Dakota Political Junkies

South Dakota's Republican Secretary of State is urging voters to elect a Democrat to replace her. SDPB's Dakota Political Junkies explore the breadth of the office.

Brian Bengs is positioning himself as an alternative to politics-as-usual. Is the electorate looking for that kind of change? Political scientists Lisa Hager, Ph.D., and David Wiltse, Ph.D., say the road is rocky for candidates working outside the two-party system.

As state Democrats try to build momentum during the summer political doldrums, Murdoc (Brad Jurgenson) has thoughts on where they might put their focus for maximum results.

President Trump's executive order about a U.S. Postal Service rule is before the U.S. Supreme Court. How much can a president weigh in on how elections are conducted?

Gov. Larry Rhoden was not your typical incumbent. Yet he used his office to reset relationships and convince Republican primary voters he was the right candidate to carry the GOP banner in November. Seth Tupper offers analysis into Rhoden's win.

Gov. Larry Rhoden bested Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden in a Republican runoff election. Rhoden will face Democrat Dan Ahlers in November. But first, both candidates thanked their supporters in election night speeches.

SDPB's Dakota Political Junkies discuss key successes and missteps in gubernatorial runoff campaigns.

SDPB and South Dakota News Watch partnered to host candidate conversations with the two men seeking the Republican nomination in the South Dakota gubernatorial race.

Mayday Health is seeking to block a South Dakota law that prevents advertising abortion pill information in the state. Journalist Seth Tupper brings insight from inside the courtroom.

South Dakota Republican voters may have a few weeks of peace from aggressive campaign messaging, but get ready for the final push from the top two Republican vote-getters. Journalist Jonathan Ellis offers insight into what's ahead.

Candidates Dusty Johnson and Jon Hansen did not make the Republican runoff election. But in a four-way race, not winning doesn't equate to losing. Journalist Kevin Woster takes a look at what it means to win in American politics.

Voters might see entirely different ads in the two weeks leading up to the South Dakota primary. SDPB's Dakota Political Junkies discuss whose ads are working, whose are nonexistent, and whether or not the Republican race for governor has a "nice guy" poised for a surge.

Two South Dakota Republican gubernatorial primary debates are in the books, and one more is on the horizon. We get a preview with this week's Dakota Political Junkies.

Four Republican candidates for governor sought to separate themselves from each other in order to woo primary voters. SDPB's Dakota Political Junkies ask: Were any of them successful?

The Artemis II astronauts have shared messages of unity and beauty from their vantage point in space. The Dakota Political Junkies consider what this moment might mean for political discourse.

How did a Democrat from Sioux Falls manage to get a bill to support school lunches over the finish line? South Dakota Searchlight Editor-in-Chief Seth Tupper explains the role of compromise in state politics.

The rules of the U.S. Senate allow amendments that have little to do with the original legislation. Here's how Republicans are using transgender issues to "electrify their base" as the war in Iran blazes on.

Dakota Political Junkies Jean Hunhoff and Linda Duba discuss property tax reduction measures signed by the governor. Will the "largest property tax cut in South Dakota history" stand the test of time?

Dakota Political Junkies Patrick Lalley and Jonathan Ellis offer insight into what's next for Noem. We also explore the final days of the South Dakota legislative session.

Dakota Political Junkies Lisa Hager and David Wiltse discuss Trump at war and America's attention span.

As lawmakers dive deep into debate over everything from charter schools to property taxes, do they risk attempting too much and accomplishing too little?

Dakota Political Junkies Jon Hunter and Michael Card, Ph.D., offer insight into Dusty Johnson's latest campaign ads. They also discuss DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's latest public struggles.

Gov. Larry Rhoden is open about his own leadership values, even while defending his predecessor. Seth Tupper looks at what the governor says, and how it's perceived.

Dakota Political Junkies Linda Duba and Jean Hunhoff discuss the property tax debate and how it intersects with economic development.

Dakota Political Junkies Jonathan Ellis and Patrick Lalley examine dueling visions of economic growth in South Dakota.

Dakota Political Junkies Jon Hunter and Michael Card, Ph.D., discuss civility, chastity, and the opening of South Dakota's 101st legislative session

SDPB's Dakota Political Junkies discuss how polarization impacts the ability to craft effective policy

SDPB's Dakota Political Junkies discuss forgone revenue and spending flubs that have altered the state's budget outlook

From the governor's priorities to legislator reaction, we recap the budget address and ask what it means for the people of South Dakota.

Fifty-seven percent of Republicans who responded say if the primary were held today, they would cast their vote for Marty Jackley. SDPB's Dakota Political Junkies offer analysis on the limitations of those numbers.

Our Dakota Political Junkies discuss how the government shutdown started, how both parties are playing the blame game, and how it could one day end.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth took to social media to announce that the medals awarded after the Wounded Knee Massacre won't be recalled. Journalist Seth Tupper takes listeners into his coverage.

Our Dakota Political Junkies explore how political messaging has changed over time, and they preview how candidates may talk about their opponents in the next election.

Our Dakota Political Junkies share news from the governor's officer. They offer their analysis of the next step in South Dakota's prison plan.

Kevin Woster recently saw a shirt proclaiming, "This city belongs to Jesus." He and fellow Dakota Political Junkie Seth Tupper discuss how religion intersects with government.

Our Dakota Political Junkies preview the upcoming special legislative session. Plus, what legislators watch for nationally when planning for the state's budget.

The White House wants states to remember our heroes. Our Dakota Political Junkies explore who could be memorialized in a new statue garden in the Black Hills.

Michael Card, Ph.D., and Jon Hunter examine your potential 2026 ballot. What messages are candidates sharing now to sway your vote?

Long-time journalist Kevin Woster analyzes the impacts of shuttering newspapers in Brookings, Huron, Redfield and Flandreau.

Our Dakota Political Junkies take a closer look at the goals of South Dakota's new immigration enforcement initiative. And based on those goals, how do we know it's working?

Our Dakota Political Junkies explore how President Trump may be claiming more spending power than previous administrations.

Two former appropriators who were on the first prison committee unpack the final recommendations from the Project Prison Reset committee.

President Donald Trump's budget bill will enact much of his domestic agenda. Our Dakota Political Junkies discuss how the tax and program cuts could be felt here at home.

A ProPublica investigative report alleges Noem took a cut of political donations and didn't disclose it. Our Dakota Political Junkies offer their analysis.

Our Dakota Political Junkies discuss how some political actions are being buried right in barrage of stories and headlines.

In light of recent shootings, we explore a poll that showed a troubling rise in the percentage of people who said political violence could be "justified."

Our Dakota Political Junkies discuss the two candidates in the running for the 2026 governor's race (so far): Jon Hansen and Toby Doeden.

Former legislators Jean Hunhoff and Linda Duba unpack what they found unsurprising in the new prison report. Plus, a look at bureaucracy in the state. Do we need a DOGE?

Our Dakota Political Junkies discuss why Secretary Kristi Noem's commencement address at Dakota State University sparked protests. Plus, a "raid" on a Madison business.

For Republicans thinking about re-election, our Dakota Political Junkies say they have to carefully weigh their words and actions in the current environment.