South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson announced on Saturday that she is crossing party lines to endorse the Democratic nominee for her office, Terrence Davis, according to Dakota News Now. Johnson, a Republican who has worked in the Secretary of State’s office for more than a decade as both an employee and the Secretary, issued a personal statement explaining her decision to support Davis over her own party’s nominee.
Republican Secretary of State Endorses Democratic Opponent
In her statement, Johnson acknowledged that the move would likely cause friction within her party, writing, I am a Republican. Terrence is a Democrat. I understand that this decision will disappoint some people in my party and anger others
. She stated that her experience in the office allowed her to recognize the difference between campaigning for the position and the responsibility of leading it. Johnson urged voters to look beyond the letter beside a candidate’s name
and instead evaluate the records, backgrounds, and proposals of the candidates.
Johnson further detailed her reasons for the endorsement, stating that South Dakota needs a Secretary of State who will:
- Strengthen confidence through performance rather than provocation.
- Support election officials instead of burdening them for political effect.
- Protect election security and voter access without treating the two goals as enemies.
- Treat candidates, voters, business owners, and office employees with dignity.
Candidate Response and Political Context
Terrence Davis expressed gratitude for the endorsement, noting that the political differences between himself and Johnson increase the weight of her support. Secretary Johnson and I come from different political parties, and we will not agree on every issue. That is exactly why her confidence in me means so much
, Davis said. He added that Johnson understands the responsibilities of the office in a way few others do and stated his intention to earn her trust.
The endorsement comes as a break from the Republican party’s own nomination. According to the Dakota Free Press, the Republican nominee for the position is Heather Baxter, who defeated the incumbent Secretary of State at the Republican convention earlier this year. The Dakota Free Press also reported that the South Dakota GOP spin blog posted Johnson’s endorsement of Davis without providing commentary.
Beyond the endorsement, Johnson recently took action against plans proposed by Donald Trump. At the beginning of the week, she joined an amicus curiae brief requesting that the U.S. Supreme Court block a plan by Trump to utilize the Postal Service to steal mail-in ballots.
The Secretary of State Race
The election for Secretary of State—a constitutional office responsible for business filings, official state records, and the oversight of elections—is a three-way contest. The candidates include:
| Candidate | Party | Stated Priorities |
|---|---|---|
| Terrence Davis | Democratic | Maintaining confidence in the election system and managing broader office responsibilities. |
| Heather Baxter | Republican | Improving services for businesses and voters, and focusing on election security. |
| Tamara Lesnar | Libertarian | Addressing policies that have negatively affected residents, utilizing her efficiency and experience. |
Voters will decide the winner of the race in November. The office currently manages the implementation of Senate Bill 175, a law signed in March by Governor Larry Rhoden that requires documentary proof of citizenship for those registering to vote, a requirement that is currently being challenged in federal court.
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