By: Joshua Haiar
MADISON, S.D. (South Dakota Searchlight) – A Republican state legislator from Madison filed his statement of candidacy Wednesday to run for South Dakota’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Casey Crabtree is the second Republican to take a formal step toward running, after Attorney General Marty Jackley. Current Republican U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson is running for governor next year.
Crabtree, 42, who currently serves in the state Senate, submitted paperwork to the Federal Election Commission. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but did share his interest in a statement issued last week.
“I’m thankful for Dusty’s work in Congress supporting South Dakota and Trump’s America First agenda,” he said at the time. “South Dakota has had giants like John Thune, Kristi Noem, and Dusty Johnson represent us in the U.S. House, and those are big shoes to fill. My family and I have received a lot of encouragement across the state to consider a bid for this open seat. I am strongly considering this opportunity and we will look at this as a family through prayer and serious conversations.”
Jackley announced his campaign last month, the same day Johnson publicly scheduled his announcement for governor. Jackley has since filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Crabtree works as an economic development director for Heartland Energy in Madison, and served as state Senate majority leader during the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions.
The Republican primary election is in June 2026, with the statewide general election to follow in November 2026.
Besides Crabtree and Jackley, James Bialota, who describes himself as a small business owner and real estate investor, has said on Facebook that he plans to run as a Republican for the U.S. House.
A Democrat named Scott Schlagel has also filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run for the House seat.
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