Peter Robinson of the Hoover Institute hosts an interview program called “Uncommon Knowledge.” He often credits Clare Booth Luce for … More
Tag: Cumulative data
SD Legislature sees big shift in occupations from 1973-2023
South Dakota is proud to have a part-time, citizen legislature. Legislators meet in Pierre for a few weeks each winter, … More
Is Union Center the smallest SD town to produce a governor?
With the announcement this week that Governor Kristi Noem will accept a position in the Trump cabinet as Secretary of … More
Republicans gain as women reach new high in SD Legislature
The 2024 general election is in the books, as voters have once again elected Republican supermajorities to the South Dakota … More
What to watch for on Election Day 2024
Election Day is finally here. Once the polls are closed and the results are known, this blog will write about … More
Biggest presidential winners in South Dakota
South Dakota has cast its electoral votes in 33 elections since gaining statehood in 1889. The Democratic ticket has carried … More
The history (and future?) of South Dakota’s state flag
The news reports this week that Sen. Reynold Nesiba is considering legislation to create a commission to recommend a new … More
SD Democrats fall to 3rd
During the lead-up to the 2022 general election, SD political reporters wrote about the Republican Party’s continued growth in the … More
A look at the Chiefs of Staff to the Governor
An updated version of this post is available on the Online Almanac of South Dakota Politics, here. The news today … More
Maps of every SD Gov election added to Online Almanac
New this week, the Online Almanac of South Dakota Politics has added county-by-county maps depicting the results of every general … More
Women and tribal members reach new highs in solidly Republican SD Legislature
The 2022 general election is in the books, and voters have once again elected Republican supermajorities to the South Dakota … More
SoDakGovs debuts Online Almanac of South Dakota politics
Just in time for the 2022 general election, SoDakGovs is launching an Online Almanac of South Dakota politics. Since this … More
Republicans gain in voter registration
The lead-up to the 2022 general election has generated renewed discussion about the Republican Party’s advantage in voter registration in … 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
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
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
Trail of Governors gallery
The Trail of Governors in Pierre was initiated in 2011, with its first statues unveiled in 2012. This slideshow includes … 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
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
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
“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
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
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
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
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
Libertarians and the modern history of minor party candidates for SD Governor
This weekend, the Libertarian Party of South Dakota made itself the first in 2018 to complete a gubernatorial ticket, nominating … 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
Dusty and Shantel try to make history
Kristi Noem’s pursuit of the Governor’s Office leaves an open seat in Washington. Three Republicans – former Public Utilities Commissioner … More
LG-stakes: What history tells us about 2018 running mates
With the 2018 gubernatorial campaign coming into full swing, it’s not too early to start speculating about the candidates’ potential … More
Frank Farrar sets the pace
April 2, 2018 is Gov. Frank Farrar’s 89th birthday. Remarkably, 2018 is the 50th anniversary of Farrar’s 1968 election as … More
Lutherans most common among SD Governors
To date, South Dakota’s thirty-three governors have all considered themselves to be Christian. Thirty-one of them have been members of … More
SD Governors’ alma maters
Of the 33 men and one woman who have served as Governor of South Dakota, 21 have held at least … More
Oldest and Youngest SD GOV’s
Updated to reflect the result of the primary election. An updated version of this post has been added to the … More
SoDak Governors 