GOP chairman won't seek reelection, others angling for job

Changes coming at the top of South Dakota Republican Party

(From left to right) Lee Qualm, Jim Eschenbaum and Ezra Hays are considering bids to become the next South Dakota GOP chair.

Another round of leadership turnover is coming within the South Dakota Republican Party.

State GOP Chairman John Wiik will not seek a second term leading South Dakota’s long-dominant party and plans to hand off the position following the end of his two-year term, according to multiple Republican insiders.

Ready to take Wiik’s place, who declined to comment when reached by The Dakota Scout this week, are at least three party players active within South Dakota politics and the state GOP.

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