South Dakota Lawmaker Switches Democrat to Republican, Shrinking Minority to Record Low

South Dakota State Representative Peri Pourier, an Oglala Lakota tribal member representing District 27, announced her switch from the Democratic to the Republican Party, citing alignment between Republican principles and tribal sovereignty. Pourier highlighted Republican values such as decentralized government, self-determination, economic prosperity, lower energy costs, and strong public safety as consistent with tribal sovereignty, contrasting these with Democratic reforms she believes have undermined sovereignty. Her decision comes ahead of a special legislative session to vote on a state prison construction plan and left the South Dakota Legislature with the smallest number of Democrats since 1953. Pourier emphasized that her switch is driven by a commitment to directly address issues like poverty and violence in her community, rather than partisan loyalty. House Majority Leader Scott Odenbach invited her to join the Republican caucus, reflecting the GOP's substantial majority in the state legislature. Pourier's move reflects a strategic recalibration aimed at enhancing her ability to advocate for her constituents and achieve meaningful results.