The Senate is the upper house of the South Dakota Legislature. It consists of 35 members, one representing each legislative district. It meets at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre.
South Dakota Senate | |
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South Dakota Legislature | |
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Type | |
Type | |
Term limits | 4 terms (8 years) |
History | |
New session started | January 14, 2025 |
Leadership | |
President pro tempore | |
Majority Leader | |
Minority Leader | |
Structure | |
Seats | 35 |
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Political groups | Majority party
Minority party
|
Length of term | 2 years |
Authority | Article III, South Dakota Constitution |
Salary | $12,850.80/session + $151 per legislative day[a][1] |
Elections | |
Last election | November 5, 2024 (35 seats) |
Next election | November 3, 2026 (35 seats) |
Redistricting | Legislative control |
Meeting place | |
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State Senate Chamber South Dakota State Capitol Pierre, South Dakota | |
Website | |
South Dakota State Legislature |
Composition
edit- 99th Legislature (2025)
Affiliation | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus)
|
Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Democratic | |||
92nd Legislature | 32 | 3 | 35 | |
98th Legislature | 31 | 4 | 35 | |
99th Legislature | 32 | 3 | 35 | |
Latest voting share | 91% | 9% |
Officers
editPosition | Name | Party | District |
---|---|---|---|
President Pro Tem of the Senate | Chris Karr | Republican | 11 |
Majority Leader | Jim Mehlhaff | Republican | 241 |
Assistant Majority Leader | Carl Perry | Republican | 34 |
Majority Whips | Randy Deibert | Republican | 31 |
Kevin Jensen | Republican | 16 | |
Sue Peterson | Republican | 13 | |
Tom Pischke | Republican | 25 | |
Minority Leader | Liz Larson | Democratic | 10 |
Assistant Minority Leader | Jamie Smith | Democratic | 15 |
Minority Whip | None | N/A |
List of current senators
editDiversity among senators
editIn 2010, Democrat Angie Buhl became the first openly LGBT person ever elected to the state legislature.[2] She served from 2011–2017.
Past composition of the Senate
editSee also
editNotes
edit- ^ Legislative pay must be one-fifth of median household income of South Dakota
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ "S.D. Legislators' salary raise strains budget". November 17, 2020.
- ^ Reese, Phil. "2012 proving busy year for Victory Fund". Washington Blade. Retrieved April 26, 2012.