Already, Two Candidates for Governor in 2018

With almost two years to go before the election, but before changes in state campaign finance laws take effect, it looks like we already have two gubernatorial candidates.

From the Sioux Falls Argus Leader:

Rep. Kristi Noem will not seek a fifth term to the U.S. House in 2018, she announced Monday, and will instead make a bid to become the first female governor in South Dakota history.

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Although she didn’t say it, Noem’s decision to run for governor was forced by a ballot issue that voters approved last week. Initiated Measure 22, which becomes law on Wednesday, contains a provision barring candidates for governor from collecting more than $4,000 a year from any person or political committee.

Once effective, the language would mean that Noem couldn’t transfer more than $4,000 from her congressional campaign account to an account for a governor’s run. Under current law, federal office holders can transfer all of their money into a state account.

From the AP, via the Mitchell Republic, South Dakota's Attorney General is making a similar move:

Attorney General Marty Jackley said Tuesday that he's forming a political committee with about $700,000 in the bank as he prepares to run for governor in 2018.

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Jackley, who is barred by term limits from another stint as the state's top prosecutor, said that right now he's "focused on serving as attorney general and making South Dakota safe."