The general election contest between Republican Congresswoman Kristi Noem and Democratic Senate Minority Leader Billie Sutton is less than a month away. Polls indicate … More
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South Dakota state symbols
On July 1, 2018, chislic officially became South Dakota’s state nosh. It is the most recent of many South Dakota … More
Closest elections for South Dakota governor
The closest gubernatorial election in South Dakota history was won by Populist Andrew E. Lee in 1896. Lee was the … More
Timeline of female “firsts” in SD politics
As the Republican nominee for Governor, Kristi Noem has a strong chance to be South Dakota’s first female chief executive. … More
Presidential visits to South Dakota
Fifteen sitting presidents have made a total of twenty-five visits to South Dakota. Since South Dakota became a state in 1889, … More
New Trail of Governors statues placed
The 2018 class of new Trail of Governors statues were placed on Tuesday, July 24:
Noem and Sutton a historically rural matchup
The 2018 gubernatorial election has had a noticeably rural feel. Candidates Kristi Noem, Billie Sutton and Marty Jackley have all … More
Farewell to Dave Kranz
I posted this on Facebook and thought I would share it here as well. I was sorry just now to … More
2018 SD GOP looks to extend its winning streak
This is an update of a post that was done prior to the 2016 general election. The South Dakota Republican … More
The many mustaches of SD Lt. Gov’s
South Dakota has had thirty-eight lieutenant governors. Twelve of them, or nearly one third, sported a mustache (using the Senate … More
Larry Rhoden is Noem’s running mate
Kristi Noem announced today her selection of Larry R. Rhoden as her running mate. She will ask the the State … More
New Trail of Governors statues
New statues (L to R in first picture) are Ralph Herseth, M. Q. Sharpe, and William McMaster.
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
On Friday, June 15, 2018, the Trail of Governors unveiled three new statues: William H. McMaster, M. Q. Sharpe, and Ralph … More
Gov. M. Q. Sharpe: Trail of Governors Class of 2018
On Friday, June 15, 2018, the Trail of Governors unveiled three new statues: William H. McMaster, M. Q. Sharpe, and … More
Gov. William H. McMaster: Trail of Governors Class of 2018
On Friday, June 15, 2018, the Trail of Governors unveiled 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
Updated June 21, 2018 to reflect the State of South Dakota’s victory in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. On April 17, … 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
Updated with pictures of the final bust, which was unveiled on September 11, 2018. In just a few weeks, South … 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-seven times. Each special session was called by the … More
Oldest and Youngest SD GOV’s
Updated to reflect the result of the primary election. The two major party nominees for Governor of South Dakota are … 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
