State Rep. Phil Jensen Temporarily Removed From Republican Caucus

Jensen suspended for two weeks after controversial comments on the House floor

Feb. 4, 2026 at 1:23pm

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State Representative Phil Jensen, the chair of the Freedom Caucus, has been temporarily suspended from the Republican caucus for two weeks following controversial comments he made during a debate on the House floor over a Senate bill urging South Dakotans to 'seek the Lord Most High.'

Why it matters

The suspension of a sitting state representative from his party's caucus is a rare and significant disciplinary action, highlighting the tensions and divisions within the Republican party in South Dakota over issues of religion and free speech.

The details

During the debate, Jensen said he thinks 'the only ones that are going to be voting red up there are going to be Democrats,' which was seen by party leadership as inappropriate and disruptive. House Leader Scott Odenbach confirmed the decision to suspend Jensen was a collective decision by the Republican caucus.

  • On February 4, 2026, the South Dakota House of Representatives debated a Senate bill urging residents to 'seek the Lord Most High.'

The players

Phil Jensen

A state representative in South Dakota and the chair of the Freedom Caucus.

Scott Odenbach

The House Leader of the Republican caucus in the South Dakota legislature.

Freedom Caucus

A conservative political group within the South Dakota Republican party that Jensen chairs.

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What they’re saying

“the only ones that are going to be voting red up there are going to be Democrats”

— Phil Jensen, State Representative

What’s next

The Republican caucus will decide at the end of Jensen's two-week suspension whether to reinstate him or take further disciplinary action.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions within the South Dakota Republican party over issues of religion, free speech, and party unity, with the suspension of a prominent conservative lawmaker serving as a warning shot to others who may stray too far from the party line.