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 …

SD’s “Million Vote Club”

There are many ways to measure South Dakota’s top political figures. This blog has in the past attempted a few: …

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

Public service is an important part of South Dakota’s culture. Many, many people take a few years to serve, on …

Trail of Governors gallery

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

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 …

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 …

Jean Hunhoff the SD Legislature’s longest-serving woman

Updated to reflect results of the 2020 general election – the article now assumes that those elected in 2020 will …

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 …

“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 …

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 …

Governors after leaving office

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

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 …

South Dakota state symbols

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

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 …

Timeline of female “firsts” in SD politics

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

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

SD Governors’ alma maters

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

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 …