A webpage purporting to be from “South Dakota Tax Watch,” a “policy watchdog organization,” is paid for and approved by Dakota First Action, a political action committee that was founded by Republican governor candidate Toby Doeden. (Screenshot by South Dakota Searchlight)
PIERRE, S.D. (South Dakota Searchlight) – Republican voters in South Dakota recently received text messages directing them to “the official Republican Voter Guide for the upcoming election,” with a link to a webpage that purports to be from “a policy watchdog organization” providing information about where each candidate for governor “stands on taxes, spending and South Dakota’s future.”
In reality, the text messages and the webpage are products of a political action committee founded and partially funded by one of the four candidates for the Republican nomination for governor: Toby Doeden, a businessman from Aberdeen.
The webpage, which provides negative information about Doeden’s three opponents and positive information about him, appears to be a product of “South Dakota Tax Watch.”
“South Dakota Tax Watch is a policy watchdog organization committed to sharing factual information about candidates’ voting history on taxes and spending,” the webpage says.
But South Dakota Tax Watch does not show up as a corporation, nonprofit or political action committee in public listings maintained by South Dakota’s secretary of state.
A small disclaimer at the bottom of the South Dakota Tax Watch webpage identifies Dakota First Action as the page’s funder and approver. Dakota First Action is a political action committee that was formed in 2024 with Doeden as its chairman. Subsequent campaign finance reports showed the committee owed Doeden more than $200,000 for loans it received from him.
In July, two months after Doeden had announced his candidacy, the committee filed new paperwork listing Republican former state lawmaker Drew Dennert as chairman.
The Dakota First Action website also features Doeden as its founder.
South Dakota Searchlight asked Doeden for comment. He responded with a written statement.
“I have had ZERO association with DFA, or any other political organization since long before I made the decision to run for office,” Doeden wrote. “I am laser-focused on my campaign and my message. When I have something to say, I say it loud and proud from my own campaign. I don’t masquerade behind these PACs like my opponents.”
Dennert also provided a written statement on behalf of Dakota First Action.
“Obviously, lowering taxes for South Dakota residents is one of our top priorities,” he said, in part. “With such an important election taking place, it is important for voters to understand each of the candidates’ positions and history as it relates to taxes and spending.”
The other candidates for the Republican nomination for governor are Gov. Larry Rhoden, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson and state House Speaker Jon Hansen. The primary election is June 2, and early voting is underway.
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