South Dakota state senator facing election-related criminal charges ends his reelection campaign

Republican South Dakota state Sen. Tom Pischke, of Dell Rapids, ended his reelection campaign Tuesday as he continues to face felony charges for allegedly filing false or forged election-related documents.

“I have always prided myself on conducting campaigns with complete transparency on every issue,” said a portion of a statement Pischke sent in response to South Dakota Searchlight questions. “Unfortunately,” he added while citing the pending criminal charges, “I would not have been able to maintain that standard during the upcoming November election.”

Pischke’s withdrawal comes more than a month after prosecutors charged him with two felony counts alleging he submitted 16 candidate petitions for Minnehaha County Republican precinct committee positions without the candidates’ knowledge. 

Dell Rapids Republican lawmaker may get plea deal in election fraud case

The prosecution is playing out amid a long-running struggle over leadership of the county party. Obtaining a meeting quorum requires the presence of 20% of voting members, and filling more positions could make it more difficult for the county party’s leaders to obtain a quorum and conduct official business.

Pischke has pleaded not guilty, and lawyers involved in the case have said a plea deal is possible.

Pischke’s withdrawal leaves Republicans searching for a replacement candidate ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. Republican county party central committee members who reside in his district have until Aug. 11 to make a selection.

Bryan Breitling, an independent from Dell Rapids, is the only other candidate on the ballot for the District 25 Senate seat. The district includes Moody County and part of Minnehaha County. 

“It has been an incredible honor to represent the wonderful people of District 25 over the past 10 years, and I look forward to whatever God has planned for me next,” Pischke said in his statement.

Another South Dakota legislator, Rep. Travis Ismay, R-Newell, is facing a felony charge for allegedly causing intentional damage to a public road. He is scheduled for a court appearance this week in Butte County.