Pourier Abandons Powerless Democratic Party in “Strategic Recalibration” with Republicans

Democratic voter registration is down one more person: Representative Peri Pourier (now R-27/Pine Ridge) has abandoned the Democratic Party:

Subject: A Strategic Shift in Party Affiliation — and an Unwavering Commitment to Community
I have formally changed my voter registration from Democrat to Republican. My name will now appear with an (R) designation. I recognize this decision may spark questions, assumptions, and criticism. Change is always difficult, but when change comes it is always necessary. Here is some broader context for your consideration – Remember context changes everything.

I represent communities where hardship is not theoretical — it is lived daily, passed down through generations. Our elders and our children endure conditions that defy the promises of the Constitution. Basic rights and protections that many Americans take for granted remain out of reach in Indian Country. Addiction, violence, and unresolved tragedies persist. Families grieve the loss of children to suicide, homicide, and disappearance. Public safety and the rule of law — foundations of a functioning society — are breaking down, and with them, any pathway toward sustainable prosperity.

Meanwhile, the national political landscape has shifted dramatically. Federal policy is changing course, and local, state, and tribal governments are facing the consequences. Leaders who fail to adapt will leave their communities vulnerable. I refuse to be passive. I will not wait for permission to protect our children, our elders, and our homelands. I will be present where decisions are made — to ensure our voices are not just heard but prioritized.

The core tenets of the Republican Party — decentralized government, self-determination, economic prosperity, lower energy costs, and robust public safety — align with the principle of tribal sovereignty. By contrast, well-intentioned Democratic reforms have too often undermined sovereignty. Under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 forced a one-size-fits-all model of governance that disregarded traditional systems and tied federal funding to this imposed framework. What was presented as empowerment ultimately diminished nationhood and reinforced federal control – depilating any hope of self-sufficiency. The long-term consequences of such federal policy failures are still felt on the Pine Ridge Reservation today.

I have spent my career advocating for change, and I remain steadfast in that mission. But to meet the urgency of this moment, adaptation is not optional — it is imperative.

This is not about partisan loyalty. It is about loyalty to the people. My decision reflects a strategic recalibration — one that strengthens my ability to advocate for our communities and deliver meaningful results. I will not explain away poverty and violence with rhetoric. I remain committed to confronting these issues directly — not someday, not when it becomes politically convenient, but now [Rep. Peri Pourier, press release, 2025.09.22].

Translation: Democrats have no power in Pierre, and Pourier wants to sit in the Republican caucus where she thinks her official party switch will give her leverage to make Republicans prioritize Indian issues. She somehow fails to acknowledge that the core tenets of the Republican Party have been replaced with just one principle: kiss Trump’s ring, or else.

KELO-TV’s Emma Johnson notes that Pourier and district mate Senator Red Dawn Foster (D?-27/Pine Ridge) were already sitting with Republicans in the chambers during the 2025 Session. Democrats thus walk into today’s Special Session with only five Representatives and three Senators (three, that is, until Senator Foster gets around to officially switching parties).