South Dakota Republicans Nominate New Senate Leadership Team

Republican senators in South Dakota nominated a new leadership team on Friday, selecting Tim Reed as president pro tempore, Casey Crabtree as majority leader, and Amber Hulse as assistant majority leader. Randy Deibert, Helene Duhamel, Jim Mehlhaff, and Stephanie Sauder were appointed as majority whips.

This leadership shakeup follows a multi-year internal party struggle regarding the state's role in economic development and the use of eminent domain for carbon-capture pipelines. The conflict previously led Governor Larry Rhoden to sign a law banning eminent domain for such projects, prompting Summit Carbon Solutions, LLC to reroute its proposal around the state. The changes also follow a June primary in which 16 incumbent legislators were ousted.

Senate Democrats announced that Liz Larson will remain minority leader, with Erik Muckey serving as assistant minority leader. The next legislative session is scheduled to begin January 12 in Pierre.