Senate showdown between Lt. Gov. Rhoden, Sen. Schoenbeck ends in Frye-Mueller's suspension

Senate votes to suspend rules and Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller

Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden and Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller after the Senate voted to suspend Frye Mueller Jan. 26, 2023 (Jonathan Ellis/The Dakota Scout)

PIERRE — The South Dakota Senate voted to suspend Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller from office Thursday afternoon following a showdown on the Senate floor with Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden.

The vote suspended the rules in place for lawmakers, which Rhoden criticized for depriving Frye-Mueller of her due-process rights. Suspending the rules allowed the Senate to suspend Frye-Mueller while it crafts a select committee to investigate her conduct.

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