‘Zombie’ bill to change South Dakota candidate selections back, again

Many skeptics agree that floor debate on contentious topic necessary

A projector from the 2022 South Dakota Republican convention in Watertown shows the results of the race for Secretary of State. (Austin Goss/The Dakota Scout)

PIERRE – More South Dakotans could soon have a hand in selecting their political party’s nominees for certain statewide political offices. 

Sound familiar? 

That’s because it's the third time in a year that the House State Affairs Committee has been asked to consider a change in the way that the two major political parties select their candidates for the General Election.

Though this time, points out State Rep. Tyler Tordsen – House Bill 1198’s prime sponsor – the ask is different. Compared to the previous two attempts at legislation to change the state’s convention process, this bill would only move the secretary of state and attorney general races to a primary ballot, and allow candidates for governor to pick their lieutenant governor. Down-ballot races for auditor, treasurer, public utilities commissioners, and the commissioner of school and public lands would continue to be selected at conventions – setting this effort apart from the two legislative efforts that came before it.

The Sioux Falls freshman argues that the bill strikes a balance between involving more voters in the election process, and still giving the convention a role in selecting some candidates.

“I have spent the last couple weeks listening, learning, and adapting,” Tordsen said Monday morning, referring to a resolution he brought last month that would have asked voters in November whether or not to move all statewide elected offices to a primary ballot. The same committee defeated that bill. “I believe that this bill strikes the balance that can lend respect to all interested parties.” 

Tordsen’s effort attracted familiar friends and foes during its initial legislative hearing, including South Dakota Republican Party Chair John Wiik, who asked the committee to kill the bill. Both Tordsen and Wiik said they did not consult with each other on this bill’s language.

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