Republican leader missing part of session after surgery
Michael Diedrich (SDLRC photo by Johnny Sundby Photography)
A member of Republican leadership in the South Dakota State Senate is temporarily taking leave from the legislative session following a health emergency suffered during the first week.
Senator Michael Diedrich of Rapid City, the Assistant Majority Leader, has been unable to attend session since the week it kicked off, due to a blood clot that required emergency surgery. Diedrich is recovering from colon cancer. The clot was successfully removed and the Senator is recovering at home.
Following the advice of his doctors, Diedrich has not worked while he recuperates, and will miss at least the remainder of this week.
Leadership has reworked committee assignments to allow bills to continue to move through the process.
January 24, 2024
