Dell Rapids Republican lawmaker may get plea deal in election fraud case
SIOUX FALLS – A plea deal is in the works for a Republican state senator from Dell Rapids facing felony charges related to attempted election fraud.
Tom Pischke, 44, was charged with two felony counts for allegedly filing documents to get candidates for county party positions on the June 2 primary ballot without those candidates’ knowledge. He pleaded not guilty during an initial appearance Tuesday. Each count carries up to two years in prison.
The senator was in the courtroom with his lawyer, Ryan Kolbeck, who requested and was granted a preliminary hearing date for Pischke from magistrate Judge Andrew Robertson.
Defendants charged with felonies in South Dakota are entitled to preliminary hearings upon request, at which prosecutors must present enough evidence to justify the pursuit of charges.
https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2026/07/07/dell-rapids-republican-lawmaker-may-get-plea-deal-in-election-fraud-case/