Democrat Nikki Gronli and Republican Marty Jackley are vying to represent South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. The two squared off in the SDPB/South Dakota News Watch debate on Oct. 1, 2026. (Lori Walsh / SDPB)
The Democratic nominee for South Dakota's lone U.S. House seat isn't a fan of her party's recent embrace of socialism.
Dell Rapids Democrat Nikki Gronli used her only formal televised debate against Republican Marty Jackley on Thursday to criticize a faction of her own party for drifting toward a long-shunned economic system in America, expressing ideological support for capitalism while denouncing socialist momentum taking hold of America's progressive party.
“We’re seeing a faction of the Democratic Party that is for way more socialism. … But the reality is, I believe in capitalism," the 53-year-old mother and business owner said during a South Dakota Public Broadcasting-hosted debate in downtown Sioux Falls. "My husband and I are both small business owners, and what we want to see is strong capitalism."
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