PIERRE — Democratic caucus meetings in the State Capitol next session may have just gotten a little cozier.
Rep. Peri Pourier and Sen. Red Dawn Foster, district mates from District 27, have informed their fellow party members that they intend to break off from the official party caucus when the 100th legislative session kicks off in January. The move dwindles the number of lawmakers participating in the super-minority’s strategy session that happens at least daily during the legislative session from nine to seven.
Multiple policymakers in Pierre confirmed the shake-up to The Dakota Scout, including incoming Senate Minority Leader Liz Larson.
“They are respected colleagues of ours and they have made a personal choice to leave the Democratic caucus,” Larson said. “We would welcome them back at any time.”
Both lawmakers declined to provide the rationale for their decision. According to their profiles on the Legislative Research Council’s (LRC) website, they are still identified as Democrats. Colleagues, too, say that they’ve given no indication they intend to switch their party affiliations. However, the chamber’s seating charts, traditionally based on party alignment, provides further evidence of at least a symbolic separation:
Pourier is positioned near the front and center of the House chamber, while Foster takes a prominent spot near the front in the Senate. Democrats, meanwhile, continue to occupy their traditional back-left perches.
Located in southwestern South Dakota, the pair’s district consists of portions of Bennett, Jackson, Pennington, and Oglala Lakota counties. Notably, the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is located within the confines of the district. Voters there have consistently sent Democrats to Pierre, though Republican Liz May has served in the House for several years.
Both Pourier and Foster have represented the district since 2019, and thus will be ineligible for re-election to the same chambers in 2026.
During the regular legislative session, Republicans and Democrats alike have caucuses that typically take place immediately before legislators head to the floor for votes among the entire body. They serve as a time for discussion about party priorities, and the votes that are ahead for the day. Democrats often caucus together across chamber divides, while Republicans break theirs down among their Senate and House chambers. Democratic caucuses are often open to the public, while Republican ones are not.
Partisan caucus attendance is not a requirement of either party, and skipping meetings in itself is not unheard of. As recently as last legislative session, several Republicans skipped the meetings.
Incoming Senate Assistant Minority Leader and former House lawmaker Jamie Smith echoed Larson’s conciliatory tone.
