The latest episode of the Dakota Town Hall podcast opened with one of the closest elections in recent South Dakota history, as hosts Murdoc and Jake Schoenbeck discussed the unresolved Sioux Falls mayoral race, where just two votes separate candidates Jamie Smith and Christine Erickson following last week’s election. The episode also featured Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun and Larry Rhoden campaign manager Ian Fury, covering topics ranging from America 250 celebrations to the Republican gubernatorial runoff.

The hosts noted that the razor-thin margin will trigger a formal review process that could take weeks to complete before Sioux Falls officially has its next mayor.

“It’s just we’re in double overtime in the mayor’s race in Sioux Falls,” Schoenbeck said, while Murdoc joked that the handful of voters who forgot to cast ballots were likely regretting it.

Salamun joined the program to discuss issues affecting Rapid City, including preparations for America’s 250th anniversary celebration. He said the city is planning one of the state’s largest Independence Day events, featuring concerts, a drone show and other downtown activities.

“We plan to be a premier destination, not just in the state, but in the entire nation to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary,” Salamun said.

The conversation also turned to the South Dakota Republican Convention, where Salamun criticized reports that credentialed media members had been denied access to portions of the event.

“The Republican Party should lead the way on things like free speech and media,” Salamun said, adding that smartphones make it nearly impossible to prevent speeches from becoming public.

The second half of the episode featured Rhoden campaign manager Ian Fury, who discussed the Republican gubernatorial runoff against Toby Doeden. Fury defended the campaign’s decision to forgo additional debates, saying voters have already had multiple opportunities to compare the candidates while emphasizing that turnout will be the deciding factor in the runoff election.

“We believe very strongly that the more people that vote, the better our chances are,” Fury said.

The episode concluded with discussion of former state Sen. Tom Pischke’s recent felony charges, races for Republican constitutional office nominations and other developments from the GOP convention in Rapid City.