SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — In 2025, South Dakotans may hold more power in Washington DC than at any time in recent memory.
Senator John Thune will become majority leader in the U.S. Senate and Governor Kristi Noem has been tapped to head up the massive Department of Homeland Security. In the U.S. House, Representative Dusty Johnson has been gaining influence as the leader of a group of Republican lawmakers.
A congressional caucus is a group of house members that meets to push for common legislative goals. Members of what is called the Main Street Caucus, recently reelected Dusty Johnson as their leader. He describes the 80 members as Reagan conservatives who deal with problems by focusing on practical solutions. Last month, in his leadership position Johnson appeared with the Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to set the direction of the upcoming house session.
“Two of the chairs of our most important, most active caucuses in the Republican conference,” said Speaker Johnson. “Uh the main street caucus with Chairman Dusty Johnson and of course, the House Freedom Caucus, which is chaired by Dr Andy Harris.”
As a caucus chairman, Dusty Johnson is a key advisor to Mike Johnson.
“I meet with him a couple of times every single week, in fact just in the last couple of weeks have been on the phone a lot with the incoming white house, with Steven Miller with others that advise Donald Trump, I spoke with President elect trump just a few weeks ago myself,” said Dusty.
Like Thune, Johnson says his role gives him the chance to make sure the South Dakota perspective is heard in Washington DC. He also says people in Washington are noticing the Dakotas.
“John Thune is the Senate Majority Leader, Kristi Noem is going to be the Secretary of Homeland Security, Doug Bergum is going to be Secretary of the Interior,” said Dusty.
Johnson says people are asking why the Dakotas are gaining so much influence. His answer.
“There’s a certain pragmatic common sense that the northern great plains has we don’t put up with nonsense, America is pretty sick of nonsense and I think they are turning towards those of us in the middle of the country to help us move in the right direction,” said Dusty.
Johnson has led the Main Street Caucus since 2022.
