Congress Appoints New Commissioner to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights announces the Congressional appointment of its new Commissioner. 

On February 26, 2026, Senator John Thune appointed Sara Frankenstein of South Dakota to serve on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights for a six-year term expiring in December 2031.

Ms. Frankenstein is currently a trial lawyer and practices in the areas of employment law, insurance, litigation, and all aspects of government law. She also serves as city attorney and special counsel for a number of cities and counties throughout South Dakota and advises and defends them in litigation and prelitigation.

Ms. Frankenstein has also previously served on the Commission as Vice Chair of the South Dakota State Advisory Committee, where she worked on important issues and reports, including Voting Rights and Access in South Dakota and Maternal Mortality and Health Disparities of American Indian Women in South Dakota. 

The Commission welcomes Commissioner Frankenstein and looks forward to working with her in fulfilling the Commission’s mission in investigating, reporting, and making recommendations concerning civil rights issues in the United States.