The word this AM is that a few delegates have had Spencer Gosch reach out to them trying to get them to switch their vote in the AG race to Jon Hansen, who has not officially entered the contest.  I’m hearing it’s being worded as “if he were to get in…. would you consider…”

The whole concept of Hansen running to be South Dakota’s Chief Law Enforcement officer at this extremely late date is quixotic, especially given his record on law enforcement.  As the Doeden camp noted during the Gubernatorial election, Hansen’s record on crime ain’t so great.

The same anti-death penalty Jon Hansen who voted against the prison has people fishing around about him entering the AG Race? The same Jon Hansen who has less prosecutorial experience than ousted Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg did wants to be the chief law enforcement officer for the state?  I’d leave it to his colleagues to judge, but I don’t thing I’ve ever heard his legal acumen lauded either.

Why would we make this guy the state’s lawyer and top cop?  Hard pass.

We have three well-qualified candidates running right now. They deserve the opportunity to make their case to the convention.

Because yesterday was not nutty enough with Senator Tom Pischke facing felony election fraud charges, the Sioux Falls City Election said “hold my beer!” as the results whipsawed back and forth until only two votes separate front runner Christine Erickson and South Dakota Democrat Jamie Smith.

And from what I read, there are some provisional ballots (5?) yet to be counted.

Wednesday is going to prove nerve rattling to the candidates until those results are in. Then the recount will start.

In other Sioux Falls election news, Sara Pankonin emerged victorious over Michael Crane in Ward 2 City Council race, Zach DeBoer fell to Zak Okuwe who out-worked and out-polled him in Ward 5.

And in the at-large contest, James Oppenheimer dropped a bomb on Vince Danh, blowing him out on a 51-33% basis.

Keep reading, as I’ll have more notes on the Erickson/Smith contest as we hear more about those provisional ballots.

From a press release: 

Senator Tom Pischke Steps Back from Party Obligations Amid Pending Charges

Pischke temporarily relinquishes roles as Region 1 Director and Minnehaha County State Committeeman

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Republican Party announces that Senator Tom Pischke has agreed to step back from his party obligations as Region 1 Director and Minnehaha County State Committeeman in light of pending charges brought against him. This step back is effective immediately and will remain in place until the matter has been resolved.

“Because of the charges that have been brought against Senator Pischke, he has agreed to step back from his party obligations as Region 1 Director and Minnehaha County State Committeeman until this matter has been resolved,” said Jim Eschenbaum, Chairman of the South Dakota Republican Party.

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Pretty sure that the Minnehaha County GOP would be the ones to reinstate him. Or not. Since they’re the ones who selected him and all. But whatever.

From an expanded story on the Dakota Scout, Korry Petterson, the Minnehaha County GOP Chair has harsh words for Senator Tom Pischke if he is in fact determined to be guilty of the fraud against the electorate he is accused of:

Minnehaha County Republican Chairman Korry Petterson said if wrongdoing is proven to have occurred, it should not be tolerated and felony convictions would result in Pischke no longer being allowed to participate in official county party functions.

“I am deeply saddened that something like this has happened. If it turns out to be true, it’s my hope that he’s prosecuted to full extent,” he said. “We can’t have this kind of thing happening in our political system.”

Read the entire story here. 

South Dakota Public Broadcasting has an article on how Tom Pischke’s arrest for felony election fraud has filled the State Republican Party Chairman with disappointment:

“The only way it would be a problem at convention would be if he had been charged and decided he was still gonna go to convention and vote,” Eschenbaum explained. “We would’ve had a tough call to me. But he has voluntarily removed himself from that process, so. I guess it’s not an issue for convention at all.

and..

Eschenbaum said he’s disappointed to hear about the charges.

“Tom has been one of our most conservative voters. Just a stellar conservative vote record.” he said.

Read the entire story here.

There’s more people in this caucus than the freedom caucus of one ran by Phil Jensen.

Oops..

In case you wanted to read the Affidavit in support of the application for Tom Pischke’s arrest warrant, here you go! And it makes interesting reading considering the investigative work done to point the finger at Senator Pischke. In fact, they went so far as to gather DNA evidence.

2 counts of FILE FALSE OR FORGED INSTRUMENT 22-11-28.1.

This might be a tough arrest for Tom to beat.

Looks like Tom Pischke really stepped in at this time. I know he’s done dumb things in the past, but I think he might’ve topped himself this time as he finds himself charged with a felony:

On Monday, the Minnehaha County State’s Attorney’s Office issued an arrest warrant for state senator Thomas Pischke.

And..

According to the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, in late March, the sheriff’s office initiated an investigation into potentially fraudulent Republican Precinct Committeeman and Committeewoman statement forms submitted to the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office.

Read the story here on KELOland.

Does this mean he’s not on the State Republican Party executive board anymore?

There are stories everywhere on this, and the Dakota Scout has their own version:

A South Dakota lawmaker is accused of committing election fraud earlier this spring.

State Sen. Tom Pischke has been arrested on two felony charges following a monthlong investigation into a series of candidate filings suspected by election officials in Minnehaha County to be bogus. According to the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, the Dell Rapids legislator voluntarily turned himself into the Minnehaha County Jail Tuesday on two counts of Offering a False or Forged Instrument for Filing. He was booked and subsequently released on a personal recognizance bond.

Read that here.

Whoof! Election Fraud is not a good look for someone running for the State Senate.

As someone just noted to me, first Travis Ismay, now Tom Pischke. Lawmakers should not be law breakers.

Rounds Requests South Dakotans Submit Complaints with Postal Service

Office of the Inspector General is requesting first-hand accounts of poor mail service in South Dakota

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) is requesting that South Dakotans submit comments to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) detailing the issues they are having with the United States Postal Service (USPS). As part of their investigation in South Dakota at Rounds’ request, OIG is asking for first-hand accounts of poor mail service.

“My office continues to hear from South Dakotans on a daily basis about the issues they’re experiencing with mail delivery,” said Rounds. “At my request, the Office of the Inspector General has opened an investigation into South Dakota’s postal service. They are currently soliciting feedback from South Dakotans as a part of this investigation. I encourage anyone experiencing issues with their postal service to submit a comment to help paint a full picture of USPS problems in our state.”

OIG is taking comments from South Dakotans until July 26, 2026. Click HERE to submit feedback.

BACKGROUND:

Rounds has been a leader on USPS issues in South Dakota, leading the push to keep local processing facilities in South Dakota. In April 2024, Rounds sent a letter to USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy urging USPS to avoid downsizing or significantly reorganizing mail processing operations in South Dakota. As a result, in February 2025, USPS committed to keeping the Dakota Central processing facility in Huron open, as well as investing $3 million in improvements to the facility. Rounds also secured a commitment from former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to keep mail that originates within South Dakota from leaving the state for processing.

In September 2025, Rounds sent a letter to new Postmaster General David Steiner urging him to restore reliable mail service and requesting a meeting. Rounds and Steiner met in October. Steiner followed up on the meeting with a letter dismissing the issues raised by Rounds, claiming that the mail delays were caused by issues at processing facilities in Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City despite none of these facilities handling South Dakota’s intrastate mail. USPS leadership continues to deny any issues with South Dakota’s mail service despite the first-hand accounts from South Dakotans that say otherwise.

In December 2025, Rounds requested an investigation into persistent issues with USPS delivery in South Dakota. In April 2026, Rounds was notified that the Office of the Inspector General was on the ground in South Dakota to investigate mail service. In June 2026, Rounds sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs announcing his intention to place a hold on all USPS nominees until South Dakota’s issues are resolved.

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