Thune, who is 63 and in his fourth Senate term, has promised to work closely with President-elect Donald Trump despite differences between the two over the years.

Progressive priorities such as abortion rights, grocery tax repeal and legalized recreational marijuana were all defeated.

With voters declining to enshrine a right to abortion in the State Constitution, South Dakota will continue to have one of the strictest abortion bans in the country.

Trump says he will nominate South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to head Homeland Security Department WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Trump says he will nominate South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to head Homeland Security Department. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live ...

Sen. John Thune has won an internal election among Republican senators to become the chamber’s next majority leader

If Noem is confirmed by the Senate, she will be in charge of immigration enforcement agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly chosen South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

Learn about South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, President-elect Donald Trump's reported pick for Homeland Security secretary.

South Dakota governor will take charge of a $60bn budget and federal agencies including the US Customs and Border Protection and the Secret Service

President-elect Donald Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to head the Department of Homeland Security, as he zeroes in on border security.

Another ballot measure could give grocery shoppers relief by removing the state sales tax on food. South Dakota lowered its general sales tax last year from 4.5 percent to 4.2 percent, and the new initiative would eliminate taxes on most food items, excluding alcohol and prepared meals.