Former GOP governor, Democratic nominee backing bid to oust Republican senator
Pischke faces intra-party challenger; independent in South Dakota legislative race backed by former governor, past GOP leader, Democratic Party's 2026 pick
A past Republican governor and the top of this year’s Democratic ticket are standing between a far-right state lawmaker and another term in the South Dakota Legislature.
Former District 23 state Sen. Bryan Breitling is mounting a return to the Capitol — this time in District 25 — where he is challenging fellow Republican and incumbent Sen. Tom Pischke for the seat he hopes to reclaim.
But what sets the race apart isn’t just that Breitling, who now lives in rural Dell Rapids after moving from Miller in 2022, is running as an independent against a member of his own party. It’s who is helping him do it.
