As the year comes to a close, we think back on the year that was. It was a historic year in South Dakota politics, full of victories and defeats; anniversaries and final farewells. Here is a look at some of the South Dakota history made in 2024:
Final Farewells
South Dakota lost a political giant in October with the passing of former U.S. Senator Tim Johnson. Johnson’s 36-year career in state and federal office is the longest in South Dakota history and, remarkably for a Democrat, he never lost an election. Among the many to pay tribute to Senator Johnson was his former colleague, President Joe Biden.
In addition to Senator Johnson, South Dakota lost Jan Nicolay, a former legislator who was a trailblazer for women in politics and education; two former public utilities commissioners, Jim Burg and Kenneth Stofferahn, who both represented the block of “farm Democrats” that used to be an important part of the party’s coalition in the state; and, just this week, former Senate President Pro Tempore Arnold M. Brown of Brookings.
And, just before the new year came the passing of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States. This blog took a short look at Carter’s life and career, and his impact on South Dakota politics.
Election Night shakes up SD Politics
The 2024 general election was a wild one nationally, as President Joe Biden abandoned his bid for a second term and President Donald Trump launched a rare comeback bid and narrowly survived an assassination attempt, ultimately returning to the White House in a win over Vice President Kamala Harris.
It was a quieter affair in South Dakota, with much of the focus on ballot measure campaigns as Congressman Dusty Johnson notched a big win. Republicans once again made gains in the State Legislature, which will have a historic number of female members in 2025, and legislative leadership almost completely turned over in both the Republican and Democratic parties, with Democrats selecting their first two female floor leaders.
Two big changes came in the aftermath of Election Day. First, on November 12, President Donald Trump announced his selection of Governor Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security. The choice means that, once Noem is confirmed in early 2024, Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden will step up as the 34th Governor of South Dakota.
The following day, U.S. Senate Republicans selected Senator John Thune to be the next Senate Majority Leader, bringing a culmination to years of work by Thune in the Senate Republicans’ #2 and #3 positions. South Dakota will have unprecedented sway in the nation’s capital in 2025, with Kristi Noem in the Cabinet, John Thune leading the Senate, U.S. Senator Mike Rounds joining the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Congressman Johnson continuing to lead the influential Main Street Coalition of House Republicans.
Anniversaries and Milestones
U.S. Senator Mike Rounds celebrated his 70th birthday in October. His is already a historic political career, as the only South Dakotan to serve two four-year terms as Governor and two six-year terms in the U.S. Senate. He now faces a decision about his future, facing reelection in 2026.
Former Governor Dennis Daugaard was honored in October as well, with the opening of the Daugaard Dining Hall at Children’s Home Society’s Sioux Falls campus. Daugaard spent 24 years in various roles and Children’s Home prior to his eight years as governor from 2011-19.
The Interim Appropriations Committee bid farewell to Senator Jean Hunhoff in November. The Senate appropriations chair and longtime appropriator, Hunhoff ends 24 years of service in Pierre as the longest-serving female legislator in state history.
Publications
Kristi Noem published her second book, No Going Back, in the spring. This fall, Greg Redlin published Janklow, a book of historical fiction that focuses on the early career of Governor Bill Janklow. SDPB’s Lee Strubinger also made an important contribution to South Dakota history with his podcast series, Short Walk, about the impeachment of Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg.
This blogger printed the 10th edition of The Governors of South Dakota. They are sold out, but an 11th edition will be available shortly after Lt. Governor Rhoden takes office upon Governor Noem’s resignation in early 2025.
In addition to following current events through a historical lens, this blog also looked back, writing about Governor Kneip’s 1978 resignation to become U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, the remarkable number of state officials elected from tiny Lyman County, and the shift in the occupations of state legislators over the past fifty years. The Online Almanac of South Dakota Politics has also been kept up to date with the results of the 2024 elections, and with expanded information available.
Looking ahead
The 2025 session of the South Dakota State Legislature will be the 100th in state history, and will bring a number of commemorations and writings to celebrate that milestone. The 100th Session will likely also be the first in which a gubernatorial transition occurs mid-session, as Governor Noem moves on and Lt. Governor Rhoden moves up to become the 34th Governor. He, in turn, will need to name a new lieutenant governor. As noted above, South Dakota will enjoy unprecedented levels of influence in Washington, D.C. as America enters the second Trump administration. And, in South Dakota, political figures will begin to position more openly for the 2026 elections, which promise to be historic.
SoDak Governors 