Mike Rounds

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Republican contenders for South Dakota’s top state and federal offices are attempting to drum up turnout in the home stretch of the midterms.

GOP candidates Larry Rhoden, Mike Rounds and Marty Jackley met with supporters and voters Tuesday, Oct. 26 at the Hotel Alex Johnson ballroom as part of a 12-city “Get Out the Vote” bus tour across South Dakota.

Rhoden, who is currently governor, is running to keep his position; Rounds is seeking a third term in the U.S. Senate; and Jackley aims to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson on Capitol Hill.

Dan Ahlers, former state lawmaker and current South Dakota Democratic Party executive director, is Rhoden’s opponent in the general election; Independent Senate candidate Brian Bengs, a retired Navy Lt. Colonel, is challenging Rounds; and Nikki Gronli, former state director of U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, is opposing Jackley.

Rapid City was the second stop on the tour.

Rhoden said the idea of a joint bus tour operated as a way to show a united Republican front.

“When it was brought to me the idea of us going on a bus tour, the three of us, together, it really had a lot of appeal, because I’m looking at this like the three people up here represent a team,” Rhoden said.

The candidates said potential voters are telling them about some of the state’s top needs. Concerns include the cost of living, the cost of fuel and the cost of doing business.

But Rhoden said those costs are “out of our control.”

“What is in our control is some of the costs, like property taxes. For the last several years, that’s been huge on people’s radar,” Rhoden said.

Jackley and Rounds said Congress has levers that can ease the financial burden on South Dakotans.

Rounds said he supports a voluntary, nationwide move to E-15.

“If we can go to E-15 across the board on a voluntary basis throughout the United States, that No. 1 helps on corn prices, it brings the price of corn up for our producers, but second of all, it could reduce gasoline prices as much as 30 cents a gallon,” Rounds said.

Jackley said he is focused on healthcare.

“Everybody in South Dakota has seen their premiums go up and their deductibles go up. It’s an opportunity, again, to get back to the free market, and government hasn’t done a good job with health care,” Jackley said.

The joint bus tour continues through Thursday, with stops in Pierre, Mitchell and Sioux Falls this week.

According to a joint press release from the Republican campaigns, the general public and media are welcome to attend all bus tour stops. The bus tour itinerary is as follows:

Election Day is Nov. 3. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m local time.

Voters should bring an acceptable photo ID, such as a South Dakota driver license, nondriver ID, qualifying government or tribal ID, or eligible South Dakota school ID. Those without an acceptable ID can still cast a regular ballot by signing a personal identification affidavit.

People voting absentee are also encouraged to check their ballot status and allow enough time for their ballot to be returned.

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