South Dakota Freedom Caucus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chairman | Phil Jensen |
| Founded | June 2022 |
| Split from | Republican Caucus |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | |
| National affiliation | Republican Party |
| Website | |
| https://sdfreedomcaucus.com/ | |
TheSouth Dakota Freedom Caucus is a legislativecaucus of ultra-conservativeRepublican members in theSouth Dakota legislature that promotes steep spending and tax reductions, limited government power, and election reform. It is affiliated with theState Freedom Caucus Network, and modeled after theFreedom Caucus in theU.S. House of Representatives.[1]
The Caucus was created in June 2022 as part of the State Freedom Caucus Network's effort to establish caucuses in all state legislatures.[2] The founding Chairman, Rep.Aaron Aylward, said he was inspired to run for office and form the Caucus by Sean Hannity and the urge to "do something" rather than be a "keyboard warrior."[3]
The Freedom Caucus is considered a more right-wing, populist group of Republicans compared to the members of the House and Senate Republican Caucus.[2] The leadership of the competing factions have sparred, with the former Republican Senate President Pro Tempore,Lee Schoenbeck, calling Freedom Caucus members "whack-a-doodles".[4] Aylward accused traditional Republican legislators of failing to deliver on conservative campaign promises and adopting historically liberal ideals.[2][3]
This dispute was reflected in the Republican primaries ahead of the2024 elections, where moderate, traditional republicans characterized their challengers are far-right or "fringe", while Freedom Caucus members or supported candidates characterized their opponents as "fake republicans".[5][6] The differences between these factions has been described as a "fight over the future of the party".[3] Moderate Republicans have initiated reforms of party leadership and primary elections in an effort to stem the influence of those to their right, namely Freedom Caucus members.[3]
In the aftermath of the2020 presidential election, Freedom Caucus members supported efforts to recount votes and overhaul the voting process.[7] In August 2022, the Caucus requested thatGovernorKristi Noem and Attorney GeneralMark Vargo "preserve" the 2020 election results for re-evaluation. Caucus member Rep.Julie Frye-Mueller introduced legislation to expand investigations into voter addresses and identities, but this was rejected by the House, including non-Freedom Caucus Republicans.[8]
Following theSupreme Court of the United States' decision inDobbs v. Jackson (2022), the Freedom Caucus advocated for aspecial session to review and amend the state's abortion laws. The effort was rejected by the legislature's Republican leadership and Noem, who said the state's trigger law was sufficient to "save lives and help mothers impacted by the (Supreme Court’s) decision."[9]
The Caucus opposes the use and availability of "abortion pills", and has criticized non-profits that advertise information on how to use and procure them as skirting around state law.[10]
During the 2025 special session, Caucus members opposed the creation of a $650 million men'sprison, citing the adequacy of existing facilities and the need to address underlying mental health and rehabilitative issues.[11] The Caucus also rejected a similar proposal during the prior regular session.[8] Republican Caucus members, those Republican members not in the Freedom Caucus, argued in favor of the new facility due to the high cost of expanding and modernizing the existing prisons, and argued the Freedom Caucus was misleading voters on the cost of the proposal.[11]
In 2023, members of the Freedom Caucus rallied in favor of a law that would prohibit the use of eminent domain for climate capture pipeline projects.[12] The Caucus' leader in theHouse called on Noem to convene a special session to resolve the issue.
In 2023, the Caucus accused Noem of acting beyond her office's constitutional authority by introducing bills in the legislature without the support of any member, undermining the state'sseparation of powers.[13] Caucus member Rep.Tony Randolph introduced a bill that would require the Governor to get a legislative sponsor before introducing legislation.
In a scorecard published by the Voter Defense Association of South Dakota, Freedom Caucus members were ranked among the most against laws promotingballot initiatives and other voter-led efforts.[14]
In 2024, the Caucus opposed a ballot initiative to create a "top-two"open primary system in the state.[15]
In 2022, the Caucus celebrated Noem's cancellation of the state's contract with atransgenderadvocacy group, stating it planned on introducing a bill to ban transgender procedures and medications for minors.[16][17]
In January 2023, Frye-Mueller was accused of berating a Legislative Research Council employee about her decision tovaccinate her child. She was later suspended pending an investigation into the incident by a Senate Select Committee on Discipline and Expulsion.[18] The Caucus criticized the suspension, citing the Committee's lack of a reasoned justification. She was officially censured for her behavior, which was labelled workplace harassment.[19] Frye-Mueller claimed she was being punished for "advancing freedom".[20]