Talking through the Governors on “Dakota Town Hall”

“Dakota Town Hall” is a weekly politics podcast hosted by Brad “Murdoc” Jurgensen and Jake Schoenbeck. With the summer bringing … More

SD Gov comebacks

Grover Cleveland, as every grade schooler learns, is the only U.S. President to serve two non-consecutive terms. Bill Janklow is … More

Five Guvs at the State Capitol

The South Dakota State Capitol is a special place. It’s a place where South Dakotans gather to discuss issues and … 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

SD’s “Million Vote Club”

Updated to reflect the results of the 2022 general election. There are many ways to measure South Dakota’s top political … More

LG selection through the years

The recent State Republican Convention in Watertown featured a rare contested ballot for the lieutenant governor nomination. Lt. Governor Larry … 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

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

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 times. Twenty-six times, the special session was called by … More

Janklow on 9/11

“There will be no nonsense tolerated by anybody.” Gov. Bill Janklow, as quoted by the Associated Press on September 18, … More

Term Limits and Dick Kneip

When South Dakota became a state in 1889, the state constitution included no term limits on the Governor or on … More

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

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

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

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

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

History in the making: 2018 primary

Here’s a look at some of the history that could be made in Tuesday’s GOP gubernatorial primary. If Kristi Noem … More

MAPS! (of SD GOP gubernatorial primaries)

It is just over three weeks until the South Dakota’s Republican gubernatorial primary, which pits Congresswoman Kristi Noem against Attorney … More

AG’s and US Rep’s running for governor

The 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary pits Congresswoman Kristi Noem against Attorney General Marty Jackley. If elected, both would achieve certain … More

SD Attorneys General at the U.S. Supreme Court

Updated June 21, 2018 to reflect the State of South Dakota’s victory in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. On April 17, … More

Running mates in the primary

The campaign between Congresswoman Kristi Noem and Attorney General Marty Jackley for the Republican gubernatorial nomination is heating up, and … More