Sixteen incumbent South Dakota lawmakers lost their seats in Tuesday’s Republican primary, marking another major shakeup following a similar wave in 2024.
The latest losses largely affected lawmakers first elected during the 2024 “earthquake,” when 14 incumbents were defeated and a large freshman class reshaped the Legislature. This year, many of those newcomers were among the defeated, signaling a shift back toward more traditional Republican leadership.
Unofficial results suggest new leadership in both the House and Senate is likely. According to reporting from South Dakota Searchlight, Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken, whose political action committee spent heavily to support challengers, said voters are seeking “practical, common-sense leaders.”
The results also dealt a major blow to the conservative Freedom Caucus, with most of its members either losing or not seeking reelection. Meanwhile, several former lawmakers regained seats, contributing to what observers describe as a pendulum swing away from the 2024 insurgent bloc.
Heavy spending by political action committees and business-backed groups played a key role in the outcomes, as did lingering divisions over issues such as carbon pipeline regulation and property rights.
While some races remain close enough for recounts, the outcome points to a Legislature that could look significantly different when it convenes in 2027.
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