Democrats are running candidates for only 46 of South Dakota’s 105 legislative seats this fall, leaving more than half of the Legislature without a Democratic challenger.
The party failed to field candidates for nearly two‑thirds of Senate seats and more than half of House seats. University of South Dakota political science professor emeritus Michael Card said the lack of candidates limits the party’s ability to influence policy and guarantees Republicans will retain control.
Democrats have just one legislative primary and no statewide primaries, while Republicans have candidates in nearly every legislative race and contentious statewide contests. Democrats have not held a statewide office since 2015 or a legislative majority since 1994.
Party leaders say they worked to recruit candidates and are focusing on building support around those who did step forward.
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