Sioux Falls, South Dakota – In a surprising move, Republican Secretary of State Monae Johnson announced her endorsement of Democrat Terrence Davis for the upcoming secretary of state election. Johnson wrote in a column for the conservative blog South Dakota War College that she believes Davis’s experience as a state trooper and his legal education make him well‑qualified to oversee the state’s elections.
Reasons for the endorsement
Johnson said, “I am a Republican. Terrence is a Democrat. I understand that this decision will disappoint some people in my party and anger others, but the integrity, stability, and professionalism of this office is at stake.” She highlighted Davis’s law‑enforcement background and his stated commitment to running the office “honestly and fairly.”
Context within the GOP race
Johnson lost the Republican nomination at the state GOP convention in June to state legislator Heather Baxter, whose campaign website aligns closely with President Trump’s concerns about voter‑roll accuracy, mail‑in ballots, and voting‑machine issues. Baxter previously advocated for eliminating voting machines in favor of hand‑counted paper ballots, a position that has been linked to conspiracy theories about rigged elections.
While Baxter downplayed Johnson’s endorsement, noting, “It’s not surprising that she’d rather back someone who won’t change what she has done,” she reaffirmed her support for Trump’s agenda on voting and elections as a “reinforcement of current election laws.”
Implications for the race
South Dakota has not elected a Democrat to statewide office since 2015, and the state has voted overwhelmingly for President Trump in the past three presidential elections. Johnson’s endorsement could influence moderate and independent voters who value experience over party affiliation.
Earlier this year, Baxter sponsored a bill to prohibit the use of automatic tabulating systems, though the legislation failed. She later clarified that she does not have the authority to change ballot‑tallying methods and trusts local auditors to make appropriate decisions.
Broader election integrity debate
The endorsement comes amid ongoing national debates over election integrity. Since taking office for his second term, President Trump has sought to increase federal involvement in election administration, despite constitutional authority primarily residing with the states. Critics argue that such efforts undermine state sovereignty, while supporters claim they protect the electoral process.
Johnson herself faced criticism earlier in her tenure for releasing information about state residents’ assistance needs and for a contract awarded to an electronic poll‑book company, which led to a subpoena from the state legislature.
Terrence Davis, the Democratic candidate, emphasized that the secretary of state’s office is nonpartisan and should serve all South Dakota residents fairly.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
