The South Dakota Democratic Party applauds the newly elected caucus leaders for the upcoming legislative session, including two legislators who made history.

On the Senate side, Sen. Liz Larson (District 10 – Sioux Falls) will take on the role of Minority Leader. Sen. Jamie Smith (District 15 – Sioux Falls) was elected as the Assistant Minority Leader and Sen. Red Dawn Foster (District 27 – Pine Ridge) will become the Minority Whip.

On the House side, Rep. Erin Healy (District 10 – Sioux Falls) was elected as the Minority Leader. Rep. Eric Emery (District 26A – Rosebud) will take on the role of Assistant Minority Leader and Rep. Kadyn Wittman (District 15 – Sioux Falls) and Rep. Nicole Uhre-Balk (District 32 – Rapid City) will be the Minority Whips.

Sen. Larson and Rep. Healy are the first two women to lead a Democratic caucus in the South Dakota legislature.

Sen. Liz Larson
Senate Minority Leader

“It is truly an honor and a privilege to be elected as Minority Leader in the Senate,” said Sen. Larson. “I am deeply grateful for the support and encouragement from my colleagues, as well as to the constituents of District 10 who elected me.

During my last term, I focused on building relationships in the Senate based on our shared values and experiences as South Dakotans. This was an intentional effort to counter divisiveness in our state, much of which stems from narratives that did not originate in South Dakota. As Minority Leader, I will continue working to bridge divides, foster respectful political dialogue, and emphasize our commonalities, while remaining dedicated to the principles upon which the Democratic Party is built: freedom, justice, and equality.”

Rep. Erin Healy
House Minority Leader

“I am honored to be elected as House Minority Leader, and I thank my fellow Democrats for their trust and commitment to our shared vision,” said Rep. Healy. “This leadership role is about serving the people of our state with a dedication to the values we hold as Democrats—fairness, equity, opportunity, and justice for all.

Our caucus is committed to championing priorities that directly improve lives: expanding access to affordable healthcare, investing in quality education, fighting for economic fairness, and supporting our Native American communities. We believe that every individual deserves the chance to thrive, and we will work tirelessly to ensure these values guide every debate, every decision, and every vote.

As Minority Leader, I will lead with a focus on unity, resilience, and purpose. Together, our caucus will stand up for the issues that matter most to the people we serve. We know the challenges we face, and we know our vision is possible—by putting people first and staying true to our principles, we can build a state that reflects the best of who we are.”

For questions, you can contact the SDDP Executive Director Dan Ahlers at [email protected] or 605-940-3071. You can also contact the SDDP office at 605-271-5405 or email [email protected].