South Dakota History in 2022

As the year comes to a close, we think back on the year that was. We saw new arrivals and …

Noem wins big as Republicans dominate in SD

The storyline from Election Day 2022 is a familiar one in South Dakota – a big win for Republicans up …

John Thune set to make history

With Election Day just over a week away, U.S. Senator John Thune is strongly favored to win reelection, with a …

Will the SD GOP winning streak continue in 2022?

This is an update of a post that was written prior to the 2020 general election. The 2022 election marks twelve years …

Noem picks Mark Vargo for AG

Governor Kristi Noem today announced that she will appoint Mark A. Vargo to serve as South Dakota’s thirty-second attorney general. …

Rounds upset Barnett and Kirby, 20 years ago today

Twenty years ago today – June 4, 2002 – Mike Rounds achieved one of the biggest upsets in South Dakota …

The Dem Dozen

This week, House Minority Leader Jamie Smith launched his 2022 candidacy for governor. Smith joins a Democratic Party field that …

In SD, US Senators have never just retired

This morning, Tom Lawrence has an excellent historical article, looking at U.S. Senator John Thune’s upcoming decision as to whether …

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. …

Jean Rounds: SD loses a true “First Lady”

South Dakotans were very sad to learn that Jean Rounds, former First Lady and wife of U.S. Senator Mike Rounds, …

Jim Soyer: A Life of Service

Jim Soyer, a former chief of staff to Gov. Bill Janklow and longtime Governor’s Office staffer, has passed away. Jim …

Special Legislative Sessions in South Dakota

The South Dakota State Legislature has met in special session thirty times. Twenty-six times, the special session was called by …

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 …

Mike Rounds on a historic path

Mike Rounds was reelected to the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, handily winning a second term against Democratic challenger Dan Ahlers. …

Mike Rounds and the biggest U.S. Senate wins

Update: Unofficial election results indicate that Rounds was reelected with 65.7% of the vote, placing him fifth all-time among U.S. …

Will the SD GOP winning streak continue in 2020?

This is an update of a post that was written prior to the 2018 general election. The 2020 election marks …

Remembering Deb Bowman

Deb Bowman passed away early on Tuesday morning, September 17, 2019. Deb succumbed to Stage IV lung cancer. She had …

Governors after leaving office

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

MAPS! (of general elections for SD Governor)

Updated to include a map of the 2022 general election. The general election contest between Republican Congresswoman Kristi Noem and Democratic Senate Minority …

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 …

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 …