04 Sep, 2018

The Republican Party of South Dakota

 

An affiliate of the Republican Party in South Dakota, the Republican Party of South Dakota currently holds, as of 2015, all of the executive offices, the entire federal delegation, and supermajorities in both houses.

The South Dakota Republicans also control all seven statewide offices and hold majorities in the South Dakota Senate and the South Dakota House of Representatives, holding both of the state's U.S. Senate seats and the state's at-large congressional seat.

Headquartered in Pierre, South Dakota, the Party is best described by a conservative ideology (social and fiscal), while its representative colors and white, blue and red. The South Dakotan Republicans currently hold 29 out of 35 seats in the Upper House and 60 out of 70 seats in the Lower House.

“The South Dakota Republican Party believes that the fundamental principles of the Republican Party are rooted in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of South Dakota. The Party supports the preservation of our Republic, its ideals and institutions for the good of all Americans and adamantly opposes the erosion of these cherished freedoms.”

 

Leadership

Chairman – Dan Lederman

Serving as Union County GOP Chairman since 2005, Dan Lederman is a very committed Republican politician whose public service roles have included County Commissioner, State Representative and State Senator. He lives in Dakota Dunes and is the father of three children.

 

Vice Chair - Linda Rausch

After a long career of 26 years in manufacturing, engineering and construction management, Linda decided to move back to South Dakota. Currently serving her second term as a Meade County Commissioner, she also sells real estate.

 

National Committeeman – Ried Holien

A South Dakotan writer and business, Ried Holien was elected in 2010 to the State Senate from his hometown and served in that capacity for six years. After only a few years, more specifically in 2016, he became the National Committeeman representing South Dakota to the Republican National Committee.

 

 

National Committeewoman - Sandye Kading

Elected as the National Committeewoman from South Dakota in June 2012, Sandye Kading is a strong supporter of the Pro-Life movement and was a peer counselor at the Crisis Pregnancy Center and received training in Abortion Recovery Assistance. But that’s not all she’s involved in:

·         A member of the Concerned Women for America

·         A member of the South Dakota GOP Central Committee, the NFRW Campaign Committee, and the Legislative committee and Leadership Development Committee

·         A member of the SD Right to Life

Current Elected Officials

State

 

·         Governor: Dennis Daugaard

·         Lieutenant Governor: Matt Michels

·         Secretary of State: Shantel Krebs

·         Attorney General: Marty Jackley

·         State Auditor: Steve Barnett

·         State Treasurer: Rich Sattgast

·         Commissioner of School and Public Lands: Ryan Brunner

Federal

·         U.S. Senate

·         John R. Thune

·         Mike Rounds

·         U.S. House of Representatives

·         Kristi Noem, At-Large District

 

“The fundamental principles of the South Dakota Republican Party are rooted in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of South Dakota. The Party supports the preservation of our Republic, its ideals, and its institutions for the good of all Americans.”

 

 

Platform Summary

“We believe South Dakota is an exceptional place to live, raise a family, and pursue economic opportunity. To those ends, and for the people of our state, the South Dakota Republican Party commits itself to the following platform.”

INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY — “The rights of American citizens proceed from The Creator, not from government. Government authority proceeds only from the consent of the People. Individuals, including the unborn, have the intrinsic right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We affirm the sanctity of all human life.”

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY — “Individuals and families are responsible for their behavior. Public policy should encourage and empower their efforts to provide for their own health, safety, education, moral fortitude and personal wealth.”

PROPERTY RIGHTS — “We support private property rights as guaranteed by the fifth amendment to the United States Constitution.”

LIMITED GOVERNMENT — “Federal, state and local governments should be transparent and limited to their respective roles as essential to inherently governmental functions.”

TRIBAL RELATIONS — “We believe the best interests of all South Dakota citizens will result from working cooperatively with tribal governments.”

PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH AND THE RULE OF LAW — “National security, national sovereignty, public safety, the right to self-defense, the rule of constitutional and statutory law, and civil justice should be preserved without excessive burdens to civil liberty.”

LOWER TAXES — “The State should only collect taxes to fund legitimate government functions. Government taxes and fees should be limited to essential, inherently governmental functions.”

RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS — “We support the right of individuals to keep and bear arms, as confirmed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.”

FAMILY INTEGRITY AND THE AMERICAN MORAL TRADITION — “Traditional American families should be encouraged and moral values supported by policies to nurture strong marriages consisting of one man and one woman.”

QUALITY EDUCATION — “Parents have the first and primary responsibility of educating their children. We support access to locally controlled education.”

Economic Growth – “We support the creation of new jobs and economic development that will create a jobs environment that will enable our youth and adults to stay in the great State of South Dakota.”

Infrastructure – “We support the development of modern infrastructure to foster economic growth.”

Government Intrusion – “We believe economic activity thrives in an environment of limited government intrusion, and can be stifled by government overreach, and excessive taxation and overregulation, especially from the federal government. We believe government should not compete with private enterprise.”

“We support a lower tax burden, limited and effective spending at all government levels, as well as limiting growth of government.”

Quality Education – “We support our state's commitment to quality education consistent with Republican values. We support public, private, and home school educational opportunities.”

Equal Justice – “We support the fair and equal administration of justice to protect the public and their property, to assist victims of crime, punish as well as rehabilitate offenders, and assist in the transition of offenders into society.”

Families – “We recognize the family as the central core of society. We recognize parents and parental rights as the foundation and proper authority for South Dakota families.”

 

“We believe the strength of our nation derives from an adherence to Judeo-Christian values. We support our nation’s heritage of religious freedom and personal responsibility. Republicans recognize we must be proactive in defending freedom at every level. We believe in equal rights and equal justice for all.”