Peri Pourier has a background in background investigation and currently operates a small business. Prior to entering the South Dakota House of Representatives in 2019, Pourier served as a member of the Oglala tribal group and resided in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. In September 2025, Pourier switched from Democrat to Republican, influenced by the Democratic Party's perceived soft-on-crime stances and historical legislation such as the Indian Reorganization Act.

Peri Pourier's political identity is marked by an unexpected ideological shift from Democrat to Republican, driven by a critique of the Democratic Party's perceived leniency on crime and historical grievances over the Indian Reorganization Act. Pourier's strategic re-alignment suggests a calculated approach to policy, possibly prioritizing regional and tribal interests over party lines. Her background as a small business owner and tribal member adds layers to her policy perspectives, hinting at a unique blend of local economic and indigenous concerns. Pourier's rhetorical style may leverage historical grievances to frame contemporary policy debates, compelling observers to consider how past policies shape current stances.