Rhoden Campaign Demands Stations Pull “False and Misleading” PAC Ad
- Steve Jurrens
- May 8
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - The Rhoden for Governor campaign has issued a formal cease‑and‑desist letter to broadcast stations across South Dakota, demanding the immediate removal of a political advertisement aired by the Rushmore Principles PAC, which is supporting Dusty Johnson’s gubernatorial bid.
In the letter, Campaign Manager Ian Fury asserts that the ad contains “multiple false and materially misleading statements” about Governor Larry Rhoden’s legislative record, specifically regarding tax and fee increases.
The campaign disputes the ad’s claim that Rhoden “increased the gas tax,” noting that the last two gas‑tax increases occurred in 1999 and 2015, years in which Rhoden was not serving in either the legislative or executive branch. The letter cites state legislative records indicating that Rhoden did not vote on those measures.
The campaign also challenges the ad’s assertion that Rhoden raised fees on concealed‑carry permits. According to the letter, all concealed carry permit fees were eliminated in 2022 under the Noem-Rhoden administration. The campaign further notes that the first bill signed by Governor Kristi Noem was constitutional carry, which made a permit unnecessary for lawful concealed carry in South Dakota. Rhoden, then serving as Lieutenant Governor, stood alongside Noem at the signing.
While in the Legislature, Rhoden sponsored legislation establishing an enhanced carry permit, but the campaign emphasizes that this created a new option rather than increasing an existing fee.
“Governor Rhoden has cut taxes his entire career. He eliminated the Trucker’s Tax, he fixed property taxes for ag, and this year, he delivered the largest property tax cut in South Dakota history,” Fury said. “If an opponent would so willingly lie to gain a political advantage, then that individual does not possess the integrity necessary to serve the people of South Dakota.”
The campaign says it has notified the Federal Communications Commission and all stations airing the ad. “If this false advertising is not pulled down, we will pursue further action,” Fury said.
The full cease‑and‑desist letter, including supporting documentation, was provided to broadcasters and copied to FCC officials.
