Frank Kloucek’s Conservative Values Clash With Don Haggar’s Cronyism; Kloucek Endorses Conservative Clint Hoyer

Michael Vogt | Opinion | Oct. 30

Republicans are struggling all across the nation in the 2026 General Election, as evidenced by recent poll numbers, but in South Dakota we’ve seen some especially competitive races play out. Monae Johnson, sitting Republican Secretary of State, endorsed Democrat Terrence Davis to replace her instead of Republican Heather Baxter. We saw an extended primary where incumbent Governor Larry Rhoden took down populist conservative Toby Doeden. Brian Bengs, an Independent, is running a tight race against establishment Republican Mike Rounds.

But possibly the most interesting of them all is the Public Utilities Commissioner race, where conservative Democrat Frank Kloucek if facing off against moderate Republican Don Haggar.

Don Haggar, a former 5-year legislator from Sioux Falls and Americans for Prosperity Director/lobbyist, has been criticized by Kloucek and conservative Republicans for his friendly connections to data centers and CO2 pipelines. When Kloucek proposed a one-year moratorium to study the impacts of data centers on utility prices, Haggar called the idea “reckless and pandering.”

Haggar has also received large donations from proponents of the Summitt Carbon Pipeline and data centers, such as well-known neo-conservative lobbyist and consultant Jason Glodt. Glodt and his 605 VICTORY PAC account for roughly 9.25% of Haggar’s total general election contributions, per the SD Secretary of State. Glodt lobbied for SB 201 in 2024, the bill that would have weakened South Dakotan’s property rights when trying to deny carbon pipelines from crossing their property. Glodt is/was also a registered lobbyist for Meta, which owns or operates a significant amount of data centers. Glodt’s staunch support for Haggar suggests a significant belief on Glodt’s part that Haggar will be an ally in any fight for corporations in South Dakota.

Kloucek, on the other hand, has made his positions on data centers, energy prices, and cronyism very clear. The former 22-year state legislator and farmer from Scotland, SD has called for a one-year moratorium on data centers, and has called the carbon pipeline “one of the most unethical things the industry has ever done.” He also stated in an interview with the Bialota Network that the merger between Northwest Energy and Black Hills Power and Light is one of his main concerns because of its possible effect on consumers. He also cited that, among the voters he had talked to on the campaign trail, only 10% knew about the merger, which Kloucek called a significant transparency issue on the PUC’s part.

In the interview, Kloucek also stated that corruption in South Dakota State government was a large concern of his. “We’re rated number two, James, in corruption. Did you know that? State government was rated number two last year. Now, we’re rated number three with this new Governor . . . We’ve got to do better. We’ve got to be more honest. We’ve got to have more transparency, more open government. Less corruption. Less ‘me,’ more ‘we.’”

“Less ‘me,’ more ‘we’” has been one of Kloucek’s campaign slogan as he travels the state. His campaign and this slogan are strongly indicative of populist ideals that have recently gained traction in Republican elections, and is meant to point out the vast corruption taking place in State government.

Kloucek has the support of many conservative Republicans across the state, such as Yankton Senator Lauren Nelson, Republican Legislative Candidate Manuel Luschas, Mitchell conservative blogger Steve Sibson, and former Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Lora Hubbel. These are rare cross-party endorsements that rarely happen from the majority to minority party in a heavily Republican state like South Dakota. In the Bialota Network interview, Kloucek described himself as a conservative, and stated that he would have switched over to the Republican party several times if it weren’t for the corruption he’d seen.

Frank has also shown an ability and willingness to work across party lines, not just collect endorsements. Kloucek recently endorsed Clint Hoyer, a Republican running as an Independent against SB 201 sponsor Casey Crabtree. Kloucek stated “I do endorse Clint Hoyer over Casey Crabtree . . . I’ll do whatever it takes . . . I’ve delt with Casey Crabtree on energy issues, and it’s disgusting. Casey Crabtree should not be in public office.” Hoyer, a conservative Independent, has also received endorsements from politicians in both parties, including that of Lora Hubbel.

If this were a non-partisan race, Kloucek would likely be viewed by the public as the more conservative of the two options, as Haggar is viewed as an undesirable Commissioner by conservative property rights fighters, including some of the groups that fought SB 201 in 2024. Between cross-party endorsements and Republicans slipping in the polls, this will undoubtedly be one of the most interesting South Dakotan races to watch.

Check the Bialota Network webpage for election result coverage and analysis on November 3^rd and 4^th.