Big Democratic Wins a Lesson for Leader Thune

For Immediate Release

11/5/2025

Sioux Falls, SD - Leader John Thune is now responsible for the longest government shutdown in American history. Last night’s commanding victories by Democratic candidates demonstrate that Republicans must work across the aisle for our government to function properly.

South Dakotans are sick and tired of partisan politics that fail to bring down the price of groceries, make housing affordable, or reduce healthcare costs. The current Administration is more interested in dominance than governance and last night proved that the American people have had it. 

“Leader Thune is the most influential Senator in America right now. He has chosen to play party politics instead of what he was sent to Washington to do - serve the people of South Dakota ,” said SDDP Chair Shane Merrill. “Last night, voters rejected the extremist bullying of the MAGA movement and Donald Trump.  Leader Thune needs to look at what people across the country voted for and recognize that bipartisanship is the only way to reopen the government.”

For questions, please contact Dan Ahlers, Executive Director of the SD Democratic Party at dan@sddp.org or 605-940-3071.

Paid for by the South Dakota Democratic Party | www.sddp.org