gas.
US Senate: Rounds
US House: Jackley
Governor: D Johnson
AG: Wollman or Haggar
SOS: M Johnson
SPL: Brock
PUC: Mehlhaff
A/T: ??? Maybe combine the offices?
Move the non budgetary portions of BFM under the state auditor again.
We should also make the agriculture secretary elected like ND.
Perhaps do away with the lt governor like Arizona, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Wyoming.
Years ago it was tried to get rid of public lands. The voters rejected it. Since then various govs offices have worked to lessen its responsibility by under staffing it and under funding it.
Anon 11:01 we have had these conversations and almost pulled the trigger on legislation combining 2. About as much traction as combining every county under 5000 citizens into a minimum of 4. The other intellectually over legislators heads was Lust’s bill on reorganizing school Superintendents in districts under 300 students. Millions less prop taxes. Ed McLaughlin gave David one pity vote in House Ed……. Never overlook a sitting Gov’s power of persuasion or a very likable guy moving into a position making South Dakota look extremely rockstar nationally! Marty? 😎
I’d like to hear WHY people support Dusty? What exactly has he done? Because I don’t see his policies as helpful to the country, let alone our great state.
I hope Marty runs for Congress. I don’t think Crabtree could compete with him, nor can anyone else on that list. We need Marty in Washington, someone who can stand strong.
Marty is a frontrunner for governor and congress and AG. If there were 3 of him our state would be in the best position.
I see that his projection has Senator Jim Mehlhaff as a possible candidate for the SDPUC.
If Jim Eschenbaum sees that, he will likely find any landowner with any utility experience to challenge him. Mehlhaff was one of the stronger supporters of Summit and that would be blasphemy to Jim.
Since Summit’s loss to the PUC, things have taken an interesting turn. Representative Roger Chase now with the FSA(Farm Service Agency), Senator David Wheeler now a judge & the potential of Mehlhaff on the PUC & 45Q tax credit staying alive in the reconciliation bill. This could lead them to be more involved in the state to try to enhance their chances when they apply again.
PUC is tricky. You can’t spout off on every issue and not recuse yourself.
Once you share an opinion publicly then you have to recuse yourself. Once that happens you’ve put the decision into the governors hands.
Todd Schlekeway would be an interesting candidate for PUC. His political background and his current work running an association in the telecom space make for a solid PUC resume.
Schlek is a good guy. Love to see him come back and give it a run!
He wanted to run 10 or 15 years ago when Fiegen was appointed. Since then he has shown zero interest in the PUC.
Mehlahff is a straight shooter and good guy. He would treat everyone fairly and judge every docket on the merits and not based on his personal opinions.
He’d be excellent.
Jim would also do a good job if he chooses to run. Lots of good options.