Letters to the Editor - Szwajlik: Here’s who’s funding the candidates

South Dakota Campaign Finance Disclosure Reports were due on May 18, 2026. I think voters need to be aware of who is funding our local candidates. I have summarized the reports here.

On the Senate side, David Kull received $15,150 from PACs, $3,550 from out-of-state donors, and $7,450 from in-state donors. John Sjaarda received $5,350 from PACs, $1,650 from out-of-state donors, and $10,585 from in-state donors.

On the House side, Dawn Hill received $10,575 from PACs, $2,889 from out-of-state donors, $3,005 from in-state donors, and she self-funded $1,046. Brandon Lane received $4,850 from PACs, $600 from out-of-state donors, $8,035 from in-state donors, and he self-funded $0. Adam Long received $800 from PACs, $3,200 from out-of-state donors, $13,080 from in-state donors, and he self-funded $0. Manuel Luschas received $0 from PACs, $0 from out-of-state donors, $0 from in-state donors, and he self-funded $14,363.

In addition, I have received several mailers from a PAC called South Dakota Republican Forward promoting candidates Kull, Hill and Lane. This PAC disclosed that 97% of their income was a $675,000 donation from a federal PAC based in Alabama. 

All of this information is from the South Dakota State Campaign Finance Disclosure Reports on the Secretary of State website, filed on May 18, 2026.

Sincerely submitted,

Caroline Szwajlik

Brandon