Billionaire-Funded Super PAC Targets South Dakota GOP Runoff with Anti-Rhoden Campaign
A national group funded by billionaire Jeffrey Yass is seeking to influence the upcoming Republican gubernatorial runoff election in South Dakota. The School Freedom Fund, a super PAC that has received $15 million from Yass, has been sending political postcards to voters, criticizing Governor Larry Rhoden for his tax policies. These postcards, which do not mention education despite the PAC's name, label Rhoden as a 'big taxin’' politician, citing his legislative history. Rhoden, who signed three sales tax bills into law earlier this year, is facing Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden in the runoff. The winner will compete against Democratic nominee Dan Ahlers in the general election. The involvement of a billionaire-funded super PAC highlights the increasing influence of outside money in state elections. 
