South Dakota State Representative Peri Pourier has officially changed her party affiliation from Democrat to Republican, according to a public announcement posted on her Facebook page.
Pourier, who represents District 27 — encompassing Bennett, Haakon, Jackson, Oglala Lakota, and Pennington counties — cited a commitment to tribal sovereignty and community protection as key reasons for the switch.
Pourier wrote. “Leaders who fail to adapt will leave their communities vulnerable. I refuse to be passive,” “I will not wait for permission to protect our children, our elders, and our homelands. I will be present where decisions are made — to ensure our voices are not just heard but prioritized.”
She emphasized that the Republican Party’s values — including decentralized government, self-determination, economic prosperity, lower energy costs, and robust public safety — align with the principles of tribal sovereignty.
Pourier’s announcement marks a significant shift in South Dakota’s political landscape, particularly within Native American representation in the state legislature.
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