Senator Red Foster Contact information

Red Dawn Foster is an American politician serving as a member of the South Dakota Senate from the 27th district, which encompasses the Pine Ridge Reservation as well as Bennett, Haakon, Jackson, Pennington, and Oglala Lakota counties. Elected in November 2018, she assumed office on January 8, 2019, and is the current incumbent.

Early Life and Education:

• Red Dawn Foster graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Colorado Denver.
• She also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame.
• Foster is a member of the Oglala Sioux and Navajo tribes.

Political Career:

• In 2016, Foster ran alongside state Senator Jim Bradford for a seat in the South Dakota House of Representatives from the 27th district.
• Although she and Bradford lost to Republican nominees Liz May and Steve Livermont in the general election, Foster persisted.
• In the 2018 Democratic Primary, she ran against James Bradford and won 55.6% of the vote.
• In the general election, Foster ran against Republican Bill Hines and secured 58.6% of the votes.
• In subsequent elections, she continued to maintain her position, winning 56.3% of votes in 2020 and 51.45% in 2022.
• According to South Dakota state legislative term limits, Foster can serve one more term in the Senate and is eligible to run for re-election in 2024.

Tenure:

• From 2019 to 2020, Foster served on various committees, including Agriculture and Natural Resources, Health and Human Services, Military and Veterans Affairs, and Transportation.
• In the 2021-2022 legislative session, she contributed to the Commerce and Energy, Health and Human Services, and Local Government committees.
• Additionally, Foster participated in the Ag. Land Assessment Task Force, Rules Review, State-Tribal Relations, and Study on Juvenile Justice interim committees in 2022.

Sponsored Bills and Political Positions (2022 Session):

• Foster has been a strong advocate for Native American rights in South Dakota.
• She sponsored bills recognizing Indigenous achievements and granting Native Americans the right to hunt, fish, and visit state parks without licenses and fees.
• Her commitment to including Native American history in South Dakota’s curriculum remains a controversial topic.

Senator Red Dawn Foster continues to serve her constituents diligently, focusing on issues that matter to her community and the state at large.