Summary

South Dakota is located in the Midwestern region of the USA with Pierre as its capital.  Kristi Noem (R) is Governor.

The South Dakota legislature has 35 Senate members and 70 House members.

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News

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Latest South Dakota onAir News
December 20, 2023

The base content in each post in this South Dakota onAir Hub has been updated as of 12/20/23. In addition to the eight posts on the home page, in depth posts on each US House member and posts on South Dakota government and elections have been started. These posts have been shared with the US onAir Hub and will updated in the US onAir automatically when they are updated in this hub.

If your university or nonpartisan organization (such as a government focused research center, citizen engagement program or a League of Women Voters chapter) is interested in assisting the US onAir network to help curate new  issue posts or other posts on this Hub and moderate the forums in each post, contact Ben Murphy at Ben.Murphy@onair.cc.

We are also supporting college students to start an onAir chapter on the their campus to coordinate the curation and moderation of posts especially on state and local representatives and government.

About

The South Dakota onAir Hub supports South Dakotans to become more informed about and engaged in local, state, and federal politics while facilitating more civil and positive discussions with their representatives, candidates, and fellow citizens.

  • South Dakota onAir is one of 50 state governance and elections hubs that the US onAir Network is providing to help reinvigorate US democracy.  This post has short summaries of current state and federal representatives with links to their complete Hub posts.  Students curate post content from government, campaign, social media, and public websites.  Key content on the South Dakota Hub is also replicated on the US onAir nations Hub at: us.onair.cc.
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Find out more about Who Represents Me in South Dakota
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Web Links

State Representatives

Governor Kristi Noem

Kristi Noem 2Current Position: Governor since 2019
Affiliation: Republican
Former Positions: US Representative from 2011 – 2019; State Delegate from 2007 – 2011

As governor, Noem rose to national prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic over her refusal to issue a statewide mandate to wear face masks.  Noem left college early to run the family farm. She added a hunting lodge and restaurant to the family property. She completed her degree in political science at SDSU in 2012 while serving in Congress.

Featured Quote: 
There’s no place in America like South Dakota. We’d love to have you join us. Come grow your company; live your life; achieve your dreams. We can make it happen for you right now, because South Dakota Means Business.

OnAir Post: Kristi Noem – SD

US Representatives

Senator Mike Rounds

Mike RoundsCurrent Position: US Senator since 2015
Affiliation: Republican
Former Positions: US Representative from 2011 – 2019; State Delegate from 2007 – 2011

Rounds ran for governor of South Dakota in 2002, and after an upset victory in the Republican primary, defeated Democratic nominee Jim Abbott. He was reelected in 2006, but was term limited from running for a third term in 2010.

Several members of the Rounds family have been involved in state government. Rounds is a former partner in Fischer Rounds & Associates, an insurance and real estate firm.

Featured Quote: 
The Biden administration’s lack of sanctions enforcement against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is not only poor U.S. foreign policy but also makes our European allies more dependent on Putin.

OnAir Post: Mike Rounds – SD

Senator John Thune

John Thune 2Current Position: US Senator since 2005
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position: US Representative from 1997 – 2003
Other Positions: Republican Whip

He is known for his defeat of sitting Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle in 2004. Thune was a star athlete in high school, active in basketball, track, and football.

He worked as a legislative aide for U.S. Senator James Abdnor from 1985 to 1987. In 1989, Thune moved to Pierre, where he served as executive director of the state Republican Party for two years. Thune was appointed Railroad Director of South Dakota by Governor George S. Mickelson, serving from 1991 to 1993. From 1993 to 1996, he was executive director of the South Dakota Municipal League.

Featured Quote: 
Following my request, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing next week on potential manipulation in the beef market. South Dakota producers deserve answers, and this is an important development in our effort to hold the packing industry accountable.

OnAir Post: John Thune – SD

Dusty Johnson SD-01

Dusty Johnson 1Current Position: US Representative since 2019
Affiliation: Republican
Former Positions: Chief of Staff to the Governor of South Dakota from 2011 – 2014; US Senator; South Dakota Public Utilities Commission from 2005 – 2011

Dusty Johnson served as South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner from 2005 to 2011, when he was appointed chief of staff to Governor Dennis Daugaard, a position he held until 2014. Between his state political career and congressional service, Johnson was the vice president of Vantage Point Solutions in Mitchell, South Dakota.

In 1998, Johnson was named a Truman Scholar.  As a Truman Scholar, he worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. In 2003, Johnson worked as a senior policy advisor for then-South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds.

Featured Quote: 
Today I joined @RepTenneyand 175 of my fellow Republicans in defense of the Second Amendment. In some states across the country, conceal carry permits aren’t often permitted — we filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court to fight for lawful gun owners right to conceal carry.

USDA Implements Johnson Cattle Proposals

OnAir Post: Dusty Johnson SD-01

More Information

Wikipedia


State capitol building in Pierre

The structure of the government of South Dakota is based on that of the federal government, with three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. The structure of the state government is laid out in the Constitution of South Dakota, the highest law in the state. The constitution may be amended either by a majority vote of both houses of the legislature, or by voter initiative.[1]

Executive branch

The governor of South Dakota heads the executive branch of the state government.[2] The state constitution gives the governor the power to either sign into law or veto bills passed by the state legislature, to serve as commander-in-chief of the state’s armed forces, to appoint a cabinet, and to commute criminal sentences or to pardon those convicted of crimes.[3][4] The governor serves for a four-year term, and may not serve more than two consecutive terms.[5]

The current governor is Kristi Noem, a Republican from Watertown. The lieutenant governor is Larry Rhoden (R), the attorney general is Marty J. Jackley (R), the commissioner of school and public lands is Brock Greenfield (R), the secretary of state is Monae Johnson (R), the state auditor is Rich Sattgast (R), and the treasurer is Josh Haeder (R).

Legislature

Map showing the 35 legislative districts of South Dakota from 2008. Every district elects one senator and two representatives to the state legislature.

The state legislature is made up of two bodies, the Senate, which has 35 members, and the House of Representatives, with 70 members. South Dakota is divided into 35 legislative districts,[6] with voters electing two representatives and one senator per district.[6] The legislature meets for an annual session which begins on the second Tuesday in January and lasts for 40 days.[7] it also meets if a special session is called by the governor.[6] The Republican Party currently holds majorities in both houses of the South Dakota Legislature. Currently, the Senate consists of 30 Republicans and 5 Democrats,[8] while the House of Representatives is made up of 59 Republicans, 11 Democrats [9] State law currently limits legislators to a maximum of four consecutive terms in the same house of the Legislature.[7][10]

Judicial branch

The judicial branch is made up of several levels. The state supreme court, with four justices and a chief justice, is the highest court in the state.[11] Below the supreme court are the circuit courts; 41 circuit judges serve in seven judicial circuits in the state.[11] Below the circuit courts are the magistrate courts, which deal with more minor criminal and civil actions.[11]

Federal representation

South Dakota is represented at the federal level by Senator Mike Rounds, Senator John Thune, and Representative Dusty Johnson. All the federal representatives are Republicans, this hasn’t been the case since 1961. South Dakota is one of seven states with only one seat in the US House of Representatives.[12]

South Dakota is part of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota in the federal judiciary. The district’s cases are appealed to the St-Louis-based United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Native government

Native Americans‘ governments are significantly independent of the state and its local governments. For example, federal law forbids states and local authorities to tax Indian lands.[13]

Politics

United States presidential election results for South Dakota[14]
YearRepublicanDemocraticThird party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2020261,04361.77%150,47135.61%11,0952.63%
2016227,73161.53%117,46631.74%24,9146.73%
2012210,61057.89%145,03939.87%8,1662.24%
2008203,05453.16%170,92444.75%7,9972.09%
2004232,58459.91%149,24438.44%6,3871.65%
2000190,70060.30%118,80437.56%6,7652.14%
1996150,54346.49%139,33343.03%33,95010.48%
1992136,71840.66%124,88837.14%74,64822.20%
1988165,41552.85%145,56046.51%2,0160.64%
1984200,26763.00%116,11336.53%1,4870.47%
1980198,34360.53%103,85531.69%25,5057.78%
1976151,50550.39%147,06848.91%2,1050.70%
1972166,47654.15%139,94545.52%9940.32%
1968149,84153.27%118,02341.96%13,4004.76%
1964130,10844.39%163,01055.61%00.00%
1960178,41758.21%128,07041.79%00.00%
1956171,56958.39%122,28841.61%00.00%
1952203,85769.27%90,42630.73%00.00%
1948129,65151.84%117,65347.04%2,8011.12%
1944135,36558.33%96,71141.67%00.00%
1940177,06557.41%131,36242.59%00.00%
1936125,97742.49%160,13754.02%10,3383.49%
193299,21234.40%183,51563.62%5,7111.98%
1928157,60360.18%102,66039.20%1,6020.61%
1924101,29949.69%27,21413.35%75,35536.96%
1920110,69260.74%35,93819.72%35,61119.54%
191664,21749.80%59,19145.91%5,5344.29%
191200.00%48,94242.07%67,38357.93%
190867,53658.84%40,26635.08%6,9736.08%
190472,08371.09%21,96921.67%7,3437.24%
190054,53056.73%39,54441.14%2,0502.13%
189641,04249.48%41,22549.70%6830.82%
189234,88849.48%9,08112.88%26,54437.64%

South Dakota politics are generally dominated by the Republican Party, and the state has not supported a Democratic presidential candidate since 1964—especially notable when one considers that George McGovern, the Democratic nominee in 1972, was from South Dakota.[15][16] Since statehood, it has only voted Democratic four times, in 1896, 1932, 1936, and 1964, as well as for the Progressive candidate in 1912.

There are only five reliably Democratic counties in the state—most of them with primarily Native American populations. Republicans have won the last 13 gubernatorial elections and have controlled the legislature, with one brief interruption, for over thirty years. Democrats, however, have been successful in winning election to Congress from South Dakota, including former Senators Tom Daschle, who served as Majority Leader, James Abourezk, George McGovern, and Tim Johnson; and former Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.

While President Bush received a lower vote percentage in 2004 than he did in 2000, he still received a very strong 60% of the popular vote. Part of the deviation had to do with record turnout driven by the intense Senate campaigns that year. As of 2016, Republicans hold a 15% voter registration advantage over Democrats[17] and hold large majorities in both the state House of Representatives[18] and Senate.[19] Additionally, all but one of the statewide elected officers are Republicans.

In the more than a quarter century between 1979 and 2005, two politicians, one a Republican and one a Democrat, dominated South Dakota politics. Republican Governor Bill Janklow served four terms as governor from 1979 to 1987 and then from 1995 to 2003 followed by a brief partial term as a United States Representative from 2003 to 2004. Janklow’s career was ended by a motor vehicle manslaughter conviction causing his resignation from Congress. Democrat Tom Daschle was also a dominant figure in South Dakota politics, serving in Congress, 1979–2005. He first served eight years in the United States House of Representatives and then eighteen years in the United States Senate after his senate election in 1986. Over a period of ten years, he served both as minority leader and majority leader in the Senate. In 2004, he lost his Senate seat to a Republican, former United States Representative John Thune, who narrowly defeated Daschle by a 51%-49% margin. Daschle became the first Senate party leader in 52 years to lose re-election to his own Senate seat.

South Dakota has a history of voting out powerful members of the Senate who seek fourth terms. Former Commerce Committee Chairman Larry Pressler lost to Congressman Tim Johnson in 1996, and 1972 Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern was defeated by Congressman James Abdnor in 1980. Abdnor was, in turn, defeated by Daschle in 1986.

Political geography

Map showing the counties of South Dakota

The Missouri River, bisects the state. The area east of the Missouri River (or “East River”), is generally more moderate, with views that are more in line with those found in its Midwestern neighbors, Iowa and Minnesota. “West River” is more conservative, with views that are generally more in line with those found in its western neighbors, Montana and Wyoming. Large exceptions exist to the East River-West River political generalizations, however. The strongest Democratic counties in the state are West River. These counties are located within Indian Reservations. The strongest Republican counties are located East River. These counties were primarily settled by Protestant Germans from Russia, and be they Mennonite, Lutheran, Baptist or Reformed, they vote overwhelmingly Republican. A large part of the western half of East River responds politically in the same fashion as West River. Many observers think that the James River Valley really is the political dividing line between East River political thought and West River political thought.

Recent elections

2006 election

In the 2006 midterm elections, little change occurred in South Dakota in statewide elections. The Republicans defeated the sole Democrat state officeholder previously elected statewide, but lost another statewide elected office to the Democrats. Otherwise, all federal and state officeholders were comfortably re-elected. The Democrats made a significant gain in the state senate, narrowing the Republican margin from 25–10 to 20–15, costing the Republican legislative leadership its two-thirds majority in both houses of the legislature.

By referendum, the electorate rejected an abortion ban approved by the state legislature. 56% of the electorate voted to overturn the law, generally considered a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade. Additionally, the electorate rejected a proposed law permitting the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and narrowly approved a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. The prevailing side received a 52%–48% margin in both cases.

2008 election

Senator Tim Johnson defeated state Sen. Joel Dykstra on November 4, 2008. Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin defeated Rapid City businessman Chris Lien.

2010 election

In 2010, Republican Dennis Daugaard defeated Democrat Scott Heidepriem for governor,[20] and Republican Kristi Noem defeated incumbent Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin for South Dakota’s at-large seat in the US House of Representatives.[21] Republican John Thune won a second term as US senator, running unopposed in 2010.

2012 election

In 2012, Noem retained her seat with 57% of the vote and the state voted for Republican nominee Mitt Romney over Democratic President Barack Obama by a margin of 18%.[22]

2014 election

Republican Dennis Daugaard won re-election with 70.47% over Susan Wismer with 25.43%. Mike Rounds won his campaign over Rick Weiland.[23]

Issues

As of 2005, South Dakota has the lowest per capita total state tax rate in the United States.[24] The state does not levy personal or corporate income taxes,[25] inheritance taxes,[26] or taxes on intangible personal property. The state sales tax rate is 4.5 percent.[27] Various localities have local levies so in some areas the rate is 6 percent. The state sales tax does not apply to sales to Indians on Indian reservations, but many reservations have a compact with the state. Businesses on the reservation collect the tax and the state refunds to the Indian Tribes the percentage of sales tax collections relating to the ratio of Indian population to total population in the county or area affected. Ad valorem property taxes are local taxes and are a large source of funding for school systems, counties, municipalities and other local government units. The South Dakota Special Tax Division regulates some taxes including cigarette and alcohol-related taxes.[28]

U.S. senators

Seat 1
SenatorTook officeLeft officeParty
Mike Rounds2015presentRepublican
Tim Johnson19972015Democrat
Larry Pressler19791997Republican
James Abourezk19731979Democrat
Karl E. Mundt19481973Republican
Vera C. Bushfield19481948Republican
Harlan J. Bushfield19431948Republican
William J. Bulow19311943Democrat
William H. McMaster19251931Republican
Thomas Sterling19131925Republican
Robert J. Gamble19011913Republican
Richard F. Pettigrew18891901Republican
Seat 2
SenatorTook officeLeft officeParty
John Thune2005presentRepublican
Tom Daschle19872005Democrat
James Abdnor19811987Republican
George McGovern19631981Democrat
Joseph H. Bottum19621963Republican
Francis H. Case19511962Republican
J. Chandler Gurney19391951Republican
Gladys Pyle19381939Republican
Herbert E. Hitchcock19361938Democrat
Peter Norbeck19211936Republican
Edwin S. Johnson19151921Democrat
Coe I. Crawford19091915Republican
Alfred B. Kittredge19011909Republican
James H. Kyle18911901Populist
Gideon C. Moody18891891Republican

References

  1. ^ “Article XXIII, Section 1, Constitution of South Dakota”. South Dakota Legislature. Archived from the original on December 7, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  2. ^ “Article IV, Section 1, Constitution of South Dakota”. South Dakota Legislature. Archived from the original on December 7, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  3. ^ “Article IV, Section 4, Constitution of South Dakota”. South Dakota Legislature. Archived from the original on December 7, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  4. ^ “Article IV, Section 3, Constitution of South Dakota”. South Dakota Legislature. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  5. ^ “Article IV, Section 2, Constitution of South Dakota”. South Dakota Legislature. Archived from the original on December 7, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  6. ^ a b c “The South Dakota Legislature: An Overview” (PDF). State of South Dakota. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  7. ^ a b “SDLRC – Constitution 3-6”. legis.sd.gov.
  8. ^ “Error”. legis.sd.gov.
  9. ^ “Error”. legis.sd.gov.
  10. ^ staff, David Montgomery, Journal. “South Dakota’s term limit laws under question”. rapidcityjournal.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ a b c “UJS Structure”. South Dakota Unified Judicial System. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  12. ^ “Member Information”. Office of the Clerk – United States House of Representatives. Archived from the original on 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2009-04-05.
  13. ^ ONEIDA TRIBE OF INDIANS OF WIS. V. VILL. OF HOBART, 732 F.3d 837 (7th Cir. 2013) (“Because federal law forbids states and local authorities to tax Indian lands, the tribe can’t be forced to pay the assessment decreed by the challenged ordinance if the assessment is a tax.”).
  14. ^ Leip, David. “Presidential General Election Results Comparison – South Dakota”. US Election Atlas. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  15. ^ “Presidential General Election Graph Comparison – South Dakota”. www.uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2007-11-14.
  16. ^ “McGOVERN, George Stanley, (1922-)”. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 2007-11-14.
  17. ^ “Voter Registration Tracking”. South Dakota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  18. ^ “Official Listing – South Dakota Representatives – 2016”. State of South Dakota. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  19. ^ “Official Listing – South Dakota Senators – 2016”. State of South Dakota. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  20. ^ “South Dakota’s Governor-elect Thanks Voters”. KELO-TV. Archived from the original on 2010-11-07. Retrieved 2010-11-03.
  21. ^ “Western SD Delivers Votes for U.S. Rep-Elect Noem”. KELO-TV. Archived from the original on 2010-11-07. Retrieved 2010-11-03.
  22. ^ “Statewide Results”. South Dakota Secretary of State. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  23. ^ “Election Resources: South Dakota Secretary of State, Shantel Krebs”. electionresults.sd.gov.
  24. ^ “States Ranked by Total State Taxes and Per Capita Amount: 2005”. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 9, 2007. Retrieved April 4, 2007.
  25. ^ “South Dakota”. The Tax Foundation. Archived from the original on April 15, 2010. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
  26. ^ “Inheritance/Estate Tax”. South Dakota Department of Revenue & Regulation. Retrieved January 27, 2008.
  27. ^ “2016 State Sales and Use Tax Increase”. South Dakota Department of Revenue. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  28. ^ South Dakota Department of Revenue & Regulation. “Special Tax Information”. Retrieved March 18, 2008.

Further reading

  • Stock, Catherine McNicol (2020). Nuclear Country: The Origins of the Rural New Right. University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 978-0-8122-5245-3.