Senate Majority Leader Cammack was recently profiled in Council of State Governments Midwest “Capital Insights” Column, where among several topics, he spoke on what it means to lead a “Supermajority” of Republican legislators in Pierre:
Q: What do you view as some of the most important responsibilities of the Senate majority leader?
A: In South Dakota we do have a supermajority of Republicans in the Legislature, and we hold all of the constitutional offices in the executive branch. So Republicans have a very strong representation in state government, and sometimes that has a tendency to create fractures based on differing viewpoints. It’s important that we maintain some really good communication — within the [Senate Republican] caucus and also with the executive branch, the House of Representatives and the public in general. The other thing is that I think it’s really important, regardless of a personal position [on an issue], to make sure all viewpoints are heard in the caucus. Then, we agree upon a direction and move in that way so we can speak as mostly a unified voice.