South Dakotans deserve a government that is honest and accountable to the people it serves. Transparency isn't a partisan issue. It's a prerequisite for good government and the key to earning the public's trust. Too often, major decisions are made without meaningful public involvement. Whether it's the TIF proposal in Rapid City, the debate over the CO₂ pipeline, questions surrounding the use of the state airplane, or decisions about the location of the new state penitentiary

South Dakota agriculture has always been the backbone of our economy, but we cannot rely on doing things the same way we did in the past and expect different results. We need to diversify the crops and products we produce while expanding new markets for South Dakota farmers and ranchers. That means investing in homegrown entrepreneurs who want to create value-added opportunities here instead of watching those jobs leave the state. A perfect example is the Wakonda farmer who w

For Immediate Release December 7th, 2025 Governor Larry Rhoden’s first budget address sounded simple: a conservative plan with clear goals. But look closer and it is full of contradictions South Dakotans cannot ignore. There are claims that do not hold up, raising serious questions about honesty, transparency, and whether we are really being told the truth about our state’s finances. The governor talks about “limited government,” saying we should spend less and “do it well.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 20th, 2025 SIOUX FALLS, SD – SD Democratic Party Executive Director Dan Ahlers is urging Rep. Dusty Johnson to oppose the budget bill, calling it a "big, beautiful disaster for the State of South Dakota." "Do you represent Donald Trump or the people of South Dakota? It is that simple Congressman Johnson, " Ahlers said. "The President's 'big, beautiful bill' is a financial catastrophe for South Dakota and every person who calls this state home. This p