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