Story perspectives

South Dakota GOP nominee loss leads Johnson to endorse Democrat

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 2:29 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Integrity over party

South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson announced on September 19, 2026 that she is endorsing Democrat Terrence Davis for Secretary of State.
Johnson said she could not support Republican Heather Baxter because the office’s integrity, stability and professionalism demand voters look beyond party labels.
Terrence Davis thanked Johnson, noting her confidence mattered despite their different parties.
House Speaker Jon Hansen condemned the endorsement as a breach of party loyalty.

Right

Pseudo-Republican accusation

South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson announced on September 19, 2026 she is endorsing Democrat Terrence Davis.
The endorsement reflects her personal decision after losing the GOP nomination, and Heather Baxter called her a ‘pseudo-Republican’ infiltrator.
Johnson lost the Republican nomination to Heather Baxter in June, earning 40% versus Baxter’s 59%.
U.S. President Donald Trump carried South Dakota with 63% of the vote in 2024 election.

Blindspot

Monae Johnson lost the Republican nomination for South Dakota secretary of state, receiving 40% of the delegate vote while Heather Baxter secured 59%.
Within this story's sources, this detail appears mainly in Right-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

The 1912 split, when Theodore Roosevelt left the Republican Party to create the Progressive (“Bull Moose”) Party after incumbent William Taft secured the nomination, gave Roosevelt 27.4% of the popular vote versus Taft’s 23.2%. That intra-party rupture reshaped national alignments, a dynamic echoed in 2026 as South Dakota GOP secretary of state Monae Johnson, defeated by Heather Baxter, endorsed Democrat Terrence Davis.

1 of 4

Integrity over party

South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson announced on September 19, 2026 that she is endorsing Democrat Terrence Davis for Secretary of State.
Johnson said she could not support Republican Heather Baxter because the office’s integrity, stability and professionalism demand voters look beyond party labels.
Terrence Davis thanked Johnson, noting her confidence mattered despite their different parties.
House Speaker Jon Hansen condemned the endorsement as a breach of party loyalty.

1 / 4