Overview

• A county election official confirmed Monday that Peri Pourier changed her voter registration from Democrat to Republican, a day before a special session on a state prison construction plan.
• The shift leaves Republicans holding 65 seats to Democrats’ five in the House and 97 to eight across the Legislature, according to published tallies.
• House Majority Leader Scott Odenbach invited her to the Republican caucus, and her statement did not indicate whether she will participate.
• Democratic leaders expressed disappointment and signaled potential committee changes after noting she was the only Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee.
• Pourier, an Oglala Lakota who represents District 27, previously served in House Democratic leadership but declined to caucus last session.