The origin of the “Hoghouse” in the South Dakota State Legislature

As with any institution, the South Dakota State Legislature has its own traditions, procedures, and jargon. Many are common to … More

Senate makes history in action against Frye-Mueller

On Wednesday and Thursday, the South Dakota State Senate acted against Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller for what the Argus Leader described … More

Kristi Noem sworn in for second term

Governor Kristi Noem took her oath of office today, officially beginning her second term as South Dakota’s 33rd governor and … More

South Dakota History in 2022

As the year comes to a close, we think back on the year that was. We saw new arrivals and … More

Daschle at 75

Thomas A. Daschle was born in Aberdeen on December 9, 1947 – today is his 75th birthday. Daschle is a … More

Kristin Anderson passes on

I was sorry to see news of the passing of Kristin Anderson, the only child of Gov. Sigurd and Vivian … More

Guest post: Technology’s effect on the Legislature: Doing the people’s work in the modern age

A guest post by Augustana University student and 2022 legislative intern Noah Greble. We often reflect on the ways that … More

THE GOVERNORS OF SOUTH DAKOTA back in print with 2022 updates

With the 2022 election behind us, I now have available updated copies of my book, The Governors of South Dakota. … More

SD House Republicans pick leadership team

Tuesday’s general election delivered Republicans a 63-7 majority in the State House of Representatives – a gain of one seat and … More

SoDakGovs featured in “The Dakota Scout”

This week’s print edition of The Dakota Scout once again features content from this blog. The November 17-23, 2022 includes … More

Debra Anderson, SD’s only female House Speaker, passes on

Debra Anderson, a former South Dakota state representative and the only woman to serve as speaker of the South Dakota … More

SD Democrats elect legislative leadership

Democratic legislators have elected their leaders for the next two years. Leading the minority caucus in the Senate will be … More

SD Senate Republicans elect new leaders

Tuesday’s general election delivered Republicans a 31-4 majority in the State Senate – a loss of one seat but still … More

Women and tribal members reach new highs in solidly Republican SD Legislature

The 2022 general election is in the books, and voters have once again elected Republican supermajorities to the South Dakota … More

Noem wins big as Republicans dominate in SD

The storyline from Election Day 2022 is a familiar one in South Dakota – a big win for Republicans up … More

A historic win for John Thune

U.S. Senator John Thune celebrated a big reelection win yesterday, winning a fourth term against challenger Brian Bengs with approximately … More

SoDakGovs debuts Online Almanac of South Dakota politics

Just in time for the 2022 general election, SoDakGovs is launching an Online Almanac of South Dakota politics. Since this … More

Republicans gain in voter registration

The lead-up to the 2022 general election has generated renewed discussion about the Republican Party’s advantage in voter registration in … More

2022 Election Preview

This Tuesday, November 8 is Election Day. Every election makes history, and this year’s election will be no exception. The … More

Partisan control of the South Dakota State Legislature (2022)

This is an update of a post first written prior to the 2016 general election, and last updated with the … More

John Thune set to make history

With Election Day just over a week away, U.S. Senator John Thune is strongly favored to win reelection, with a … More

Can a Sioux Falls candidate get elected governor?

South Dakota voters head to the polls in less than two weeks, and the marquee race is the contest between … More

Dems duck Dusty, again

In 2020, Congressman Dusty Johnson made history by running for U.S. house from South Dakota without a major party opponent. … More

Will the SD GOP winning streak continue in 2022?

This is an update of a post that was written prior to the 2020 general election. The 2022 election marks twelve years … More

Five Guvs at the State Capitol

The South Dakota State Capitol is a special place. It’s a place where South Dakotans gather to discuss issues and … More

Reaction to Gov. Wollman’s death

South Dakota political leaders have offered their condolences on the passing of Harvey Wollman, 26th Governor of South Dakota. Gov. … More

Tom Lawrence on Harvey Wollman

Tom Lawrence is a longtime political reporter and columnist in South Dakota. His current publication, The South Dakota Standard, is … More

Official statement from Gov. Wollman’s family

Note: This statement was issued on behalf of the Wollman family by Jody Severson, who served in Governor Wollman’s administration … More

Gov. Harvey Wollman 1935-2022

Harvey Lowell Wollman, twenty-sixth Governor of South Dakota, died Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at the age of 87. His death … More

Gordon Mydland passes on

The news comes of the passing of Gordon Mydland, a former South Dakota attorney general and circuit court judge. Mydland, … More

“History 605” podcast features Plains Political Tradition, Vol. 4

The “History 605” podcast debuted last year, an innovation of Dr. Ben Jones, the state historian and host. Each episode … More

History in the Making: 2022 Gubernatorial Milestones

The 2022 gubernatorial election is little more than a month away. Voters will choose between the incumbent governor, Republican Kristi … More

Joe Kirby writes on “The Artist in the South Dakota Penitentiary”

Yesterday on his personal blog, Joe Kirby wrote an interesting post about Frederick H. Morse, a portrait painter who spent … More

The Plains Political Tradition, Vol. 4 is released

Today is the release date for The Plains Political Tradition: Essays on South Dakota Political Culture, Volume 4. This is … More

Campaigning on Crutches

Governor Kristi Noem announced this morning that, following a back injury a few weeks ago, she underwent back surgery at … More

South Dakota and the Queen

The passing of Queen Elizabeth II yesterday is major worldwide news. Although a constitutional monarch, she is a major world … More

SoDakGovs: As Seen in “The Dakota Scout”

The Dakota Scout, a new newspaper published by longtime political reporters Jonathan Ellis and Joe Sneve, released today its second … More

Plains Political Tradition vol. 4 available for pre-order

The Plains Political Tradition: Essays on South Dakota Political Culture, Volume 4 is now available for pre-order from the South … More

SD Legislative Districts, 1889-2021

Recently, legislative redistricting enthusiast Cully Williams shared on Twitter every South Dakota legislative district map since statehood in 1889. Maps … More

George McGovern at 100

One hundred years ago today, George Stanley McGovern was born in the small South Dakota town of Avon. McGovern’s life … More

SD’s “Million Vote Club”

Updated to reflect the results of the 2022 general election. There are many ways to measure South Dakota’s top political … More

Jackley joins a short list of unopposed nominees

The South Dakota Democratic Party held its state convention this weekend to adopt its platform and nominate candidates for statewide … More

Jennifer Keintz is Jamie Smith’s running mate

Today, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jamie Smith announced that he will ask the State Democratic Convention to nominate Jennifer Healy Keintz, … More

Noem releases autobiography

Governor Kristi Noem released yesterday her autobiography, Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland. The book is a first … More

Noem picks Mark Vargo for AG

Governor Kristi Noem today announced that she will appoint Mark A. Vargo to serve as South Dakota’s thirty-second attorney general. … More

LG selection through the years

The recent State Republican Convention in Watertown featured a rare contested ballot for the lieutenant governor nomination. Lt. Governor Larry … More