South Dakota
Scorecard rates South Dakota members of Congress poorly on pro-democracy positions • South Dakota Searchlight
South Dakota’s three members of Congress scored poorly on a watchdog group’s new Democracy Scorecard, which evaluates congressional positions on democracy-related bills and resolutions.
Common Cause is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1970 by Republican John W. Gardner, “the father of campaign finance reform” and President Lyndon Johnson’s secretary of health, education and welfare.
The organization’s 2024 scorecard gave South Dakota’s Republican Senators John Thune and Mike Rounds zeros out of 10 — zero meaning they took no pro-democracy positions on legislation analyzed by the organization— and Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson one out of 13.
Johnson’s one point reflects his vote to expel Rep. George Santos, R-New York. Common Cause said removing the representative for ethical violations was pro-democracy because it upheld accountability and integrity within the legislative body, ensuring trust in U.S. institutions.
None of the spokespeople for South Dakota’s congressional delegation offered a comment on the scorecard when contacted by South Dakota Searchlight.
No Republican scored greater than a two on the scorecard, and no Democrat received less than a seven.
Common Cause is critical of the 118th Congress, calling it one of the most dysfunctional in U.S. history, with many pro-democracy bills failing to move forward due to partisan gridlock.
The scorecard highlights how in January 2023, the House of Representatives took four days and 15 votes to elect Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-California, as speaker. Nine months later, the House made history by removing McCarthy, remaining at a standstill for three weeks before electing Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, as the new speaker.
Shortly after, the House expelled Santos. Then, this summer, Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, became the first sitting member of Congress to face charges of conspiracy to act as a foreign agent. He was subsequently convicted and resigned.
Legislation analyzed
The 2024 Democracy Scorecard evaluated members of Congress for their positions on bills and resolutions including the following:
- Democracy for All Amendment: The constitutional amendment would give Congress and state legislatures the authority to set “reasonable” limits on campaign spending and would effectively overturn the Citizens United v. FEC decision, which removed restrictions on corporate and union spending in elections.
- DISCLOSE Act: The bill would make foreign dark money political action committees illegal, ban foreign nationals from contributing to ballot initiatives and referendums, require the federal Government Accountability Office to study and report on foreign money in elections, and close some dark money loopholes.
- Judicial Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act/Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act: The bills would prohibit federal judges and Supreme Court justices from owning individual stocks and securities, restrict the solicitation or acceptance of gifts for judges, and establish a committee to review complaints against the Supreme Court.
- CISA’s budget: Some Republicans proposed cutting funding for a Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) initiative focused on election security; Common Cause argues cutting the funding weakens the country’s ability to safeguard elections from cyberattacks.
- Protecting Our Democracy Act: The broad reform bill’s key provision limits the president’s ability to grant pardons when there is a personal conflict of interest.
- Freedom to Vote Act: The bill would make Election Day a national holiday, promote early voting and automatically register U.S. citizens to vote.
- John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act: The bill would reinstate federal oversight in states with a history of discriminatory voting practices, including South Dakota.
- Washington, D.C., Admission Act: This bill would grant statehood to Washington, D.C.
- Democracy Restoration Act: The bill would restore voting rights to individuals with felony convictions after they have completed their prison sentences.
- Expelling Rep. George Santos: This resolution led to the expulsion of Rep. George Santos from Congress following a series of ethics allegations.
DemocracyScorecard_2024v6
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BURKE, S.D. – A Nebraska man who died in a single vehicle crash Tuesday evening, 10 miles east of Burke has been identified.
Preliminary crash information from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety indicates Roy Robert Cadwallader, 71, of Stuart, Nebraska, the driver of a 1939 Chevrolet JB Coupe, was traveling eastbound on Highway 18 when the vehicle left the roadway and entered the ditch. The vehicle struck an approach, went airborne, then rolled.
Cadwallander died at the scene.
The crash occurred at approximately 7:24 p.m. Tuesday, June 9 near mile marker 296, about 10 miles east of Burke in Gregory County. Seat belt use remains under investigation, according to the SDDPS.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. All information released so far is only preliminary. The Highway Patrol is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “Mitchell Republic.” Often, the “Mitchell Republic” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 13, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 13 drawing
03-13-44-50-53, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 4
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from June 13 drawing
06-13-31-35-48, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 05
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Dakota Cash numbers from June 13 drawing
04-10-18-28-30
Check Dakota Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 13 drawing
03-05-11-13-49, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
- Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
- Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.
When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.
America is in a race, one that will define global economic leadership for the next decade. China is aggressively
positioning
itself as a center for artificial intelligence development and deployment. The winner will capture enormous competitive advantages in innovation, job creation and geopolitical influence. But there’s a detail often overlooked in this high-stakes competition. None of it happens without reliable critical infrastructure, such as power and data centers.
Winning the AI race is fundamentally about establishing the critical infrastructure that powers innovation. AI systems rely on data centers, and data centers require electricity. If the United States intends to remain competitive, we must be able to build and power that infrastructure efficiently and affordably. That requires thoughtful policy, modernized permitting and a clear commitment to growth.
Data centers are not secondary to the tech economy. They are the foundation. The nation that builds and controls the most advanced, reliable and affordable data center infrastructure will lead in AI development and deployment.
Here in South Dakota, we have the essential components to build this critical infrastructure. Our affordable energy, vast land and strong workforce create the necessary conditions for establishing data center facilities that can compete globally. Tech employment in our state has grown
17 percent
in recent years, outpacing many parts of the country. This is a signal that South Dakota can support and sustain the specialized environment required for advanced infrastructure development.
But having these advantages is not enough. The window of opportunity is finite, and other states are mobilizing their own competitive advantages. If we want South Dakota to be where America builds the critical infrastructure that powers the AI future, we must act decisively. Supporting and enabling this infrastructure development is not a favor to industry. It is imperative for our state and our nation.
Establishing critical data center infrastructure in South Dakota delivers immediate and long-term benefits for our communities. Big Watt alone currently contributes roughly $900,000 a year in kilowatt-hour taxes directly to local schools and could eventually provide more than $160 million annually as future phases come online. Its payroll already totals several million dollars a year, with nearly all staff drawn from within the region. This kind of investment can strengthen schools, support local businesses and create lasting economic opportunity.
Additionally, construction and development of this infrastructure alone can support hundreds of electricians, contractors, engineers and skilled trades workers. These are good-paying jobs that circulate dollars through local businesses. For rural parts of our state, that kind of investment can be transformative.
At Oahe Electric Cooperative, we see how thoughtful planning and load growth can support grid upgrades while protecting affordability for the families and small businesses we serve. We also know South Dakota is already a leader in renewable energy, with 29 wind projects totaling 3,476 megawatts, along with growing solar capacity and grid storage resources. As demand for electricity grows, we are taking on new generation responsibly through an all-of-the-above energy strategy that rests on a reliable foundation of natural gas and coal, accompanied by wind and solar resources. Just as importantly, data centers should be required to pay the upfront costs associated with their onboarding so existing consumers are not left subsidizing the infrastructure needed to support large-scale new load. When planned responsibly, this approach can support grid upgrades and new generation in ways that maintain reliability and protect affordability for South Dakota’s households and small businesses.
The broader significance is strategic. By establishing critical infrastructure for the technology economy, South Dakota positions itself as essential to American competitiveness. We attract complementary investment, develop specialized workforce expertise and build advantages that strengthen our state’s position in the global economy for decades. If our policies create uncertainty or make infrastructure development
financially unworkable
, capital will flow to other states where the path is clearer and the commitment is stronger. We must transform from a state watching the technology race to a state where the race is won.
Our state must act now to establish the critical infrastructure that will power American innovation for the next decade. This is our moment to position South Dakota as essential to winning the technology race. With practical regulations and a clear commitment to supporting data center infrastructure development, we can ensure that South Dakota is where America builds the advanced infrastructure that leads the world in artificial intelligence. The technology shaping the global economy will be powered by the infrastructure we build today. South Dakota can be that foundation.
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