Small-business owner, community leader enters race for Sioux Falls City Council
Vince Danh second candidate to declare for citywide spot coming open with resignation of Councilor Sarah Cole
A familiar face in Sioux Falls’ small business circle is stepping into city politics.
Entrepreneur and civic volunteer Vince Danh announced Tuesday he’ll seek a spot on the Sioux Falls City Council, declaring a candidacy for the At-Large A seat that will be up for grabs in next year’s municipal election.
“Our city offered my family the opportunity to succeed. Sioux Falls was our American Dream,” Danh said in a campaign announcement that vowed to focus his campaign on “responsible growth, stronger community, and equal opportunity.” “My parents came here as refugees from Vietnam with nothing but hope. They opened Sioux Falls’ first Vietnamese restaurant and built a great life here. Now it’s my turn to give back and help build a city where every family, no matter where they came from, can succeed.”
The at-large spot Danh, 34, has his sights on is a citywide representative seat on the City Council, meaning all Sioux Falls voters are eligible to cast a vote in the contest.
Right now, the seat is held by first-term Councilor Sarah Cole. While eligible to seek a second term, Cole announced last week that she will resign in December due to professional reasons that will have her relocating out of state.
A graduate of O’Gorman High School and Loyola University in Chicago, Danh co-founded 4Front Studios, a creative agency that works with small businesses and nonprofits. He serves on the board of Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., and is an alumnus of Leadership Sioux Falls, Leadership South Dakota, and Leaders of Tomorrow.
Danh said his priorities reflect what many Sioux Falls families are feeling — rising costs, housing and childcare challenges, and the need for more coordinated planning around city growth.
“Sioux Falls isn’t the first mid-sized city to experience rapid growth — let’s look to facts and data from other cities to confront the challenges we’re facing,” he said. “Let’s accept growth as inevitable, but let’s also do our homework to make sure we’re handling it responsibly.”
He also called for more support for small businesses and entrepreneurs through streamlined city processes and expanded access to workforce and housing opportunities.
“The Sioux Falls I believe in listens with genuine care and invites everyone to a seat at the table,” Danh said. “Only together can we face these challenging times. With creativity, with honesty, and heart we can work together to make sure the Best Little City in America is truly the best place to call home.”
Danh is the second declared candidate looking to succeed Cole. YMCA CEO James Oppenheimer is also pursuing the At-Large A position.
Some things that would help small businesses include: Not subsidizing large projects that benefit a few companies (like the downtown convention center boondoggle dream), lowering property taxes by cutting gov't spending & NOT raising sales taxes.