<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=24lG7c_1GuzzsQw00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=24lG7c_1GuzzsQw00" width="840" height="472" ><figcaption>SDPB South Dakota Capitol building</figcaption></figure>The past two years in the South Dakota Legislature, Republican leadership has been more skeptical of state-backed economic development. It was a shift from traditional Republican leadership seen in Pierre.Now, the tide has turned back, as the new crop of legislative leadership also sees a few "firsts." Every election year, lawmakers elect new leaders for their party within the Legislature. Positions like majority leader and whip play a big role in setting the legislative tone each session.Republican leadership the past two years, particularly in the House, was generally cooler on state-led economic development projects. This came after a fight over Summit Carbon Solution’s carbon pipeline.In 2024, voters ousted some lawmakers who voted for a bill opponents say favored the pipeline. Candidates who defeated those incumbents were typically more hesitant on taxpayer-backed economic development policy. They ultimately passed a bill that was called a “kill shot” to the Summit pipeline.This past primary, some of those candidates who won in 2024 lost. The state Republican party, at face value, appears to be shifting back to pro-economic development majority.Brookings Senator Tim reed is tabbed to be the Senate President Pro Tempore, pending a vote of the body. Casey Crabtree is Majority Leader. which he held in 2022 and '23. Hot Springs Sen. Amber Hulse is Assistant Majority Leader.The only Senators who were on this past year’s leadership team are Pierre Sen. Jim Mehlhaff and Spearfish Sen. Randy Deibert, both seen as pro-growth Republicans.On the House side, similar change occurred. Yankton Rep. Mike Stevens is tabbed as the GOP nominee for House Speaker, pending a House vote.Sioux Falls Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt will be Majority Leader. She'll be the first woman in state history to serve in the position. Sioux Falls Rep. Amber Arlint is nominee for Speaker Pro Tempore. Meanwhile, Rep. Drew Peterson is Assistant Majority Leader.On the Democrats’ side, Sioux Falls Sen. Liz Larson will remain Minority Leader. She's one of two Democrats in the state Senate, one less than the previous legislative session.Rep. Eric Emery is the House Minority leader. He's the first tribal member to lead the minority party in the House. He’ll lead the largest group of Democrats in the body since 2020.House Majority (Republican) Leadership:<ul><li>Speaker of the House Nominee: Mike Stevens</li><li>Speaker Pro Tempore Nominee: Amber Arlint</li><li>Majority Leader: Taylor Rehfeldt</li><li>Assistant Majority Leader: Drew Peterson</li><li>Majority Whip: Nick Fosness</li><li>Majority Whip: Melissa Heermann</li><li>Majority Whip: Brian Mulder</li><li>Majority Whip: Matt Roby</li><li>Majority Whip: Mike Wesigram</li></ul>Senate Majority (Republican) Leadership:<ul><li>President Pro Tempore Nominee: Tim Reed</li><li>Majority Leader: Casey Crabtree</li><li>Assistant Majority Leader: Amber Hulse</li><li>Majority Whip: Randy Deibert</li><li>Majority Whip: Helene Duhamel</li><li>Majority Whip: Jim Mehlhaff</li><li>Majority Whip: Stephanie Sauder</li></ul>House Minority (Democratic) Leadership:<ul><li>Minority Leadership: Eric Emery</li><li>Assistant Minority Leader</li><li>Minority Whip: Nicole Uhre-Balk</li><li>Minority Whip: Sonja Mentzer</li></ul>Senate Minority (Democratic) Leadership:<ul><li>Minority Leader: Liz Larson</li><li>Assistant Minority Leader: Erik Muckey</li></ul></div></body>

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The past two years in the South Dakota Legislature, Republican leadership has been more skeptical of state-backed economic development. It was a shift from traditional Republican leadership seen in Pierre. Now, the tide has turned back, as the new crop of legislative leadership also sees a few "firsts." Every election...

Legislative leadership announced; Shows changing tides, a few 'firsts'

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The past two years in the South Dakota Legislature, Republican leadership has been more skeptical of state-backed economic development. It was a shift from

Legislative leadership announced; Shows changing tides, a few 'firsts'

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