A defeated South Dakota legislative candidate has been charged with sexual assault.
Thirty-seven-year-old Bud May of Kyle was arrested Sunday for second-degree rape, according to a criminal complaint filed in Pennington County Court.
That’s a felony punishable by up to 50 years in prison.
May’s defense attorney declined to comment on the case.
May ran as a Republican for one of two House seats in District 27. That includes several western counties and the Pine Ridge Reservation. He finished in last place with 22% of the vote.
This is the second sexual misconduct case to arise against a 2022 legislative candidate. Republican Joel Koskan of Wood is charged with exposing a minor to sexual grooming behaviors. He ran for state Senate and was defeated.