South Dakota Freedom Caucus

Last updated
South Dakota Freedom Caucus
Chair Phil Jensen
Vice Chair John Carley
Aaron Aylward
FoundedJune 2022;3 years ago (2022-06)
Ideology
Political position
National affiliation State Freedom Caucus Network
Seats in the House Republican Conference
9 / 65
[a]
Seats in the House
9 / 70
[a]
Website
South Dakota Freedom Caucus

The South Dakota Freedom Caucus is a legislative caucus of ultra-conservative Republican members in the South Dakota legislature that promotes steep spending and tax reductions, limited government power, and election reform. It is affiliated with the State Freedom Caucus Network, and modeled after the Freedom Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. [1]

Contents

History

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]

Political positions and involvement

Intra-party relationship

The Freedom Caucus is considered a more right-wing, populist group of Republicans compared to the members of the House and Senate Republican Caucuses. [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 the 2024 elections, where moderate, traditional republicans characterized their challengers as 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]

The Freedom Caucus' current chairman, Rep. Phil Jensen, has had many public feuds with the House's Republican leadership and the House Republican Caucus. In the legislative sessions between 2024 and 2026, leadership has revoked his committee assignments for his comments related to school districts' bathroom policies for transgender students and the seating arrangements of a House education committee. [7] In February 2026, he was suspended from the meetings of the House Republican Caucus after he claimed Democrats would oppose a non-binding Resolution encouraging people to "seek the Lord Most High for His healing presence and mercy.” [7] Members of the House Republican Caucus said his comments were out of order for questioning the faith of other House members, while the Freedom Caucus accused the Republican leadership of "silenc[ing] people from speaking out on their beliefs and . . . matters of public importance."

Budget reform and spending

In 2026, the Caucus criticized the fiscal year 2027 budget for its expansion of the state government and increased spending, claiming it violates the values of the Republican Party. [8]

Election reform

In the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, Freedom Caucus members supported efforts to recount votes and overhaul the voting process. [9] In August 2022, the Caucus requested that Governor Kristi Noem and Attorney General Mark 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. [10]

In 2024, the Caucus opposed a ballot initiative to create a “top-two” open primary system in the state. [11]

In 2026, the legislature passed a law sponsored by the Freedom Caucus' Vice Chair, Sen. John Carley, that requires South Dakotans to provide documentary proof of their American citizenship in order to register to vote. [12]

Abortion

Following the Supreme Court of the United States' decision in Dobbs v. Jackson (2022), the Freedom Caucus advocated for a special 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." [13]

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. [14]

Criminal justice

During the 2025 special session, Caucus members opposed the creation of a $650 million men's prison, citing the adequacy of existing facilities and the need to address underlying mental health and rehabilitative issues. [15] The Caucus also rejected a similar proposal during the prior regular session. [10] Republican Caucus members, the Republicans 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. [15]

Environmental issues

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. [16] The Caucus' leader in the House called on Noem to convene a special session to resolve the issue.

Legislative process

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's separation of powers. [17] Caucus member Rep. Tony Randolph introduced a bill that would require the Governor to have 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 promoting ballot initiatives and other voter-led legislative efforts. [18]

Transgender issues

In 2022, the Caucus celebrated Noem's cancellation of the state's contract with a transgender advocacy group, stating it planned on introducing a bill to ban transgender procedures and medications for minors. [19] [20]

Controversy

Frye-Mueller suspension and censure

In January 2023, Frye-Mueller was accused of berating a Legislative Research Council employee about her decision to vaccinate her child. She was later suspended pending an investigation into the incident by a Senate Select Committee on Discipline and Expulsion. [21] 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. [22] Frye-Mueller claimed she was being punished for “advancing freedom”. [23]

Members

Current members

Notes

  1. 1 2 Total representation may not be shown as some members are anonymous

References

  1. ↑ Yaffee (2023-01-31). "State Freedom Caucus Network wants to make an impact in Alabama". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved 2025-10-22.
  2. 1 2 3 Goss, Austin (2022-07-01). "South Dakota Republican state lawmakers launch "Freedom Caucus" to push the party right". KOTA TV. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Haiar, Joshua (2023-03-04). "Republican leaders flip the script this session, go on offensive against insurgents • South Dakota Searchlight". South Dakota Searchlight. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
  4. ↑ "Five races to watch in South Dakota Senate primaries". South Dakota News Watch. 2024-04-25. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
  5. ↑ Haiar, Joshua (2024-06-01). "Republican factions fighting for control of the party in Tuesday's primary election • South Dakota Searchlight". South Dakota Searchlight. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
  6. ↑ Haiar, Joshua (2024-11-01). "Campaign finance reports reveal high-stakes spending in key legislative races • South Dakota Searchlight". South Dakota Searchlight. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
  7. 1 2 Tupper, Seth (2026-02-03). "Controversial SD House member Phil Jensen suspended for two weeks from Republican caucus • South Dakota Searchlight". South Dakota Searchlight. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
  8. 1 2 "South Dakota Freedom Caucus Blasts FY2027 Budget". DRGNews. 2026-03-12. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
  9. 1 2 "Most South Dakota county auditors disagree with election drop box ban". South Dakota News Watch. 2023-04-11. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
  10. 1 2 3 "House defeats bill for new men's prison". KELOLAND.com. 2025-02-21. Archived from the original on 2025-02-22. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  11. 1 2 Whitney, Stu (2024-03-04). "Here are the 4 ballot measures South Dakota voters could have a say on this election". KOTA TV. Retrieved 2025-10-22.
  12. ↑ Fleetwood, Shawn (2026-03-06). "Thune Slacks On SAVE Act As His State Passes Its Own Version". The Federalist. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
  13. ↑ Goss, Austin (2022-07-15). "Noem says she will no longer pursue special session on abortion". Dakota News Now. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
  14. ↑ Chibe, Tamara (2025-12-10). "Mayday Health responds to AG Jackley's order to stop "deceptive" abortion pill ads in South Dakota". Kota TV. Retrieved 2026-01-04.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Freedom Caucus is a 'no' to new men's prison". Kelo Land. 2025-09-10. Archived from the original on 2025-09-19. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  16. ↑ Haiar, Joshua (2023-07-06). "Hundreds rally in Pierre against eminent domain for carbon pipelines • Nebraska Examiner". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved 2025-10-22.
  17. ↑ Herlihy, Brianna (2023-01-23). "Kristi Noem under fire from state Freedom Caucus for allegedly overstepping South Dakota constitutional limits". Fox News. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
  18. ↑ Dausch, Dominik. "South Dakota House led 'attacks' on state's initiative process: Legislative scorecard". Argus Leader. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  19. ↑ Hult, Makenzie (2022-12-20). "Noem terminates contract for transgender advocacy group • South Dakota Searchlight". South Dakota Searchlight. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
  20. ↑ Mason, Jordan (2022-12-19). "Freedom Caucus Calling for Investigation". SD Freedom Caucus. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
  21. ↑ "State Senator Frye-Mueller reacts to her suspension". KOTA TV. 2023-01-29. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
  22. ↑ "S. Dakota Senate suspends lawmaker after vaccine exchange". AP News. 2023-01-26. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
  23. ↑ Strubinger, Lee (2023-01-26). "South Dakota Senate suspends lawmaker". SDPB. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
  24. ↑ Hess, Dana (2026-03-07). "South Dakota Freedom Caucus is long on theatrics, short on results • South Dakota Searchlight". South Dakota Searchlight. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
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