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South Dakota state Rep. Peri Pourier has switched her political party affiliation from Democratic to Republican.

Pourier stated that Republican tenets of decentralized government and self-determination align with tribal sovereignty.

The change reduces the number of Democrats in the South Dakota Legislature to eight, the lowest since 1953.

South Dakota state Rep. Peri Pourier has switched her political affiliation from Democratic to Republican.

Pourier made the announcement on Monday, a day before lawmakers gather for a special session to vote on a state prison construction plan. South Dakota Searchlight confirmed Pourier’s registration switch with a county election official.

The switch further tips the scales in Republicans’ favor, with 97 Republicans and eigh

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