SECRETARY OF STATE ANNOUNCES UNSUCCESSFUL CHALLENGE TO U.S. HOUSE PETITIONS

(Pierre, S.D.) – Secretary of State Monae L. Johnson has announced that James Bialota’s challenge to Attorney General Marty Jackley’s candidate petitions was unsuccessful. Attorney General Jackley will remain on the ballot as a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives at the Primary Election held on June 2, 2026.

A Republican candidate for U.S. House requires 2,171 valid signatures to appear on the ballot. April 1, 2026, the Secretary of State’s office completed the random sample of the petition signatures and found 86.7 percent to be valid.

Based on the results of the random sample, 3,168 signatures were deemed valid. Mr. Bialota’s challenge resulted in seven additional signatures within the random sample being deemed invalid. This impacted the overall validity rate by a little over one percent leaving Jackley with 3,126 valid signatures.

For more information on candidates who will be on the ballot at the Primary Election, please see the candidate list on the Secretary of State’s website: https://vip.sdsos.gov/candidatelist.aspx?eid=773.

Sioux Falls businessman John Pohlman has announced his candidacy for District 10 House, running on a platform of experience, conservative values and a results-driven approach to state government.

Pohlman, who recently sold his ownership stake with Lawrence & Schiller, has spent his career creating jobs and working to build one of the most respected marketing firms in the Midwest. He’s provided strategic direction to many of the best known companies and organizations in the region and has spent years working side-by-side with political leaders across South Dakota to deliver results for the state.

In addition to his work in the business community, Pohlman has volunteered his leadership to the Sioux Empire United Way, TeamMates Mentoring of South Dakota, the InterLakes Community Action Partnership Foundation and the University of South Dakota.

In Pierre, Pohlman plans to focus on keeping taxes low and spending under control, supporting law enforcement and public safety, making Sioux Falls affordable for working families, creating opportunities for the next generation and protecting the values that have made South Dakota strong.

A graduate of the University of South Dakota, Pohlman and his wife Stacey and have called Sioux Falls home for over 40 years, raising three daughters. They now have two grandchildren living in the city as well.

A Pohlman for District 10 House fundraiser is planned for May 6th at the Minnehaha Country Club. For more information, please visit PohlmanForSD.com

From my e-mail box, the Sioux Empire Better Government Committee is hosting a better government summit this coming Friday in Sioux Falls. And looking at it from a Republican lens, it looks like the Lincoln Day Dinner we didn’t have in Sioux Falls earlier, because they wanted to bring in a goofball instead of driving people to support our legislators who want South Dakota to be a better place than they found it.

Check it out this Friday night!

A new anti-abortion group has apparently formed, and has adopted the furthest-right position to date for the next legislative session. This new group including current and former legislators are seeking pledges from legislative candidates to push forward a measure to incarcerate women who have had an abortion:

Hot off the press:

The group claims Current State Rep’s Tony Randolph and Dylan Jordan, as was as former House member Patricia Shiery, who got booted off the ballot this year. Also included are former candidate Heather DeVries, and Gretchen Weible.

If any candidate receives this survey, I’ll tell you to throw it away. But you could also use it to line a bird cage, or clean up after a messy pet before you throw it away.

Seriously. If anyone is dumb enough to fill this out and return it, you deserve the negative attacks you’re going to get, because they want candidates to fill this out to be wielded as a weapon against them.

Another rubber chicken event, and another instance where Secretary of State Candidate Heather Baxter violates South Dakota campaigning laws surrounding the placement of a disclaimer on her advertisements.

12-27-15. Political communications to contain certain language–Exceptions–Violation as misdemeanor.

Any printed material or communication made, purchased, paid for, or authorized by a candidate or political committee that disseminates information concerning a candidate, public office holder, ballot question, or political party shall prominently display or clearly speak the statement: “Paid for by (name of candidate or political committee).” This section does not apply to buttons, balloons, pins, pens, matchbooks, clothing, or similar small items upon which the inclusion of the statement would be impracticable. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor. A subsequent offense within a calendar year is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Considering that Baxter has failed to include this information on many, if not most of her political communications this year, if she wins would everybody be able to quit putting disclaimers on their advertising or will that just be a special exception for the overseer of campaign finance laws?

Just asking.  Especially considering her promise to “promote accountability in campaign finance.“

So much for “Honest elections.”

According to a report from the Minnehaha County GOP, South Dakota Republican Party Chairman (and former 32-year Democrat) Jim Eschenbaum has been hospitalized as a result of an undisclosed illness (*headline updated to reflect report of heart attack):

If Eschenbaum resigns due to illness.. technically that would make Vice Chair Janet Jensen the chair of the SDGOP.

So absolutely. Please pray for Eschenbaum. And we will continue to monitor reports.

Update: 

According to reports from facebook late this afternoon, Eschenbaum suffered a heart attack, and is currently hospitalized awaiting tests.

Lower Tax Bills, Bigger Refunds
By Sen. John Thune

 I don’t know too many people who look forward to Tax Day, but thanks to Republicans’ landmark Working Families Tax Cuts legislation more Americans received good news when they filed their taxes this year. Without action from Congress, the average South Dakota family would have seen a $2,500 tax hike this year. Republicans were determined to not let that happen, and our landmark legislation not only prevented that tax hike but provided additional tax relief. And as a result, the American people are seeing lower tax bills, and the average tax refund is significantly higher than last year.

The centerpiece of the Working Families Tax Cuts is permanent tax relief for middle-income Americans. In 2017, Republicans lowered tax rates across the board. Last year, we made those lower rates permanent. We also increased the standard deduction, and we made it permanent too. And on top of that, seniors can now claim an extra $6,000 deduction to further reduce their tax burden.

As its name implies, the Working Families Tax Cuts is also about providing much-needed tax relief to Americans raising a family. After Republicans doubled the child tax credit in 2017, this bill raised it even further and permanently linked it to inflation so that its value will keep pace with the actual cost of raising kids. This bill also created new investment accounts for parents to invest in their children’s futures and expanded 529 education savings accounts to allow them to be used for a wider variety of education expenses like tutoring, homeschool materials, and vocational training.

The Working Families Tax Cuts is also a game-changer for certain Americans who earn tips and work overtime shifts. Republicans’ landmark bill allows these hardworking people to deduct overtime and tip income and realize significant tax savings as a result. And they are already planning to put that money into their education, savings, toward groceries and rent, or to help raise their families.

In addition to the tax relief this bill provided for families, small businesses and family farms and ranches are seeing tax relief too. They benefit from lower tax rates, as well as the 20 percent 199A small business tax deduction, which is also now a permanent feature of the tax code. Then there are the investment incentives – like 100 percent bonus depreciation and the research and development tax credit – which are permanent and already helping South Dakota businesses invest in their employees. And this bill also protects a lot more family businesses, farms, and ranches from the death tax and the costly estate planning expenses that come along with it, ensuring those enterprises can stay strong and family-run for generations to come.

Thanks to Republicans’ tax relief, Americans are keeping more of their hard-earned money, and because the Working Families Tax Cuts provides permanent tax relief to hardworking South Dakotans, you don’t have to worry about a tax hike next year or in the years to come.

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Safer Communities and South Dakota Connections
By Rep. Dusty Johnson
April 10, 2026

BIG Update

The overflow of illicit substances into our country has made our communities less safe and strained public resources. This influx of dangerous drugs was exacerbated by a previously unsecured southern border and the continued flow of fentanyl from China. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, 42% of pills tested for fentanyl contained at least 2mg of the substance, which is considered a potentially lethal dose. Today, fentanyl is tragically the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45.

Fentanyl has devastated communities across America which is why I’ve been a leader in Congress to secure our border and stop Chinese fentanyl from reaching our communities. I supported the HALT Fentanyl Act and the Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act, which passed the House, because protecting our kids and communities is a top priority. These bills would permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I narcotics and hold Chinese officials accountable for their failure to act against the production and trafficking of these deadly chemicals.

BIG Idea

I met with leaders in the Black Hills tourism industry about the impact visitors have on our state. We talked about the importance of a strong workforce and the benefits of national parks. The Black Hills attract visitors from around the world who want to see the beauty of our state, and I was glad to hear about the Tourism Coalition of South Dakota’s efforts to further showcase South Dakota.

Fireworks at Mount Rushmore is an event that demonstrates South Dakota’s commitment to American values on a national stage. The ticket lottery to view the fireworks in person recently opened. If you’re interested in attending, enter your name today! I invited President Trump and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to join in the celebration of America 250 with fireworks or a similar celebratory display.

 Johnson meets with the Tourism Coalition of South Dakota

BIG News

I helped secure $65 million in federal funding for the Platte-Winner bridge along Highway 44. This project is vital not only to Gregory and Charles Mix Counties, but keeps the entire region connected. This is huge news for South Dakota and a great investment in South Dakota’s infrastructure. I’m grateful the Trump Administration awarded our state this funding.

 

 

Click here or the image above to read about the project

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Driving Innovation in National Defense
By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
April 10, 2026

South Dakota has never been a place that sits on the sidelines. When there’s work to be done, we roll up our sleeves and get after it. The highest charge of government is to keep our people and their freedoms secure, so we’re rolling up our sleeves and getting it done.

In my State of the State address, I proclaimed that national security would be South Dakota’s “next big industry.” That wasn’t just a slogan. It was a recognition of what’s already happening here – and of the opportunities in front of us.

National security starts with food security, and nobody does that better than South Dakota. A nation that can’t feed itself is subject to the control of nations that control the food supply. Thankfully, South Dakota feeds the world. Our hardworking farmers and ranchers do incredible work to feed families across America and around the world. That’s a responsibility we take seriously. And we’re expanding that mission.

We’re continuing to grow our value-added agriculture. In the last year, we moved forward with the first, second, and third largest economic development projects in South Dakota history with Smithfield, CJ Schwan’s, and High Plains Processing in Mitchell. These three facilities will all play a big role in food production and value-added ag.

But our opportunities in national security stretch far beyond food security.

Ellsworth Air Force Base is getting ready for the B-21 bomber, which will play a major role in defending our nation for decades to come. Our cybersecurity sector is growing by leaps and bounds, driven by the strength of Dakota State University. Across our state, we’ve got businesses, workers, and leaders who are already contributing to this mission every single day.

South Dakota is already doing the mission. We have all the pieces. And now, we are bringing them together to seize this opportunity.

I’m proud to announce the creation of the South Dakota Defense Institute. This will be a central hub for our next big industry, a central point of contact for national defense contractors and contacts with the federal government, and a place where opportunities are identified, pursued, and followed through.

Our focus will be on understanding our strengths and where we have room to grow. We will build relationships with partners and agencies. The South Dakota Defense Institute will play a direct role in supporting businesses and strengthening collaboration between industry, education, and government.

We’re investing $6 million from the Future Fund to get it up and running over the next five years and investing in a building in Rapid City’s Innovation District. Our students, researchers, and industry leaders can work side by side to make a real difference, not only in South Dakota, but across America.

South Dakota is strong, safe, and free – and with the South Dakota Defense Institute, we will help keep America strong, safe, and free.

We’re not waiting around. We’re rolling up our sleeves and building something that matters.

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Rep. Curt Massie Announces Re-election Campaign for District 33 House

RAPID CITY, S.D. — State Representative Curt Massie announced today that he is seeking re-election to the South Dakota House of Representatives in District 33.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of District 33,” Massie said. “I am grateful for the trust they have placed in me and look forward to continuing to represent them in Pierre.”

Massie and his wife, an elementary school teacher, are lifelong South Dakotans who raised their family in the state and remain committed to its values. As a lifelong Republican, Massie has consistently supported conservative principles, including lower taxes, strong property rights, and responsible government.

During his time in office, Massie has prioritized tax relief and support for South Dakota businesses and landowners. In 2025, he sponsored and passed House Bill 1245, which provided tax relief for small businesses by exempting guaranteed payments from sales tax. He also passed Senate Bill 15, strengthening landowner representation by giving the Landowner and Outfitters Alliance, representing more than two million acres, a stronger voice on a state policy advisory committee.

This past legislative session, Massie brought Senate Bill 125 to the House floor to establish a homeowner tax reduction fund, ensuring property tax relief dollars are used exclusively for that purpose. The proposal originated from the Legislature’s Property Tax Summer Study and was designed to prevent those funds from being redirected to other uses. The framework of the bill was later incorporated into additional property tax relief measures passed this session.

Massie also worked closely with local first responders to address critical public safety needs. When the Meade County Sheriff’s Office, the Black Hawk Volunteer Fire Department, the Summerset Police Department, and other agencies raised concerns about serious radio communication problems, he went to work to find a solution.

Even when the Governor’s office initially said support would not happen because it was not inthe budget, Massie brought together the Governor’s office, state agencies, and fellow legislators to find a path forward, ultimately securing funding to address those communication problems and make District 33 safer.

That is the kind of leadership District 33 needs, and that is why it is so important to send Massie back to Pierre to keep working for you.

As a former state tax auditor, Massie brings extensive knowledge of South Dakota tax law. With the state assessing more than $36 million in unpaid taxes last fiscal year, primarily from large out-of-state companies, Massie pledges to work on solutions that ensure those companies better understand their tax obligations and pay the taxes they owe, so South Dakotans can pay less in taxes.

Massie is seeking his third term in the House and asks for your continued support and vote in the upcoming Republican primary election on June 2, 2026.

For more information, visit www.curtmassie.com or follow the campaign on Facebook.