New Trail of Governors statues

New statues (L to R in first picture) are Ralph Herseth, M. Q. Sharpe, and William McMaster. Advertisements

Michelle Lavallee is Sutton’s running mate

Today, Billie Sutton announced that he will ask the State Democratic Convention to nominate Michelle Lavallee, of Sioux Falls, for … More

Gov. Ralph Herseth: Trail of Governors Class of 2018

This Friday, June 15, the Trail of Governors is unveiling three new statues: William H. McMaster, M. Q. Sharpe, and … More

Gov. M. Q. Sharpe: Trail of Governors Class of 2018

This Friday, June 15, the Trail of Governors is unveiling three new statues: William H. McMaster, M. Q. Sharpe, and … More

Gov. William H. McMaster: Trail of Governors Class of 2018

This Friday, June 15, the Trail of Governors is unveiling three new statues: William H. McMaster, M. Q. Sharpe, and … More

Libertarians and the modern history of minor party candidates for SD Governor

This weekend, the Libertarian Party of South Dakota made itself the first in 2018 to complete a gubernatorial ticket, nominating … More

Kristi and Dusty win: A few observations

Kristi Noem is the Republican nominee for Governor of South Dakota, and Dusty Johnson is the nominee for U. S. … More

Counties to watch on primary night

The 2018 Republican primary is fast approaching, and the gubernatorial matchup between Congresswoman Kristi Noem and Attorney General Marty Jackley is … More

History in the making: 2018 primary

Here’s a look at some of the history that could be made in Tuesday’s GOP gubernatorial primary. If Kristi Noem … More

Closest gubernatorial primaries

With the 2018 Republican primary for governor one week away, the Argus Leader and Keloland-TV report a dead heat between … More

Uncontested nomination for Sutton

With the current focus on the Jackley–Noem primary in a few weeks, it is easy to forget that a third … More

SD Gov Nominees from West River

Billie Sutton, the Democratic Senate Minority Leader from Burke, is uncontested in the June primary for his party’s nomination to … More

MAPS! (of SD GOP gubernatorial primaries)

It is just over three weeks until the South Dakota’s Republican gubernatorial primary, which pits Congresswoman Kristi Noem against Attorney … More

Dusty and Shantel try to make history

Kristi Noem’s pursuit of the Governor’s Office leaves an open seat in Washington. Three Republicans – former Public Utilities Commissioner … More

AG’s and US Rep’s running for governor

The 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary pits Congresswoman Kristi Noem against Attorney General Marty Jackley. If elected, both would achieve certain … More

Those we lost on April 19, 1993

April 19, 1993 marks the 25th anniversary of the crash of the state plane near Dubuque, Iowa. The plane was … More

SD Attorneys General at the U.S. Supreme Court

On April 17, Attorney General Marty Jackley will argue on behalf of the State of South Dakota before the United … More

LG-stakes: What history tells us about 2018 running mates

With the 2018 gubernatorial campaign coming into full swing, it’s not too early to start speculating about the candidates’ potential … More

Running mates in the primary

The campaign between Congresswoman Kristi Noem and Attorney General Marty Jackley for the Republican gubernatorial nomination is heating up, and … More

Frank Farrar sets the pace

April 2, 2018 is Gov. Frank Farrar’s 89th birthday. Remarkably, 2018 is the 50th anniversary of Farrar’s 1968 election as … More

George S. Mickelson returns to the House

In just a few weeks, South Dakotans will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 1993 state plane crash that took … More

Dennis Daugaard historical milestones

As Governor Daugaard serves out his final year in office, here are some the historical milestones he has set. A number … More

Veterans who became Governor of SD

Twelve South Dakota governors served in the armed forces. The list included 5 U.S. Army veterans, 3 U.S. Navy veterans, … More

Harvey Wollman stands alone

It was good this week to see Gov. Harvey Wollman at the Buffalo Roundup in Custer State Park. Gov. Wollman … More

Old Bulls of the SD Legislature

Roger McKellips’ death last week was the latest signal of the passing of a by-gone era. Most of the longtime … More

On the lookout for biographies of SD governors

Biographies of South Dakota governors admittedly fill a niche-market. They are unlikely to sell millions of copies like John Adams, win … More

Roger D. McKellips 1923-2017

The Argus Leader reports that Roger D. McKellips passed away on Friday, August 18. McKellips, 94, was an Alcester banker … More

New Hall of Honor at State Capitol honors Medal of Honor recipients

Recently, the South Dakota Hall of Honor, which recognizes South Dakotans who received the Congressional Medal of Honor, was relocated … More

Trail of Governors selects class of 2018

This week, the Trail of Governors announced its class of 2018. Statues of William H. McMaster, M. Q. Sharpe and Ralph … More

Lutherans most common among SD Governors

To date, South Dakota’s thirty-one governors have all considered themselves to be Christian. Twenty-nine of them have been members of … More

SD Governors’ alma maters

Of the 31 men who have served as Governor of South Dakota, 20 have held at least one college degree. … More

New Trail of Governors statues

On June 16, 2017, the Trail of Governors unveiled new statues of Govs. Tom Berry, Leslie Jensen, Sigurd Anderson, and … More

Gov. Sigurd Anderson: Trail of Governors Class of 2017

This Friday, June 16, the Trail of Governors is unveiling four new statues: Tom Berry, Leslie Jensen, Sigurd Anderson and … More

Gov. Joe Foss: Trail of Governors Class of 2017

This Friday, June 16, the Trail of Governors is unveiling four new statues: Tom Berry, Leslie Jensen, Sigurd Anderson and … More

Gov. Tom Berry: Trail of Governors Class of 2017

This Friday, June 16, the Trail of Governors is unveiling four new statues: Tom Berry, Leslie Jensen, Sigurd Anderson and … More

Gov. Leslie Jensen: Trail of Governors Class of 2017

This Friday, June 16, the Trail of Governors is unveiling four new statues: Tom Berry, Leslie Jensen, Sigurd Anderson and … More

Special Legislative Sessions in South Dakota

The South Dakota State Legislature has met in special session twenty-six times. Each special session was called by the governor … More

Oldest and Youngest SD GOV’s

The three major candidates for Governor of South Dakota are Republicans Kristi Noem and Marty Jackley and Democrat Billie Sutton. … More

On Kneip and Wollman

Earlier today, Cory Heidelberger at Dakota Free Press had a post about the fact that, if elected, Billie Sutton would … More

SD GOV 2018: Billie Sutton milestones

The race is on to succeed Dennis Daugaard as the 33rd Governor of South Dakota. Three major candidates have filed: Republican Congresswoman Kristi … More

SD GOV 2018: Kristi Noem milestones

The race is on to succeed Dennis Daugaard as the 33rd Governor of South Dakota. Three major candidates have filed: Republican Congresswoman Kristi … More

SD GOV 2018: Marty Jackley milestones

The race is on to succeed Dennis Daugaard as the 33rd Governor of South Dakota. Three major candidates have filed: Republican Congresswoman Kristi … More

The Three Speakers Mickelson

The 92nd Session of the South Dakota State Legislature convened on January 10, 2017. In the State House of Representatives, … More

Lt. Gov. Matt Michels reaches milestone

Governor Dennis Daugaard opened his 2017 State of the State Address by recognizing a milestone reached by Lt. Governor Matt … More

Presidential Cabinet members from SD

With the “Trump transition” in full swing, the political news is filled with cabinet appointments and speculation about unfilled positions. Speculation … More