The Legislative Research Council, for years, has maintained the Legislator Historical Listing, which is a searchable database of every person … More
Tag: State Legislature
South Dakota Law Review highlights the SD State Legislature
Volume 70, Issue 3 of The South Dakota Law Review is out. Prompted by the South Dakota State Legislature’s 100th session, … More
Address in honor of the 100th Legislative Session
It was this blogger’s honor to chair the planning committee for the commemorations of the 100th Legislative Session. In that … More
Termesphere unveiled to commemorate 100th Legislative Session
Over the past several months, state legislators have celebrated the milestone of the 100th Legislative Session, which concluded in late … More
New book celebrates 100th Legislative Session
This weekend, current and former legislators will gather for an all-legislator reunion in Pierre, a celebration that is the culmination … More
Rhoden picks Tony Venhuizen for LG
Note: I find myself in the awkward position of writing a historical blog post about myself. I am just going … More
100th Legislative Session celebrates milestones
This Tuesday, January 14, 2025 marks the first day of the 100th Session of the South Dakota State Legislature. South … More
South Dakota History in 2024
As the year comes to a close, we think back on the year that was. It was a historic year … More
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
Appropriators honor Jean Hunhoff
The 2024 election and its aftermath has brought about many significant stories in South Dakota politics, from John Thune’s election … More
SD Democrats elect first two women as legislative leaders
The 2025 South Dakota State Legislature will have more female members than ever before, and it will also feature the … More
SD legislative Republicans elect leadership
Tuesday’s general election delivered a 32-3 Republican majority in the State Senate and a 64-6 Republican majority in the State … 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
It’s official: No vetoes from Governor Noem in 2024
Governor Kristi Noem announced today that she has signed the state budget bills, the last remaining bills before her for … More
Podcast series by SDPB’s Strubinger a major contribution to SD History
This week, Lee Strubinger, the Politics & Public Policy Reporter for South Dakota Public Broadcasting, released a nine-part serial podcast … More
South Dakota History in 2023
As the year comes to a close, we think back on the year that was. The year began as Gov. … More
“The Dakota Scout” features SoDakGovs post on Hoghouse
Amidst its fine coverage of the South Dakota State Legislature, this week’s print edition of The Dakota Scout once again features content … More
Guest post: Women in SD politics
State Sen. Erin Tobin of Winner is the prime sponsor of Senate Joint Resolution 505, a proposed constitutional amendment that … More
The origin of the “Hoghouse” in the South Dakota State Legislature
As with any institution, the South Dakota State Legislature has its own traditions, procedures, and jargon. Many are common to … More
Senate makes history in action against Frye-Mueller
On Wednesday and Thursday, the South Dakota State Senate acted against Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller for what the Argus Leader described … More
South Dakota History in 2022
As the year comes to a close, we think back on the year that was. We saw new arrivals and … More
Guest post: Technology’s effect on the Legislature: Doing the people’s work in the modern age
A guest post by Augustana University student and 2022 legislative intern Noah Greble. We often reflect on the ways that … More
SD House Republicans pick leadership team
Tuesday’s general election delivered Republicans a 63-7 majority in the State House of Representatives – a gain of one seat and … More
SoDakGovs featured in “The Dakota Scout”
This week’s print edition of The Dakota Scout once again features content from this blog. The November 17-23, 2022 includes … More
SD Democrats elect legislative leadership
Democratic legislators have elected their leaders for the next two years. Leading the minority caucus in the Senate will be … More
SD Senate Republicans elect new leaders
Tuesday’s general election delivered Republicans a 31-4 majority in the State Senate – a loss of one seat but still … 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
Partisan control of the South Dakota State Legislature (2022)
This is an update of a post first written prior to the 2016 general election, and last updated with the … 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Harvey Wollman stands alone
It was good this week to see Gov. Harvey Wollman at the Buffalo Roundup in Custer State Park. Gov. Wollman … More
Old Bulls of the SD Legislature
Roger McKellips’ death last week was the latest signal of the passing of a by-gone era. Most of the longtime … More
Lt. Gov. Matt Michels reaches milestone
Governor Dennis Daugaard opened his 2017 State of the State Address by recognizing a milestone reached by Lt. Governor Matt … More
History made in 2016
Every general election makes history, in some way. Here are a few historical notes on the 2016 election in South … More
2016 Election Preview: South Dakota State Legislature
This is the fifth of several posts previewing the Tuesday election through a historical lens. The first part was an introduction; the second … More
2016 Election Preview: GOP winning streak may continue, but it’s nowhere close to historic highs.
This is the fourth of several posts previewing the Tuesday election through a historical lens. The first part was an introduction; the second … More
SoDak Governors 