Republican Congressman Dusty Johnson has thrown his hat into a crowded primary for governor of South Dakota. Returning from D.C., he says to look towards his record as he returns home.
Johnson made an appearance at the change of command ceremony at Ellsworth Air Force Base and says his gameplan is taking shape ten months from the primary.
“Most of my time is spent working hard for South Dakota, I have a day job in the House, but clearly yes, I’m getting more questions about politics,” Johnson said.
Johnson was a yes vote on major pieces of President Trump-led legislation such as the recission package and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, though he says there is much to do before the end of the calendar year.
"We have the annual defense bill we need to take care of, otherwise platforms like the B-21 wouldn’t be ready to go," Johnson said. "We’ve got to get a Farm Bill done, it would be stupid to shut down the government at the end of the year so we need to pass appropriations packages. There is a lot going on.”
Those projects are made more challenging in D.C. by the thin margins between Democrats and Republicans and further complicated by the internal politics within Johnsons party.
“I know that we’re in a polarized time," Johnson said. "There’s always going to be those numbskulls that try to rip our country apart and have Congress fail. We need the big boys and the big girls to step up so we can get our work done.”
Declared opponents to Johnson in the Republican primary include Speaker of the State House Jon Hansen, the current president of pro-life organization Right to Life, and Toby Doeden, a business owner from Aberdeen who calls himself quote “one of President Trump’s fiercest supporters." Incumbent Gov. Larry Rhoden has not announced his plans.