The latest episode of Dakota Town Hall looked back on the life and political legacy of former South Dakota legislator Lars Herseth while also examining the changing dynamics of state politics and the upcoming election cycle.

Hosts Jake Shoenbeck and Murdoc were joined by Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen and Dakota War College publisher Pat Powers. The episode opened with a discussion of Herseth, who died Sept. 12 at age 80. Herseth served in the South Dakota Legislature and was the Democratic nominee for governor in 1986. His father, Ralph Herseth, served as governor, while his mother, Lorna Herseth, later served as secretary of state.

Venhuizen walked through the family’s decades of involvement in South Dakota government, noting that Lars Herseth was elected to the Legislature at 28 and eventually became a legislative leader. Herseth faced George Mickelson in the 1986 governor’s race, an election featuring two candidates whose fathers had previously served as governor.

The conversation later shifted to the state’s current political environment, including recent legislative primary results and the role individual issues can play in those races. Venhuizen pointed to the unusually high number of incumbent lawmakers who have lost primary elections in recent cycles, describing the changes as largely tied to specific issues.

The panel also discussed the developing U.S. Senate campaign involving Sen. Mike Rounds and independent candidate Brian Bengs, including campaign criticism surrounding lobbying work performed by a Rounds employee. Powers said the employee had done state-level lobbying for Meta as a private citizen and said the arrangement had been reviewed for potential Senate ethics concerns.

Closer to Rapid City, Murdoc closed the episode by highlighting the Rapid City Area Schools’ proposed $107 million bond. The measure would fund HVAC, security and facility improvements, along with a new elementary school, and requires 60% voter approval.

“This town actually feels like it’s gonna give itself a win,” Murdoc said while discussing the proposal.