South Dakota legislative Democrats have selected their leadership for the 2027-28 legislative term. Although Democrats gained four legislative seats in the November election, their Senate caucus will shrink to just two members, while their House caucus will double in size, from five to ten.
Senator Liz Larson of Sioux Falls will return as senate minority leader, a position she has held since 2025. Larson was the first woman to serve as Senate Democratic leader when she was selected two years ago, succeeding Senator Reynold Nesiba of Sioux Falls.
Joining Larson as assistant senate minority leader will be incoming Senator Erik Muckey of Sioux Falls. Muckey served in the State House in 2025-26 before winning election to the Senate. He succeeds Senator Jamie Smith of Sioux Falls, who did not seek reelection.
Larson and Muckey will constitute the entire two-member Senate Democratic caucus, as will hold the other 33 seats in the 35-member Senate.
In the House, Rep. Eric Emery of Rosebud will serve as house minority leader, succeeding Rep. Erin Healy of Sioux Falls, who did not seek reelection. Emery previously served as assistant minority leader in 2025-26. Emery is the third tribal member to lead a legislative caucus, following Senator Troy Heinert, who was senate majority leader from 2019-22, and Representative Will Mortenson, who was house majority leader from 2023-24.
Joining Emery as assistant house minority leader will be Rep. Kadyn Wittman of Sioux Falls, who served as minority whip in 2025-26. Rounding out the House Democratic leadership team are minority whips Nicole Uhre-Balk of Rapid City and Sonja Mentzer of Sioux Falls.
Emery, Wittman, and Uhre-Balk are the only three returning members of the House Democratic caucus, which boasts seven first-time legislators, including Mentzer.
