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Below is a transcript of today's podcast:
With SDPB News, I'm Julia Stelter in Sioux Falls. Today is Wednesday July 29; here are today's stories.
Republican voters have selected incumbent Governor Larry Rhoden to represent the party in the November general election.
Jackie Hendry has more.
Eight minutes after polls closed in the western half of the state, the Associated Press called the race for Larry Rhoden. About an hour later, large projector screens displayed the results to the crowd in the Canopy hotel ballroom.
[cheers]
In his speech, Rhoden credited his family and his faith for seeing him through a lengthy primary campaign.
“You know there were times when I really felt like the good Lord was trying to teach me something. There were times all I had to rely on was the scripture, ‘You walk by faith and not by sight.’ And that’s what we did.”
Rhoden tells the crowd his opponent, Toby Doeden, called to concede and offered his support in November’s general election.
Only registered Republicans could vote in this primary election. News reports show a surge of voters registered Republican in the weeks leading up to the historic runoff, including many who changed their party affiliation to participate in the primary.
Rhoden shares his message for those newly registered Republicans.
“We want everybody on board. I’ve said, my message has been openness, responsiveness, and civility. And I’ll always be a staunch conservative. My colors will never change, but it doesn’t mean we can’t build relationships and bring people together.”
However, some Rhoden opponents are concerned by non-Republicans changing their registration to support him. Rhoden doesn’t share those concerns.
“Those waters’ll calm. We had a very unique set of circumstances with a special election and a very unique set of characters that were a part of it. I think that’ll calm down and we’ll be past that in a few months if not weeks.”
Governor Rhoden faces Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Ahlers in November’s general election.
I’m SDPB’s Jackie Hendry in Sioux Falls.
Voter turnout in the GOP gubernatorial primary runoff came in at over 35 percent.
It’s difficult to provide much historical context on this number. That’s because this was the first-ever statewide runoff election in South Dakota history.
As there were no other races on the ballot, only registered Republicans are factored into the turnout.
Turnout for the June primary was a touch lower at 34 percent. But that’s not a fair comparison – the June primary included more than just Republicans. In fact, that 34 percent was historically high for a primary.
Authorities say one person drowned at a popular swimming spot in the Black Hills.
The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office confirms the victim drowned at Hippie Hole Tuesday morning.
That’s a well-known but hard-to-access swimming area near Keystone. It’s also known for its cliff jumping spots.
Authorities say the victim was visiting the Black Hills from out of the area.
Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden’s attempt to capture the support of South Dakota Republicans for the state’s highest seat falls short.
Jackson Dircks reports.
Despite capturing the highest vote total in the June 2 primary…Doeden failed to end the state’s first-ever gubernatorial runoff on top. The runoff is a result of no candidate receiving 35% of the vote in the primary.
Rhoden ended up more than doubling Doeden’s vote total in Tuesday’s election. Despite the loss – Doeden supporters never wavered in their support.
[chants]
That includes Scott Klinkel. He says he hopes the Doeden movement lets Pierre know that “every penny” taxpayers give to the state is used “appropriately.”
“I mean South Dakota isn’t messed up, but a lot of things need to change. But there are some things that we need to change, and a lot of it is common sense stuff: to make sure that our tax dollars are being appropriated properly and not being abused.”
As for Doeden, he’s happy he gave “the people a voice.”
“Listen it takes a lot of people to serve in different capacities in a state like South Dakota. There can only be one governor, but we need people all over the state giving the people of this state a voice. And that’s what I did: I traveled the state; I did 200 bus stop events; I shook tens of thousands of hands; I was asked and answered more than 20,000 open-ended questions, and I found out what the people are struggling with and I gave them a voice. That will continue.”
He says that includes things like making the state more affordable for residents. Doeden threw his support behind Rhoden in November’s election.
As for what’s next for Doeden…
“What’s next for me is I’m going to go home and Netflix and chill [applause]…I haven’t got to watch TV in 15 months. I am so far behind on Land Man, you can’t imagine. So that’s what I’m going to do tonight.”
Rhoden faces Democrat Dan Ahlers in the November election. In Aberdeen, I’m SDPB’s Jackson Dircks.
Attorney General Marty Jackley is urging the federal government to strengthen rules to prevent scammers from using the U.S. communications network to make illegal robocalls.
Earlier in July, Jackley sent a letter with several other attorneys general asking the FCC to cut off scammers’ access to phone numbers.
The current rules require phone companies to know who is making calls through their networks and what their business is. This means they can suspend unlawful calls or decline businesses on their networks.
On top of this, Jackley is urging the FCC to hold every business to a universal standard and collect additional background information on customers.
South Dakota U.S. Senator Mike Rounds is proposing new legislation he says could strengthen national security through quantum science.
Last month, the Trump Administration released an executive order directing the government to prioritize quantum information science technology.
The proposed National Quantum Readiness Act directs the Department of War and the Secretary of Defense to develop projects using quantum science and increase domestic access to it.
Rounds says quantum technologies are critical to the future of war fighting and strengthening defense systems. He’s partnering with Senator Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut on the legislation.
A South Dakota lawmaker facing charges for violating election laws is withdrawing his candidacy for reelection.
Tom Pischke is a Republican state Senator from Dell Rapids representing District 25. He sought reelection, but the state Secretary of State’s website says he withdrew on Tuesday (July 28).
Earlier this summer, Pischke was accused of submitting 16 forged precinct committee member statements. He pleaded not guilty to two felony charges.
In a statement, Pischke says while prides himself on conducting transparent campaigns, he would not be able to this election due to the pending lawsuit.
With Pischke out, the District 25 Senate race now has only one candidate – Independent Bryan Breitling.
State law says the Republican party has until August 11th to replace Pischke with a new candidate.
And that's your daily news update. Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram at "SDPB News," and visit "SDPB.org/news" to stay up to date on our journalism as it comes in. As always, thank you for listening.