All episodes

54 min

Runoffs, Rankings, and the Long Game

Back again! This week on the show, the guys welcome Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Julian Beaudion for a wide-ranging conversation on his challenge to Senator Mike Rounds, the state of Democratic politics in South Dakota, education policy, Social Security, data centers, tribal consultation, and whether there’s an opening for a different kind of leadership in Washington. We get into voter frustration, campaign strategy, and what it takes to compete statewide in one of the reddest states in the country.Plus, government reform advocate Joe Kirby returns to make the case for ranked-choice voting, open primaries, and ending expensive runoff elections. The...

61 min

Runoffs, Rumors, and Republican Rifts

Back again! The election cycle refuses to die, and neither do the political fireworks. This week Matt Paulson and District 15 Rep. Eric Muckey join the show to break down the Sioux Falls mayoral runoff, city council battles, and the increasingly blurry line between "nonpartisan" elections and partisan reality. We get into turnout predictions, endorsement drama, dark money accusations, and why Sioux Falls voters are heading back to the polls again. Plus, the crew debates whether anybody actually knows who their city councilor is and what that means for local politics.We also dive headfirst into the Republican gubernatorial runoff between...

56 min

Runoffs, Rebounds, and Political Plot Twists

Back again! The votes are in, the dust is settling, and South Dakota politics just delivered one of the biggest surprises in recent memory. Jake is joined by Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen, Nathan Sanderson, and SD News Watch’s Alexander Rifaat to break down Toby Doeden’s unexpected first place finish, Dusty Johnson’s exit, and the July 28 gubernatorial runoff that now pits Doeden against Governor Larry Rhoden. We get into what happened on election night, where the polls got it right, where they missed, and why turnout may decide everything from here.Plus, we dive deep into the legislative shakeups that could...

58 min

Election Calcutta

Back again! With primary day just around the corner, the Dakota Town Hall crew gathers a heavyweight panel featuring Jonathan Ellis, Patrick Lally, Pat Powers, and Ryan Budmayr to break down the final sprint in South Dakota’s governor’s race. We get into Toby Doden’s headline-grabbing mailers, the fallout from candidates pushing back on unauthorized endorsements, Tamara Grove’s residency controversy, and the campaign strategies shaping the final days before voters head to the polls. Plus, a deep dive into whether ground game still beats money, media, and Facebook warriors in modern South Dakota politics.We also hit the best and worst campaign...

54 min

Special Episode: Gubernatorial Chats

The election is on June 2nd, if you haven't been near a mailbox. (Apologies for not having the full slate. If 90 percent of success is showing up, I'm just happy there's someone standing up for the other 10. -doc) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

60 min

God, Governors, and Rhino Revenge

Back again! This week on the show the primary chaos somehow gets even louder as the governor’s race heats up, attack ads flood every screen in South Dakota, and the Dakota Town Hall gubernatorial extravaganza starts taking shape. We get into the most expensive primary in state history, the war over “Rhinos,” AI-generated campaign ads, property tax politics, and why voter fatigue might be the biggest wildcard on the ballot. Plus, the crew breaks down the bizarre rise of buzzword politics, the anti-data center backlash, and whether South Dakota Republicans have completely lost the plot.We also welcome first-time candidate Kathleen...

66 min

Hippo Task Force

Back again! This week on the show, the campaign trail is heating up and the candidate forums are stacking up faster than yard signs in a South Dakota windstorm. We get into the governor’s race chaos, the “Rhino Revenge Tour,” Toby Doeden vs. John Hansen intrigue, and the growing wave of AI-generated political attacks flooding social media. Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen joins the show to talk debates, life as a running mate already tied to the ballot, and what it’s like balancing official duties with campaign season pressure. Plus, Senator Michael Rohl delivers one of the most brutally honest breakdowns...

59 min

Rhinos, Rumors, and Rural Revolts

Back again! This week on the show the Dakota Town Hall crew heads northeast and northwest with Senate candidates Katie Washnock and Ryan Maher, plus ballot champion Nathan Sanderson. We get into collapsing voter turnout, the Republican civil war tearing through Brown County, and why campaigns are suddenly fighting over data centers, power grids, and property taxes all at once. Plus, a deep dive into what’s actually headed for the statewide ballot, why Pierre can’t stop tinkering with the constitution, and whether South Dakota voters are about to get hit with another round of ballot measure chaos.Then things get weird....

60 min

Debates, Taxes, and Hippo Diplomacy

Back again! Fresh off the Sioux Falls gubernatorial debate, we break down what actually mattered and what was pure campaign theater. Patrick Lalley joins the show to pull back the curtain on the production, the strategy, and the moments that will actually move voters. We get into Dusty’s polish, Hansen’s messaging, Rhoden’s presence, and whether Toby Doeden’s playbook is already locked in. Plus, the bigger question: are these debates about persuasion anymore, or just fuel for the next round of campaign clips?Then we dive straight into the property tax fight that just won’t die, including a new referendum push that...

56 min

Poll Position

Back again! This week on the show, Jake and Murdoc dive straight into the poll everyone in South Dakota is talking about. Dan Ahlers joins fresh off locking up the Democratic nomination for governor and makes his case on property taxes, affordable housing, healthcare, and why he thinks 50 years of one-party rule has run its course. Plus, Alex Rifaat from South Dakota News Watch breaks down the newest GOP governor numbers, why Dusty Johnson keeps climbing, how John Hansen suddenly surged into second, and what it means for Larry Rhoden, Toby Doeden, and the rest of the field.We also...