On this week's Matters of the State, we take a look at how the state will cover Medicaid expansion, leadership changes in the South Dakota legislature, and the latest economic outlook.
“Christmas at the Capitol” is officially underway in Pierre. This year, the display includes roughly 82 different trees, along with other "prairie themed" decor.
More moderate Republicans in the South Dakota State House were able to fend off challenges from hardline conservative members, leading to a clean sweep of key leadership positions in that chamber.
Conservative activists and state lawmakers are expressing disagreement with a “kid-friendly” drag show scheduled to happen Wednesday evening on the campus of South Dakota State University.
In the final days of the campaign for South Dakota governor, Noem has picked up a number of key endorsements from notable Republican lawmakers and activists.
Republican State Senate candidate Joel Koskan appeared in court for the first time Monday morning. He is charged with child abuse, stemming for allegations that he sexually abused a minor over the course of several years.
Three candidates are running to become the South Dakota State Auditor; Republican incumbent Rich Sattgast, Democrat Stephanie Marty, and Libertarian Rene Meyer.
Susan Wismer is running as an Independent for the South Dakota State Senate in District 1. District 1 consists of a portion of Brown county, and includes the counties of Day, Marshall, and Roberts. Wismer previously represented the district in the Senate, but was defeated by current Senator Michael Rohl (R-Aberdeen) in the 2020 general election. She will face Rohl once again this year.
Margaret (Maggie) Sutton is is running for election to the South Dakota State Senate in District 10. District 10 is made up east and northeast Sioux Falls. Sutton, an incumbent, faces a general election challenge from Democrat Elizabeth Larson.
Tom Sutton is running as a Republican for election to the South Dakota State House in District 10. District 10 is made up east and northeast Sioux Falls. Sutton is running alongside Republican John Mogen, and two Democrats, incumbent Erin Healy and Kameron Nelson.
Karla Lems is running for re-election to the South Dakota State House in District 16. The district includes portions of Lincoln and Union counties, and has the communities of Beresford, Lennox, and Canton within its boundaries. Lems is running alongside Republican incumbent Kevin Jensen. They will face one Democrat in the general election, Matt Ness.
Michael Rohl is a Republican running for re-election to the South Dakota State Senate in District 1. District 1 consists of a portion of Brown county, and includes the counties of Day, Marshall, and Roberts. Rohl will face Independent Susan Wismer, who he previously defeated as a Democrat in 2020.
Dan Ahlers is running for the South Dakota State House in District 25. The district is north of Sioux Falls, and consists of the communities of Dell Rapids, Flandreau, and Humboldt. Ahlers is looking to oust one of two Republican incumbents, Jon Hansen or Randy Gross.
Rebecca (Bekki) Engquist-Schroeder is running as a Democrat for the South Dakota State House in District 17. District 17 stretches along the borders of Nebraska and Iowa, and includes the communities of Vermillion, Elk Point, and North Sioux City. There are two Republicans also in this race, Chris Kassin and William Shorma.
Arch Beal is running as a Republican for the South Dakota State Senate in District 12. District 12 is made up of a portion of southwest Sioux Falls, with its western boundary being I-29. Beal faces Democrat Jessica Meyers in the general election.
Linda Duba is a Democrat running for re-election to the South Dakota State House in District 15. District 15 is made up of central Sioux Falls, and includes the airport and the Cathedral of Saint Joseph within its boundaries. Historically, District 15 has been a Democrat stronghold.
Erin Royer is a Democrat running for the South Dakota State House in District 12. District 12 stretches across both Lincoln and Minnehaha counties. It includes landmarks such as the Sanford USD Medical Center and Endeavor Elementary School. Royer is one of two Democrats running in the district, the other is Kristin Hayward. There are also two Republicans in the race, incumbent Greg Jamison and Amber Arlint.
Taylor Rehfeldt is running for re-election as a Republican to the South Dakota State House in District 14. District 14 is located southeast of Sioux Falls, with a western border that runs along the Big Sioux River and an eastern border that runs along Highway 11 between E. 18th Street and E. 57th Street. Rehfeldt is one of two Republicans running in the district, along with Tyler Tordsen. Additionally, two Democrats are running; Wendy Mamer and Mike Huber.
Matthew Tysdal is a Democrat running for the South Dakota State Senate in District 14. District 14 is located southeast of Sioux Falls, with a western border that runs along the Big Sioux River and an eastern border that runs along Highway 11 between E. 18th Street and E. 57th Street. Tysdal will face incumbent Republican Larry Zikmund in the general election.
Wendy Mamer is running as a Democrat for South Dakota State House in District 14. District 14 is located southeast of Sioux Falls, with a western border that runs along the Big Sioux River and an eastern border that runs along Highway 11 between E. 18th Street and E. 57th Street. Mamer is one of two Democrats running in the district, alongside Mike Huber. Two Republicans are also seeking the seat, incumbent Taylor Rehfeldt and Tyler Tordsen.
Bethany Soye is a Republican running for re-election to the South Dakota State House in District 9. District 9 is west of Sioux Falls, and includes the community of Hartford within its boundaries. Soye and Republican newcomer Kenneth Teunissen are on the ballot, alongside Democrat Nick Winkler.
John Sjaarda is a Republican running for election to the South Dakota State House in District 2. The district wraps around Watertown, and includes the cities of Clear Lake, Milbank, and Clark within its boundaries. Sjaarda and two others are running in this district, Republican David Kull and Democrat Gary Leighton.
Greg Jamison is running for re-election as a Republican to the South Dakota State House in District 12. District 12 is in southwestern Sioux Falls, with its western boundary being along I-29. It consists of a portion of Lincoln and Minnehaha counties. Four candidates are in the race, including fellow Republican Amber Arlint, and two Democrats; Kristin Hayward and Erin Royer.
Gary Leighton is running for election as a Democrat to the South Dakota State House in District 2. The district wraps around Watertown, and includes the cities of Clear Lake, Milbank, and Clark within its boundaries. Leighton faces two Republicans in the general election, David Kull and John Sjaarda.
Chris Kassin is running as a Republican for the South Dakota State House in District 17. District 17 stretches along the borders of Nebraska and Iowa, and includes the communities of Vermillion, Elk Point, and North Sioux City. Kassin and fellow Republican William Shorma are in the race, along with Democrat Rebecca Engquist-Schroeder.
Kim Parke is running as a Democrat for the South Dakota State House in District 11. District 11 is made up of southwestern Sioux Falls, with its eastern boundary being along I-29. The race has four candidates in it; Democrat Margaret Kuipers, Republican incumbent Chris Karr, and Republican Brian Mulder.
Jim Stalzer is running as a Republican for re-election to the South Dakota State Senate in District 11. The district is in southwestern Sioux Falls, with its eastern boundary running along I-29. Stalzer faces Democrat Sheryl Johnson in the general election.
Steven McCleerey is running for election to the South Dakota State House in District 1. District 1 consists of a portion of Brown county, and includes the counties of Day, Marshall, and Roberts. McCleerey replaces State Rep. Jennifer Keintz (D-Eden) on the ballot, who is instead running as the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor.
Shane Milne is running as a Democrat for South Dakota State House in District 22. District 22 includes parts of Beadle and Kingsbury counties, and has the communities of Huron and De Smet located in it. Milne faces two Republican incumbents in the general election, Roger Chase and Lynn Schneider.
Kyle Schoenfish is running for re-election to the South Dakota State Senate in District 19. District 19 starts just east of Mitchell, and pushes east along I-90 to roughly Montrose. Other communities in the district include Salem, Springfield, Tyndall, and Perkins. Schoenfish faces one Democratic challenger in the general election, Russell Graeff.
John Mogen is running for election to the South Dakota State House in District 10. District 10 is made up east and northeast Sioux Falls. Mogen is running alongside Republican Tom Sutton, and two Democrats, incumbent Erin Healy and Kameron Nelson.
Kevin Jensen is running for re-election to the South Dakota State House in District 16. The district includes portions of Lincoln and Union counties, and has the communities of Beresford, Lennox, and Canton within its boundaries. Jensen is seeking re-election, while running alongside Republican newcomer Karla Lems.
Dan Andersson is running as a Democrat for the South Dakota State Senate in District 21. District 21 is one of the largest legislative districts in the state, including in it the communities of Gregory, Platte, Winner, and Wagner. Its southern border runs along the South Dakota-Nebraska state line. Andersson is looking to unseat Republican incumbent Erin Tobin.
Sheryl Johnson is running as a Democrat in District 11. District 11 is in southwestern Sioux Falls, with I-29 being its eastern boundary. Johnson faces incumbent Republican Jim Stalzer in the general election.
Jay Williams is a Democrat running for the South Dakota State House in District 18. District 18 includes the community of Yankton, and its southern border runs along the Missouri River. Williams is running alongside Democrat incumbent Ryan Cwach, but will be looking to flip one the seats in this district back to his party.
Jean Hunhoff is a State Senator running for re-election in District 18. District 18 includes the community of Yankton, with its southern border being the Missouri River. Hunhoff faces Democrat Frederick Bender in the general election.
Brian Burge is an Independent running for the South Dakota State Senate in District 16. District 16 stretches south along I-29, and includes the communities of Beresford, Parker, and Lennox within it. Burge is one of just a few Independents running for the state legislature in 2022, and will face incumbent Republican Jim Bolin and Democrat Donn Larson in the general election.
Kadyn Wittman is a Democrat running for the South Dakota State House in District 15. District 15 is made up of central Sioux Falls, and includes the airport and the Cathedral of Saint Joseph within its boundaries. Wittman is replacing Democrat Jamie Smith on the ballot, who opted to not run for re-election, and instead run for Governor. Historically, District 15 has been a Democrat stronghold.
Margaret Kuipers is running as a Democrat for the South Dakota State House in District 11. District 11 is entirely in Minnehaha County, with its eastern boundary being made up of I-29. Kuipers is in a four-way race for the state legislature this year. Also running in the district is Kimberly Parke, a Democrat, and two Republicans, incumbent Chris Karr and Brian Mulder.
David Kull is running as a Republican for the South Dakota State House in District 2. District 2 is a newly formed district as a result of redistricting. It wraps around Watertown, and includes the communities of Clear Lake, Clark, and Big Stone City within it. Kull is running alongside Republican John Sjaarda and Democrat Gary Leighton. Of three, none of have been elected to the state legislature before.
Jessica Meyers is running as a Democrat for the South Dakota State Senate in District 12. District 12 is made up of a portion of southwest Sioux Falls, with its western boundary being I-29. Meyers faces Republican Arch Beal in the general election, who is running for the State Senate after being termed out of the State House.
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