South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson, a Republican who lost her party’s primary in June, has crossed party lines to endorse Democrat Terrence Davis as her successor. In a statement published on Saturday through a local political blog, Johnson cited Davis’s background in law enforcement and public policy as key reasons for her endorsement.

Johnson, who assumed office in 2022 amid heightened calls from conservative activists to enhance election integrity following former President Donald Trump’s false claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election, acknowledged that her decision might disappoint some Republican supporters. She criticized certain tactics adopted within her party, emphasizing the need for a Secretary of State who “strengthens confidence through performance rather than provocation,” supports election officials without political burden, balances voter access with election security, and treats all stakeholders with respect.

During her term, Johnson implemented some reforms, including instituting precinct audits, but did not carry out other promised changes aimed at preventing alleged election manipulation, leading to diminished support among Republican officials. At the state GOP convention in June, delegates selected Heather Baxter, a state representative advocating similarly stringent election measures, over Johnson by a 59 to 41 percent margin to be the party nominee for the office.

Baxter affirmed the primary outcome reflected a clear voter preference for the party’s governing philosophy. “The letter beside a name is not decoration. It tells voters what governing philosophy they will carry into the office that runs our elections and business services,” Baxter said in a statement.

Johnson expressed her belief that Davis’s experience would be more directly relevant to the secretary of state’s responsibilities and stressed her obligation to prioritize the integrity and professionalism of the office above party allegiance. “I cannot remain silent when I believe the integrity, stability, and professionalism of this office is at stake,” she wrote.

Davis, a former state trooper, expressed gratitude for Johnson’s endorsement, remarking that while they differ politically, her confidence in him is significant. Johnson’s cross-party endorsement reflects a broader trend of Republican officials nationwide rejecting some conservative candidates aligned with Trump. For instance, several party members recently spoke out against Bo French, a conservative candidate for a Texas oil and gas regulatory agency, after remarks he made disparaging students of color.

Johnson’s endorsement marks a notable departure from her earlier stance, during which she declined to acknowledge President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s 2020 election victory. Her campaign initially pledged strict election reforms such as hand counting all ballots and auditing every precinct, measures that have not been fully implemented amid mounting evidence—including extensive investigations, recounts, and audits nationwide—showing no substantial evidence of election fraud.