From Intern to Full-Time Staff
Lizzie McCardle joined the personal office of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) beginning January 1 after interning for Sen. Thune in July and August 2025, and also interning for Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) from September through December 2025. McCardle graduated from the University of South Dakota in 2025 with BA in criminal justice. As a staff assistant, McCardle's role is primarily administrative and constituent-facing, by answering phones, managing correspondence, greeting visitors, and supporting the senior staff who handle legislative work.
The Office She Helps Run
Sen. Thune sits on four major Senate committees: the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee; the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee; the Finance Committee; and the Budget Committee. Thune has introduced legislation touching on estate tax repeal, pharmacist Medicare reimbursement, and broadband permitting acceleration, as well as tribal trust land homeownership for which a bill has already been signed into law.
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