Tim Johnson, a distinguished former U.S. Senator and Congressman from South Dakota, has died at the age of 77. His political journey spanned more than three decades, beginning in the South Dakota state legislature in 1979 and culminating in his tenure as a U.S. Senator from 1997 to 2015.
Johnson passed away on Tuesday evening, as confirmed by a family spokesperson. He leaves behind a legacy as the last Democrat to serve in statewide office in South Dakota. Throughout his career, he never faced electoral defeat, notably winning a closely watched race in 2002 against Republican John Thune by just 524 votes—a victory that remains etched in the memories of many.
His impactful service included advocating for essential infrastructure projects, such as the Lewis and Clark Water Pipeline and the Mni Wiconi Water Project, which provided clean drinking water to numerous communities, including those on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
After his initial election to the U.S. House in 1986, Johnson made the leap to the Senate in 1996, narrowly defeating three-term incumbent Larry Pressler. He successfully secured re-election in 2002 and 2008, defeating Republican challengers each time, including a significant victory in 2008, where he garnered 62% of the vote.
Further details regarding memorial services will be announced shortly.