South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson and his staff won an award for transparency and accountability from the Congressional Management Foundation. The Democracy award is given to honor non-legislative achievement and performance congressional offices. 

Johnson says having open communication through this past year was important to him. 

“So we really were bothered by the fact that this incredibly important American tradition was going to have to skip a year because of COVID. And we just decided we weren't going to let it, so we put on our thinking hats and we said, well, how do you have town halls when you can't get together in large groups, and the Drive-Thru Dusty concept came to the front.” 

Johnson says he tries to use social media to promote positive intellectual conversation, rather than attack others. 

“I think, of course, we missed the mark periodically; we are far from perfect, but our goal is really more about engaging rather than enraging. And I think people really, I think the Management Foundation was touched by that.” 

Johnson will be honored alongside other award winners later this fall at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. 

For more details on the award, click here.

This story comes from a recent interview on SDPB's weekday radio program, "In the Moment." Listen to the full interview below.