South Dakota Senate’s Assistant Majority Leader takes medical leave of absence

January 24, 2024

PIERRE, S.D.–A member of 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, 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, who is recovering from colon cancer, had the clot discovered near his chemotherapy port that week. It was successfully removed during an operation, 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.