Tom Lawrence is a longtime political reporter and columnist in South Dakota. His current publication, The South Dakota Standard, is … More
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Official statement from Gov. Wollman’s family
Note: This statement was issued on behalf of the Wollman family by Jody Severson, who served in Governor Wollman’s administration … More
Gov. Harvey Wollman 1935-2022
Harvey Lowell Wollman, twenty-sixth Governor of South Dakota, died Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at the age of 87. His death … More
Gordon Mydland passes on
The news comes of the passing of Gordon Mydland, a former South Dakota attorney general and circuit court judge. Mydland, … More
“History 605” podcast features Plains Political Tradition, Vol. 4
The “History 605” podcast debuted last year, an innovation of Dr. Ben Jones, the state historian and host. Each episode … More
History in the Making: 2022 Gubernatorial Milestones
The 2022 gubernatorial election is little more than a month away. Voters will choose between the incumbent governor, Republican Kristi … More
Joe Kirby writes on “The Artist in the South Dakota Penitentiary”
Yesterday on his personal blog, Joe Kirby wrote an interesting post about Frederick H. Morse, a portrait painter who spent … More
The Plains Political Tradition, Vol. 4 is released
Today is the release date for The Plains Political Tradition: Essays on South Dakota Political Culture, Volume 4. This is … More
Campaigning on Crutches
Governor Kristi Noem announced this morning that, following a back injury a few weeks ago, she underwent back surgery at … More
South Dakota and the Queen
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II yesterday is major worldwide news. Although a constitutional monarch, she is a major world … More
SoDakGovs: As Seen in “The Dakota Scout”
The Dakota Scout, a new newspaper published by longtime political reporters Jonathan Ellis and Joe Sneve, released today its second … More
Plains Political Tradition vol. 4 available for pre-order
The Plains Political Tradition: Essays on South Dakota Political Culture, Volume 4 is now available for pre-order from the South … More
SD Legislative Districts, 1889-2021
Recently, legislative redistricting enthusiast Cully Williams shared on Twitter every South Dakota legislative district map since statehood in 1889. Maps … More
George McGovern at 100
One hundred years ago today, George Stanley McGovern was born in the small South Dakota town of Avon. McGovern’s life … More
SD’s “Million Vote Club”
Updated to reflect the results of the 2022 and 2024 general elections. There are many ways to measure South Dakota’s … More
Jackley joins a short list of unopposed nominees
The South Dakota Democratic Party held its state convention this weekend to adopt its platform and nominate candidates for statewide … More
Jennifer Keintz is Jamie Smith’s running mate
Today, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jamie Smith announced that he will ask the State Democratic Convention to nominate Jennifer Healy Keintz, … More
Noem releases autobiography
Governor Kristi Noem released yesterday her autobiography, Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland. The book is a first … More
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. … More
LG selection through the years
The recent 2022 State Republican Convention in Watertown featured a rare contested ballot for the lieutenant governor nomination. Lt. Governor … More
SD GOP looks to November
The South Dakota Republican Party held its state convention in Watertown June 23-25, 2022. News outlets have noted a record-setting … More
Ravnsborg removed in historic impeachment trial
Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg was removed today from his office, and barred from serving in state office, following a trial … More
Three new statues complete Trail of Governors
This morning, three new statues were unveiled for the Trail of Governors in Pierre: Andrew E. Lee, Frank M. Byrne, … More
2022 Trail of Governors preview
This Friday, the Trail of Governors in Pierre will unveil and place three new statues. The unveiling is at 10 … More
LG-stakes 2022
With the primary elections behind us, attention now turns to the upcoming Republican and Democratic party conventions. Governor Kristi Noem … More
Noem wins most votes for governor in SD primary history
The 2022 primary season is over, as Governor Kristi Noem, U.S. Senator John Thune, and Congressman Dusty Johnson all fended … More
Daugaard selected for SD Hall of Fame
The South Dakota Hall of Fame this week announced its class of inductees for 2022. The Hall, which is located … More
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 … More
Farewell to Red Allen
The news comes that Carrol “Red” Allen passed away on May 3, 2022. Allen, a Democrat, served a total of … More
State House passes first-ever impeachment
Today, the State House of Representatives voted, 36-31, to impeach Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg. The impeachment resolution, which included two … More
Don Barnett remembers the Rapid City flood
Don Barnett was a 29-year-old second-year Mayor of Rapid City in June 1972 when his city was struck by the … More
When Gov. Bulow vetoed the state budget
The last week of the legislative session always focuses on finalizing the state budget. As the news reports on the … More
A personal note
Readers of this blog might be interested to know that I have decided to run for the South Dakota State … More
Henry A. Poppen turns 100
My grandfather, Henry A. Poppen, was born one hundred years ago today, on February 12, 1922, on his parents farm … More
The Dem Dozen
This week, House Minority Leader Jamie Smith launched his 2022 candidacy for governor. Smith joins a Democratic Party field that … More
Jamie Smith, Dem leader, to run for Governor
Austin Goss of Dakota News Now reports today that, according to his sources, House Minority Leader Jamie Smith will seek … More
First Dem launches Gov bid
Update: Hulse will not be the only Democratic candidate, as House Minority Leader Jamie Smith is joining the field. Further … More
John Thune goes for Four
U.S. Senator John Thune announced today that he will seek a fourth six-year term in the U.S. Senate. The announcement … More
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 … More
The Over 25 Club: SD’s longest-serving state officials
Updated to reflect the results of the 2022 and 2024 elections and the death of Senator Tim Johnson. Public service … More
Bob Dole, “South Dakota’s third senator,” dies
The news breaks that Bob Dole died this morning. Dole, a World War II hero, was a major figure in … More
Haugaard takes on Noem, and history
The news today reports that Steven G. Haugaard will challenge Governor Kristi Noem in the 2022 Republican gubernatorial primary. The … More
Impeachment in South Dakota
On November 9, the South Dakota State Legislature will meet in special session to consider the impeachment of Attorney General … More
Gov. Farrar to lie in state
The Office of Governor Kristi Noem today that former Gov. Frank Farrar, who died on October 31, will lie in … More
Gov. Wollman remembers Gov. Farrar
Bob Mercer has a nice interview on KELOLAND.com with former Governor Harvey Wollman, remembering his longtime friendship with former Governor … More
Terry Woster on Jim Soyer
Colleagues, friends, and family gathered today in Sioux Falls to bid a final farewell to Jim Soyer, a former chief … More
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, … More
Gov. Frank Farrar 1929-2021
Frank Leroy Farrar, twenty-fourth Governor of South Dakota, has died. The former governor passed away early this morning in Rochester, … More
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 … More
Special Legislative Sessions in South Dakota
The South Dakota State Legislature has met in special session thirty-one times. Twenty-seven times, the special session was called by … More
SoDak Governors 