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

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

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

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

The Over 25 Club: SD’s longest-serving state officials

Updated to reflect the results of the 2022 general election. Public service is an important part of South Dakota’s culture. … More

Trail of Governors gallery

The Trail of Governors in Pierre was initiated in 2011, with its first statues unveiled in 2012. This slideshow includes … More

Party floor leaders in the SD Legislature

This post was originally written in November 2018 and was revised following the caucus leadership elections in November 2020, and … More

Women reach all-time high as SD Legislature most Republican in decades

The 2020 election results are in and, as expected, Republicans have maintained control of both the State Senate and the … More

Jean Hunhoff the SD Legislature’s longest-serving woman

Updated to reflect results of the 2020 and 2022 general elections – the article now assumes that those elected in … More

Ironman Farrar sets another record

Frank Farrar, who was Governor of South Dakota from 1969-71, has in the years since become known for completing triathlons … More

“First Lady Gown Collection” to add the state’s first “First Gentleman”

A longstanding feature of the South Dakota State Capitol is the “First Lady Gown Collection.” The collection, which features a … More

Gallery of Governor’s Signatures

Recently, Gov. Kristi Noem signed her first bill as governor. A governor’s signature can have significant legal effect. With the … More

Governors after leaving office

On January 5, 2019, Gov. Dennis Daugaard will leave office as his successor, Kristi Noem, is sworn in as South … More

Governor’s portrait collection

The South Dakota State Capitol features portraits of all thirty-two governors, from Arthur C. Mellette to Dennis Daugaard. These photographs … More

South Dakota state symbols

Updated March 10, 2021. South Dakota has a number of symbols that represent our culture and traditions. You can find … More

Closest elections for South Dakota governor

This post has been updated to include the results of the 2018 election. The closest gubernatorial election in South Dakota history … More

Timeline of female “firsts” in SD politics

Updated to reflect results of 2018 election, the 2019 appointment of Justice Devaney, and the 2020 and 2022 elections. In … 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

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

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

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

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

Lutherans most common among SD Governors

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

SD Governors’ alma maters

Of the 31 men and one woman who have served as Governor of South Dakota, 21 have held at least … 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