Who that is, remains uncertain
By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise
District 25 will have a new senator representing us in the South Dakota Legislature next year, but who that will be remains to be seen.
Current senator Tom Pischke withdrew from the race this past week amid allegations of illegal election activity and two resulting felony charges. He has pleaded not guilty and has not resigned his Senate seat, which he may continue to hold through the end of his term in January, 2027.
As of Tuesday, independent candidate Bryan J. Breitling was the only name remaining in the race, leading to speculation the former state lawmaker might be on his way back to Pierre.
The South Dakota Republican Party however, likely will select a replacement for Pischke on the November ballot.
State law allows the party to replace a nominee who withdraws after the primary. Eligible Republican central committee members from the portions of Minnehaha and Moody counties within District 25 will reportedly meet Thursday to vote on a replacement.
Any registered Republican living in the district may be nominated. The selected candidate must be certified and submitted to the South Dakota Secretary of State by 5 p.m. Aug. 11.
That person would replace Pischke on the Republican ticket — not immediately in the Legislature.
Pischke was first elected to the South Dakota House in 2016 and moved to the Senate in 2023. During his 10 years in Pierre, he became known as an outspoken conservative focused largely on agriculture, property rights, parental rights and family law. He chaired the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and served as a Senate majority whip.
The charges involve 16 nominating petitions for Minnehaha County Republican precinct committee positions that prosecutors allege Pischke submitted without the knowledge of the people named on them. The charges remain allegations.
Breitling, originally from Hoven and a graduate of Roscoe High School, served 11 years in the U.S. Army National Guard. He earned a business degree from Northern State University and a master’s degree in health care administration from the University of Sioux Falls.
He previously represented District 23, which included the Miller area, from January 2021 to January 2025. Now a resident of Dell Rapids, he is seeking to return to the Legislature.
Who Breitling might face in November should be known Thursday night.