Press

Lawmakers have introduced a new Senate proposal—dubbed the “Data Center Bill of Rights for Citizens”—aimed at setting clearer rules for building data centers in South Dakota. The measure follows growing public pushback against large data‑center projects. Supporters,...

PIERRE — Tax breaks for data centers that power artificial intelligence capabilities are at the center of what could be this year’s most contentious battle among lawmakers at the state Capitol. South Dakota’s highest-ranking legislators on Monday unveiled a proposal...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 8th, 2026 Speaker Hansen, Speaker Pro Tempore Lems Advance Emergency Services Reforms to Support Volunteer Fire Departments Dell Rapids/Pierre, SD: Speaker Jon Hansen and Speaker Pro Tempore Karla Lems have been working tirelessly...

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - House Speaker Jon Hansen, who is running for governor, is sounding the alarm on ties between two state economic officials and a company that has received tens of millions in state aid. The House speaker is drawing his criticisms from a...

Pierre, SD: One year ago today, Speaker of the House Jon Hansen and Speaker Pro Tempore Karla Lems led South Dakotans in a decisive stand for the values that define our state. Together with citizens across South Dakota, they fought back and won against extreme ballot...

PIERRE, SD – Thousands of South Dakotans joined Candidate for Governor and Speaker of the House Jon Hansen alongside Speaker Pro Tempore Karla Lems Thursday night for a packed statewide town hall discussing Hansen’s plan to cut property taxes by 25% and save taxpayers...

Click the link below to read the full article in USA Today about Jon's Surge in the polls: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2025/10/28/doeden-hansen-move-up-in-sd-governors-poll-rhoden-johnson-remain-strong/86929517007/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 27, 2025 Pierre, SD — Speaker Jon Hansen, candidate for South Dakota Governor, is gaining major momentum. A new South Dakota News Watch poll shows Hansen polling at 10%, a sharp rise from just 2% when he entered the race only a few months...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 1, 2025 Pierre, SD – Speaker Jon Hansen, candidate for South Dakota Governor, is launching the official Hansen/Lems 2026 “Faith. Family. Freedom Tour.” Over the coming months, Jon and candidate for Lt. Gov Karla Lems will hold a series of...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 22, 2025 Pierre, SD - Speaker Jon Hansen issued the following statement in response to shocking new revelations from the Department of Corrections: In the course of reviewing policy surrounding our prison system, I have confirmed that...