Change Agents of SD, Sioux Falls, SD (2026)

09/04/2026

I have been thinking about giving lately.

The recent death of our local billionaire Denny Sanford helped me focus on it more.

People writing big checks we call philanthropists. A fancy word. Big check writers get names put on things. Statues sometimes included. I have been friends with several big givers. Some gave money. Some gave land. No statues included. (There are several parks along the river greenway with the names of folks who gave land. Al Norlin and family, Max Pasley, Tom and Mary Rerdon {Tomar} Don Dunham.

All big check writers and land donators should be respected.

There is other giving which I think is as important as check writing. The folks who do their day jobs and then put time and energy into lifting people up. The folks volunteering at the Banquet and other places which provide food to folks in need. The people mentoring students at our schools. The volunteer coaches helping children learn a sport and sportsmanship. A life skill. I am sure you can think of others.

These people deserve to be revered.

Our community honors these donors with appreciation dinners and give them plaques. Nice. The volunteers I know do it because of a deep commitment to making this a better place to live, not for any glory. Most are humble about their efforts. Get red faced with receiving applause and that plaque.
The word volunteer is not descriptive enough. I am not sure what is. Legacy builder, maybe. We need a word which sounds as important as philanthropist. We need buildings, parks, maybe a road or two which recalls those contributions, which are priceless and no doubt far exceed the generosity of the checks written by others.

One more comment about giving and legacies. John Morrell and company, the meat processor in Sioux Falls, did two things. Created jobs for thousands. They also gave countless dollars to build a better community. Add the hundreds of jobs that supported the plant and employees. Then and now.

A classic rock song has the lyric, “We built this city on rock and roll.” Ti would not be much of a stretch to say, “We bult this city on Meat Pac King.”

With dure respect to Denny Sanford and his gift helping make the Smithfield move possible, n my opinion the land on which the plant sat should be called the Morrell district, to remember the huge impact that site and the huge contributions the company and the employees made in building this city, this community to one of the best in the country. Proper plaques and maybe a statue of a man and woman meat processor would be appropriate.

Add to that the Sioux Falls Stockyards. Both morrells and the stockyards were huge economic engines not just here but for the survival and prosperity of rural folks a couple of hundred miles from here. At one time Morrells was one of the biggest employers in the state. For years the Stockyards one of the biggest in the country. Many years, the biggest.
We need to remember our roots.

The Independent Rick Knobe

09/01/2026

Greg LaFollette is a number cruncher. He is also a good thinker. This piece was published in the Dakota Schout recently. Greg has given me permission to post it here.

Turnout Matters. So Does Who Turns Out.

Matt Paulson has made a thoughtful case for moving Sioux Falls municipal elections to the November general election. As usual, his argument is careful, clearly laid out, and well reasoned.

Matt has contributed to this community in a lot of ways — as a business leader, investor, philanthropist and engaged citizen — and that record matters here, whether or not you land where he does. He's raised a question worth taking seriously.

His strongest points: moving the election to June didn't produce the turnout bump many expected. Pairing municipal races with partisan primaries may be shaping who shows up, not just how many. Local candidates are getting lost in a crowded field. And a July transition left our newly elected mayor almost no runway before she had to present her first city budget.

I'd add one more question to the pile: is maximizing turnout the same thing as maximizing meaningful participation in local government?

When I first looked at the numbers, what struck me was how close they were. On June 2, 38,735 valid votes were cast for mayor. Three weeks later, the runoff drew 36,558. That's a small enough gap to raise a real question: were we looking at largely the same voters coming back to finish the job, or two similarly sized electorates made up of different people?

Rather than guess, I pulled voter-participation histories from the county auditors and matched the two elections using the unique voter ID numbers in those records. These histories show only whether someone voted — never who they voted for.

They're not the certified returns, but they're good enough to measure overlap.

The files show just under 40,000 unique participants on June 2 and just over 36,000 in the runoff. Of those, 29,403 voted in both — meaning only about 74 percent of June 2 voters came back three weeks later.

More than 10,500 people voted on June 2 and didn't return. Nearly 6,700 others skipped the first election but showed up for the runoff.

So, the modest drop in the topline turnout number was hiding a much bigger reshuffling underneath it. Over 17,000 people voted in one election but not the other. Almost one in five runoff voters hadn't participated three weeks earlier.

There was a large, stable core of voters running through both elections — but the two electorates were far from identical.

That doesn't settle when Sioux Falls should hold its elections. If anything, it backs up part of Matt's case: combining a nonpartisan municipal race with a partisan primary may shape not just how many people vote, but which people do.

At the same time, the runoff tells us something encouraging. More than 36,000 people turned out for a stand-alone municipal election — no presidential, gubernatorial, or legislative race pulling them to the polls. They showed up specifically to help pick the next mayor of Sioux Falls.

That doesn't make them better voters, and it doesn't make November voters less engaged or less invested in the city. But there's real value in an election where municipal candidates and issues get the voters' full attention.

November elections will always draw more people. If the only goal is raising the number of ballots cast, November wins that argument easily.

Before Sioux Falls changes its election calendar again, we ought to be clear about what we're actually trying to accomplish.

If the goal is sheer volume — the biggest possible number of ballots — folding municipal races into the November general election is the obvious move.

But if we also care about the quality of attention local issues get, a stand-alone municipal election has a real advantage. It lets mayoral and City Council candidates be heard over the noise of presidential, congressional, statewide and legislative campaigns. It gives voters room to focus on what City Hall actually controls: streets, public safety, utilities, housing, parks, zoning, and development.

This isn't a fight between good voters and bad ones. It's a choice between maximizing the sheer amount of participation and creating the conditions for people to pay closer attention to local candidates and issues.

Matt has done this community a service by starting the conversation. What the voter records suggest is that the discussion shouldn't stop at how many people vote. It should also be about building an election where the people who do turn out can actually hear the candidates, understand the choices in front of them, and focus on where Sioux Falls goes from here.

gll

08/30/2026

Here is my view from the cheap seats:

Based on the primary and run-off Republican vote results,
about 30% of South Dakota Republicans are hyper MAGA. They support Trump and are in his cult/gang;

70% of Rs might be some level of MAGA;

Of that 70% I’m guessing at about half of them are
still regular Republicans. They support the policies of the party from 15 years ago. Not the current ones. They are struggling between “Party Loyalty” and good policy and common sense. None are speaking out publicly. It is quiet struggling.

Based on other states primary elections it is obvious that many Rs are NOT in lock step with MAGA.

I have no strong prediction on November election results. It is possible Brian Bengs will replace Mike Rounds in the U.S. Senate. The race is now tied. Mike has been making a lot of noise recently. The Republicans I associate with are not impressed. One asked, “Where has he been hiding the past 18 months?”

I have no strong sense on the U.S. House race. I do wonder if the picture of our Attorney General, the R candidate with Donald Trump both giving the “Thumbs Up” gesture will have an impact on the 50% of Regular Republicans. That picture shows strong Hyper MAGA loyalty.

Our current R Governor clobbered the Super MAGA candidate in the run-off election. 71 to 29%. However, the current Governor has publicly stated his support for Trump and has said former Governor Kristi Noem was a good governor. He is obviously MAGA. Not surprising party/cult/gang loyalty. Maybe bad reality politics.

I haven’t seen any polling, but the Non-Republican Candidate for Secretary of State, seems to be gathering good traction over his Trump/MAGA/cult/gang supporting opponent.

I have no sense on legislative races. I have visited with two Non-Republicans running in Districts in Sioux Falls. Smart people. Both young. Maybe a move towards Non-Republicans winning.

At the Minnehaha County Commission level, there are three Rs, a D, and an Independent seeking three seats. The D and Independent have both served on the Sioux Falls City Council. Goth have a good track record. Both well known. It will be interesting to see if R party/cult/gang loyalty retails.

That’s my view of the game from the cheap seats.

The game moves into the fourth quarter after Labor Day. Expect surprises and tricks. Maybe some skullduggery.

The Independent Rick Knobe

08/28/2026

November Election Endorsements from Change Agents of South Dakota. We are Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. Pretty evenly split in party representation.

Change Agents interviewed all the Minnehaha County Commission candidates. There are five members of the Commission. Three of those five seats are open. One incumbent is running for re-election. Two seats are “vacant” due to retirements.

We interviewed each of them. Here are our choices:
Kenny Anderson; Curt Soehl; Rick Bonander. Each of these men possess a deep knowledge of the duties of the job and the complex issues facing our county. There are different perspectives and different approaches to dealing with those issues. We like the diversity of ideas.

For Minnehaha County Auditor we are endorsing Curt Deedrich. Curt brings government management experience to the job. He is not a fan of hand counting ballots unless required by state law. He has managed complex government functions dealing with numbers. He knows elections are the most well-known function of the office. He also knows the auditing function is critical to keep track of our money.

We also interviewed both candidates for the State Public Utilities Commission. There are three members, elected statewide. One seat is open due to the retirement o a member. The Commission sets rates for the electricity and natural gas we use. They also approve electric power and pipeline routes. We are endorsing Frank Klouchek. Mr. Klouchek has two decades of experience in the South Dakota legislature. He is from rural South Dakota and understands the impact transmission towers and pipelines have on all of us. His passion for the consumer is strong.

It was educational and inspiring to visit with all the candidates. We endorsed the ones we feel are the best fit for the county and state.

Change Agents plan on making other endorsements. Hopefully before early voting starts.

The Independent Rick Knobe

08/23/2026

A great day!

Change Agents of SD held a Candidate Roundtable on Saturday August 22nd. The five candidates for the three seats on the Minnehaha County Commission attended. Also, the two candidates for Minnehaha County Auditor. A bonus was the presence of one of the candidates for South Dakota Secretary of State. The other candidate was unable to attend. We invited the two PUC candidates. Neither one could attend.

65 Minnehaha County residents did attend.

The Roundtable works like speed dating. The candidate has three minutes to introduce themselves, then the guests at the roundtable, usually 7, ask questions. The Q and A lasts about 12 minutes. A buzzer sounds. The candidate rises and moves to the next table. This continues until each candidate has been to every table. The process lasts about 2 hours. There is a coffee break in the middle.

This format is unique. To the best of my knowledge no other local group is using it.

Guests like it because they get real time with candidates. The candidates like it because they get asked a wide variety of questions and get real face time with voters. It’s a win for everybody.

We also had presentations on two of the four legislature created Constitutional Amendments. We focused on Amendment I, the roll back of a previously voter approved expansion of Medicaid, and Amendment L which takes away majority rule and replaces it with “The tyranny of the minority.” This is the third time the legislature has pushed this at us. The first two times failed by wide margins. They obviously don’t understand the word “NO.”

This is the third Roundtable event we have held. It will not be the last.

On behalf of Change Agents of SD,

The Independent Rick Knobe

08/19/2026

Some of you are going after the wrong person. The wrong group.

The goal of the Democrat and the Independent running for the U.S. Senate was about retiring Republican Mike Rounds/Trump.

Since the Democrat, Julian Beaudion, decided to step aside, the goal seems to have shifted from retiring Mike Rounds to going after, criticizing, attacking the other candidate, Independent Brian Bengs.

We know both men talked to each other. None of us know for certain who said what to whom. We know many Democrats encouraged Julian to step-aside. We know for certain that Julian pulled back. Bengs didn’t. You can’t change what happened.

Let’s go back to the beginning. The goal is to replace Mike Rounds/trump in the Senate.

Going after Bengs will ensure another six years of Rounds/Trump. Is that what you REALLY want? If so, you may need counselling for a martyr complex.

Not voting at all is a vote for Rounds/Trump.” Do it MY way or I stay home.” Is that what you REALLY want? If so, you may need counseling for anger management issues.

The Democrat party is outnumbered by nearly three to one in South Dakota. There are even more Independents/No party Affiliation registrations than Democrats. Democrats have not been able to win any statewide races in years. Not many Dems have won Legislative and County contests. Currently you are the party with least members.

I think putting aside your frustration about what happened and focusing on replacing ONE Republican at the statewide level would open the door for possible Dem wins in future races. Embrace the “art of the possible.

That’s a start. I hope Dems can see the big picture and take advantage of it.

The Independent Rick Knobe

I used the photos to draw you in😎

08/18/2026

CHANGE AGENT’S ENDORSEMENT OF BRIAN BENGS

Change Agents of South Dakota is a group of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.

We are endorsing Brian Bengs for U.S. Senate.

He reflects our organization's values of accountability, integrity, compassion, and good government. He speaks to South Dakotans across the political spectrum - Democrats, Republicans, Independents and people who are simply tired of party-first politics.

His message is practical: protect working families, support responsible agriculture and business, defend public education, and make government work for regular people again.

On taxes, Bengs understands that fairness matters, but that does not mean punishing success or pretending that government can tax its way out of every problem. It means supporting a system that gives working people and small businesses a fair shot.

Brian Bengs offers a grounded, common-sense approach rooted in service, accountability, and respect for all South Dakotans.

Bengs' education, extensive military background, other career and life experiences are a good fit for a U.S. Senator. We believe he is the right man for the job.

Change Agents of South Dakota

08/17/2026

He is losing his iron grip on Republican voters and some members of congress.

For the past 18 months Donald Trump, as the President, and leader of the Republican Party/Cult/Gang has ruled with an iron fist. Executive orders, brow beating Congress, using the Department of (IN) Justice to attack his enemies, and blasting court orders.

Some Republicans are wriggling free of that grip by speaking and voting. In some places Trump backed candidates are losing.

A few members of Congress are voting their conscience and common sense rather than “obeying orders.”

It’s a start.

We are about 90 days away from the Midterm elections. Early voting in South Dakota starts in mid-September.

I’m not expecting a HUGE Blue wave. I am expecting some ripples and maybe a rogue wave or two. It would be great if we sent two Non-Republicans to Washington, as our Congressperson and our Senator. It would be great if some Non-Republicans get elected to the Legislature and County Commissions.

In my circle of partisan friends there is discontent with one party rule in Pierre and the mayhem, chaos and lack of civility in Washington.

To them and you, this election please vote YOUR morals, your ethics, your conscience.

Toeing the “party line” is not working for us anymore.

The Independent Rick Knobe

08/14/2026

Last night I witnessed a miracle!

Actually, I heard it. A Republican said this out loud in a room with about 25 people in it.

“I was not a fan of Kristi Noem.”

He was not prompted to say it. He said it on his own as he was answering a question about election integrity. I checked this morning with two others who were in the room to verify what I heard. They did.

This is the first time I have heard ANY Republican criticize another Republican. And this guy is running for office, in South Dakota.

He has courage. Or he is crazy.

I would give you his name but based on how some Republicans operate these days, I fear he would be tarred and feathered and carried out of state on a rail.

This gentleman may get my vote. Didn’t think I would find a current “Republican” I would agree with.

There is hope.

The Independent Rick Knobe

08/12/2026

I, have been accused of “leaning left.”

My question is “leaning left” of what?

I support the Constitution. I support the role of Congress in governing. While I don’t agree with all the rulings of the Supreme Court, I support the role and responsibility they have under the Constitution. I support the Constitutionally approved role of the Presidency.

I do NOT support the lawlessness, the bullying, name calling, mocking, abuse of power, erasure of women and minorities from our history and our current governing. The obvious pandering to the super rich at the expense of the rest of us offends me. The huge increase in our debt is not what a Conservative should support. Yet he does.

Compared to the current President Donld Trump, I do “lean left.”.

I’m comfortable with that.

The Independent Rick Knobe

Change Agents of SD

09/04/2026

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