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VIEWPOINT: Life lessons from my dad, Jamie Smith, show he’ll be a great mayor

Guest column by Johnathan Smith

Jun 16, 2026
∙ Paid

On June 23, Sioux Falls will choose our next mayor. As both candidates make their pitch to voters, I want to highlight the leadership of the candidate I know best: my father, Jamie Smith.

Growing up, I thought Jamie was just like every other dad. He loves sports (especially football and wrestling), likes to spend an afternoon fishing at the lake and grills a great burger on the Traeger. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that my dad spent my childhood teaching me lessons on leadership, even without me knowing. I want to share five lessons Jamie instilled in me, lessons that I know he’ll live out as our mayor.

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