Since the method, not the mood
Strategic Liberty CoalitionPlaceholder data. Every candidate on this site is fictional. Scores demonstrate the method. They are not live election advice.
Calls
A clear endorsement names a fictional candidate when the record and the odds both support it. A toss-up is the honest call when they do not. Every card has a reason. Where editors depart from the formula, the card says so.
2 endorsements · 2 toss-ups · filtered to SD
2026 legislative elections
Endorse Miles Ortega
Formula: Endorse Miles Ortega
Placeholder call for South Dakota, Legislature. The issue in this office is “Felony penalties for peaceable firearm possession.” Miles Ortega leads Victor Alm after winnability weighting, with a winnability of 4 out of 5, and the gap clears the toss-up rule. The editorial call matches the formula. Miles Ortega is not a real candidate.
2026 gubernatorial election
Endorse Helen Crowe
Formula: Endorse Helen Crowe
Placeholder call for South Dakota, Governor. The issue in this office is “Forfeiture of property without a criminal conviction.” Helen Crowe leads Uma Wynn after winnability weighting, with a winnability of 4 out of 5, and the gap clears the toss-up rule. The editorial call matches the formula. Helen Crowe is not a real candidate.
2026 judicial elections
No candidate endorsed
Formula: Toss-up — The better-aligned candidate is below the winnability floor. Leading score: Evan Brooks.
Placeholder call for South Dakota, Judiciary. The issue in this office is “Qualified immunity when officials injure nonviolent people.” Editors mark a toss-up because Evan Brooks has the better liberty alignment, and a winnability of 1, which is below the floor the coalition will endorse. The better-aligned candidate is below the winnability floor. Evan Brooks and Xenia Vale are fictional.
2026 attorney general election
No candidate endorsed
Formula: Toss-up — The lead sits inside the toss-up gap. Leading score: Wendy Choate.
Placeholder call for South Dakota, Attorney general. The issue in this office is “Licensing barriers to harmless work.” Editors mark a toss-up because the score gap between Wendy Choate and Clara Nguyen sits inside the toss-up threshold. The lead sits inside the toss-up gap. Wendy Choate and Clara Nguyen are fictional.