Censure, reinstatement recommended for Senator Julie Frye-Mueller (Audio)

February 1, 2023

PIERRE, S.D.–The special South Dakota Senate committee looking into an incident by Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller (pictured) with a state employee is recommending the Rapid City Republican be censured and reinstated.

Frye-Mueller had an unsettling conversation with a Legislative Research Council staffer about breastfeeding and the safety and effectiveness of vaccinations.

The Senate Select Committee on Discipline and Expulsion met for nearly four hours Tuesday night.

In addition to censure and reinstatement, Sen. Frye-Mueller would be banned from working with the Legislative Research Council for the remainder of the session.

Sen. Frye-Mueller complained about the process:

Republican Sen. Helene Duhamel of Rapid City asked Sen. Frye-Miller about the appropriateness of her conversation with the state employee.

The select committee is scheduled to consider tomorrow (Wednesday) at noon.

If the committee adopts the draft, it would be on the floor of the Senate for consideration this (Wednesday) afternoon.