Wave of new faces could bring legislative overhaul to Pierre

At least a third of each chamber will turnover in 2025

(Austin Goss/The Dakota Scout)

The South Dakota Capitol is going to have a lot of new faces next year.

At least a dozen state lawmakers eligible to run for office this year have opted not to, while another dozen former lawmakers are looking to make a return to Pierre.

More than 200 South Dakotans have filed to run for 105 different legislative seats in the June 4 primary. Both the House and Senate chambers are set to see high turnover from their current membership.

Meanwhile, there could be an exodus of legislators who jump from one chamber to the other, which typically happens when a lawmaker hits the eight-year term limit for serving consecutively in either the House or Senate. They include Sioux Falls Republican Reps. Chris Karr and Sue Peterson, who are both running unopposed in the primary for Senate seats. As is Tea Republican Rep. Ernie Otten, who is looking to return to the Senate, where he served from 2013-2020.

NEWS: Rapid City principal accuses former boss of sexual grooming in lawsuit