Members of Congress received some sad news Tuesday night with the death of Democratic Senator Tim Johnson. The cause was complications from a stroke.

The former chair of the Senate Banking committee served in both houses of Congress for three decades, starting in 1987.

President Biden issued a statement praising Johnson, the last Democrat to hold statewide office in his state.

Democratic senator dies

“Tim Johnson served the people of South Dakota with distinction, and it was an honor to serve alongside him in the United States Senate for over a decade," Biden said.

"He always put South Dakotans first, and he never forgot where he came from. He worked tirelessly to bring clean drinking water to Americans wherever they lived: rural towns, inner cities, and Tribal lands. And he steered critical investments toward Indian Country and to South Dakota’s development and infrastructure."

A moderate, Johnson voted against late term abortion and to confirm Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, who decades later wrote the opinion ending Roe v. Wade. 

Johnson never lost an election, although future senator and then-congressman John Thune nearly unseated him when he ran for re-election to the Senate in 2002. Johnson won by over 500 votes.

“Known for his tenacity and work ethic, Tim was a steadfast leader who dedicated his life to serving the people of South Dakota with integrity and compassion,” Thune said in a statement. “He fought tirelessly for rural America and leaves a legacy that will have a lasting impact for years to come.”

Senator supported infrastructure

Johnson's career was not without difficulty. He suffered a debilitating brain hemorrhage in 2006, returning to the Senate months later to a standing ovation.

He recovered and won re-election in 2008, before eventually announcing his retirement in 2015.

Before the Senate, Johnson served as South Dakota's only House representative from 1987 to 1997. He beat Republican Senator Larry Pressler in 1996.

Johnson was known for his bi-partisanship and supporting infrastructure projects in South Dakota, like the Lewis and Clark Water pipeline.

"Tim always quipped that neither the left, nor the right, had a monopoly on all of the good ideas, but that working together, we can find common ground for the good of our country,” his family said. “In his work and life, Tim showed us never to give up.”

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 18 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.