Every election offers a new opportunity for “firsts” and other milestones. Four years ago, this blog wrote about the many milestones … More
Author: sodakgovs
Janklow and Oswald
The previous post, about Dakota Territorial Governor William Howard’s brush with the Lincoln assassination, reminded me of a fascinating story … More
Howard and Lincoln
William A. Howard is little-remembered today but he very nearly was a witness to one the most pivotal events in … More
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 … More
Farewell to Justin Cronin
Former state legislator Justin Cronin of Gettysburg died yesterday, much too soon, at the age of 40. Cronin had served … More
Presidential comebacks
Americans living today have never seen a former president seek a return to the Oval Office. The two-term limit is … More
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 … More
A big win for Dusty Johnson
To no one’s great surprise, first-term Congressman Dusty Johnson, a Republican, was easily reelected on Tuesday night. Johnson, after all, … More
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. … More
2020 Election Preview
This Tuesday, November 3 is Election Day. Every election makes history, and this blog has written several blog posts looking … More
Partisan control of the South Dakota State Legislature
This is an update of a post written prior to the 2016 general election. It was updated prior to the … More
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. … More
Will Trump keep the Rushmore State red?
This is an update of a post written prior to the 2016 election. Unofficial election results indicate Trump/Pence carried South … More
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 … More
Jean Hunhoff the SD Legislature’s longest-serving woman
Updated to reflect results of the 2020, 2022 and 2024 general elections – the article now assumes that those elected … More
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 … More
Mark Meierhenry exits the scene
Former Attorney General Mark Meierhenry died on July 29, 2020. Meierhenry was a colorful figure in South Dakota’s political history. … More
Presidential visits to Rushmore
On July 3, President Donald J. Trump visited Mount Rushmore to attend an Independence Day program that will feature fireworks … More
More Tributes to John E. Miller
Dr. John E. Miller’s death on May 1 is being felt across the South Dakota history community. Several nice articles … More
Jon Lauck remembers John Miller
Jon Lauck wrote the following and posted it on his Facebook page. With his permission I am posting it here … More
In memory of John E. Miller
Dr. John E. Miller died today at age 75. Dr. Miller was a longtime professor of history at South Dakota … More
Will Dusty be unopposed in November?
(Post updated May 13, 2020 to reflect filing deadlines.) Pending the result of the June Republican primary, Congressman Dusty Johnson … More
“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 … More
Remembering Deb Bowman
Deb Bowman passed away early on Tuesday morning, September 17, 2019. Deb succumbed to Stage IV lung cancer. She had … More
Should Beadle and Ward represent SD in Statuary Hall?
Overview of National Statuary Hall The National Statuary Hall collection was established in 1864, when Congress invited each state to … More
When Archie Gubbrud did “Candid Camera”
Following last week’s Trail of Governors unveiling, a friend reminded me of Archie Gubbrud’s unusual appearance on Candid Camera. Gubbrud, who … More
New Trail of Governors statues unveiled
Statues of Govs. Samuel H. Elrod, Archie Gubbrud, and Dennis Daugaard joined the Trail of Governors today. Gov. Elrod’s statue, … More
Dennis Daugaard: Trail of Governors Class of 2019
On Friday, June 14, 2019, the Trail of Governors unveiled three new statues: Samuel H. Elrod, Archie Gubbrud, and Dennis Daugaard. … More
Archie Gubbrud: Trail of Governors Class of 2019
On Friday, June 14, 2019, the Trail of Governors unveiled three new statues: Samuel H. Elrod, Archie Gubbrud, and Dennis Daugaard. … More
Samuel H. Elrod: Trail of Governors Class of 2019
On Friday, June 14, 2019, the Trail of Governors unveiled three new statues: Samuel H. Elrod, Archie Gubbrud, and Dennis Daugaard. … More
Presidential Greatness
President’s Day is a day to consider the history of the forty-four men who have served as President of the … More
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 the … More
Gov. Kristi Noem and the Next Generation
Congratulations to Kristi Noem, who was sworn in on January 5, 2019 as the 33rd Governor of South Dakota. Governor Noem’s … More
Governors after leaving office
On January 5, 2019, Gov. Dennis Daugaard will leave office as his successor, Kristi Noem, is sworn in as South … More
Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s portrait unveiled
The official portrait of Dennis Daugaard, the 32nd Governor of South Dakota, was unveiled this afternoon at the State Capitol. … More
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 … More
Noem is SD’s first female governor
Kristi Lynn Noem has been elected the 33rd Governor of South Dakota. The Hamlin County Republican and her running mate, … More
Turner County is SD GOV bellwether
During the primary, this blog identified Beadle and Davison counties as the best bellwethers for a Republican gubernatorial primary. That … More
Mike O’Connor dies
Michael J. O’Connor of Brandon died on October 24, 2018. O’Connor served in the State House of Representatives from 1971-72, … More
MAPS! (of general elections for SD Governor)
Updated to include a map of the 2022 general election. This site’s Online Almanac now includes county maps of every … More
South Dakota state symbols
Updated 2022. South Dakota has a number of symbols that represent our culture and traditions. You can find them all … More
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 … More
Timeline of female “firsts” in SD politics
Updated to reflect results of 2018 election, the 2019 appointment of Justice Devaney, and the 2020, 2022 and 2024 elections. … More
Presidential visits to South Dakota
An updated version of this post has been added here. Fifteen sitting presidents have made a total of twenty-five visits … More
New Trail of Governors statues placed
The 2018 class of new Trail of Governors statues were placed on Tuesday, July 24:
Noem and Sutton a historically rural matchup
The 2018 gubernatorial election has had a noticeably rural feel. Candidates Kristi Noem, Billie Sutton and Marty Jackley have all … More
Farewell to Dave Kranz
I posted this on Facebook and thought I would share it here as well. I was sorry just now to … More
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 … More
The many mustaches of SD Lt. Gov’s
South Dakota has had thirty-eight lieutenant governors. Twelve of them, or nearly one third, sported a mustache (using the Senate … More
Larry Rhoden is Noem’s running mate
Kristi Noem announced today her selection of Larry R. Rhoden as her running mate. She will ask the the State … More
SoDak Governors 