A Republican state legislator from Madison filed his statement of candidacy Wednesday to run for South Dakotas lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Casey Crabtree is the second Republican to take a formal step toward running, after Attorney General Marty Jackley. Current Republican U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson is running for governor next year.
Crabtree, 42, who currently serves in the state Senate, submitted paperwork to the Federal Election Commission. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but did share his interest in a statement issued last week.
Im thankful for Dustys work in Congress supporting South Dakota and Trumps America First agenda, he said at the time. South Dakota has had giants like John Thune, Kristi Noem, and Dusty Johnson represent us in the U.S. House, and those are big shoes to fill. My family and I have received a lot of encouragement across the state to consider a bid for this open seat. I am strongly considering this opportunity and we will look at this as a family through prayer and serious conversations.
Jackley announced his campaign last month, the same day Johnson publicly scheduled his announcement for governor. Jackley has since filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Crabtree works as an economic development director for Heartland Energy in Madison, and served as state Senate majority leader during the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions.
The Republican primary election is in June 2026, with the statewide general election to follow in November 2026.
Besides Crabtree and Jackley, James Bialota, who describes himself as a small-business owner and real estate investor, has said on Facebook that he plans to run as a Republican for the U.S. House.
A Democrat named Scott Schlagel has also filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run for the House seat.
Rhoden fills Huron-area state Senate seat
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden announced the appointment Thursday of a state senator to fill an empty seat in a legislative district that includes the cities of Huron and Redfield.
The appointee is Brandon Wipf, a Republican from Lake Byron.
Brandon Wipf has a keen understanding of our property tax system and reflects South Dakotas strong values, Rhoden said in a news release. As a dedicated farmer and ag advocate, he is equipped with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our number one industry. I have no doubt that he will serve our state with excellence.
Rhodens office described Wipf as a farmer in southern Spink County who serves on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Ag Advisory Council and is a director for the American Soybean Association. He graduated as the valedictorian from James Valley Christian School in 2004 and obtained a bachelors degree in electrical engineering from Dordt University in Iowa.
Im incredibly honored and grateful for the trust the governor has placed in me, Wipf said in the release.
I will work hard to earn that same trust from the people of District 22.
Wipf succeeds David Wheeler, a Republican and lawyer who resigned his state Senate seat in April to accept an appointment as a circuit court judge.
District 22 includes land in Beadle, Clark and Spink counties.
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