VOTER GUIDE: GOP primary, municipal races crescendo in South Dakota
Voters head to the polls in a uniquely packed Election Day that combines statewide primaries with local contests; here's a look at who's on your ballot
Republicans, Democrats and non-affiliated voters alike will have a say in the future of their cities, counties and state when they head to the polls for South Dakota’s 2026 primary election.
And for the first time ever in the Sioux Falls area, the primary election is being held in conjunction with both a municipal and school board election.
With Democrats fielding unopposed nominees in the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, governor’s race and some county level positions, Republican voters have more at stake in today’s election. But non-Republicans can still cast their ballots for candidates looking for spots on the school board, city council and City Hall.
Here’s a look at the primary fields that will determine who advances to face Democratic nominees in November, and who wants on the school board, council and mayor’s office.
U.S. SENATE - GOP PRIMARY
Republican voters will choose between a long-serving incumbent and a political newcomer for the chance to face Democratic nominee Julian Beaudion and independent candidate Brian Bengs in November.
Justin McNeal
Justin McNeal, 42, of Rapid City, is a U.S. Navy veteran and financial professional who worked as a nuclear engineer aboard submarines before transitioning into the private sector. He later founded a wealth management firm and has been involved in multiple business ventures, including agriculture and energy-related work, as well as founding Dakota Biochar, which converts wood waste into agricultural products.
McNeal is positioning himself as a political outsider challenging longtime incumbent U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds. His campaign centers on reducing federal spending, addressing the national debt and imposing congressional term limits.
Mike Rounds
U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, 71, of Fort Pierre, is a former South Dakota governor and longtime state and federal officeholder who has served in the U.S. Senate since 2015. Before that, he served two terms as governor from 2003 to 2011 and spent a decade in the South Dakota Legislature.
Rounds built his early career in insurance and real estate before entering politics. In the Senate, he serves on the Appropriations, Armed Services, Banking, Indian Affairs and Intelligence committees. His campaign emphasizes experience, federal influence and continued representation of South Dakota’s interests in Washington.
U.S. CONGRESS - GOP PRIMARY
With U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson not seeking reelection, Republicans are competing for an open at-large seat that will determine who faces Democratic nominee Nikki Gronli in the general election.
Marty Jackley
Marty Jackley, 55, of Pierre, is South Dakota’s current attorney general and a former U.S. attorney for the District of South Dakota. He has served two separate stints as the state’s top prosecutor, first from 2009 to 2019 and again beginning in 2023.
Jackley previously served as U.S. attorney from 2006 to 2009 after being appointed by President George W. Bush. A Sturgis native, he holds degrees from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and the University of South Dakota School of Law.
He is running for Congress after years in statewide law enforcement leadership, emphasizing public safety, federal law enforcement experience and conservative governance.
James Bialota Jr.
James Bialota Jr., 48, of Piedmont, is a U.S. Air Force veteran, businessman and political outsider with experience in civic engagement and local advocacy in western South Dakota. He holds a paralegal certification and has previously run for county office.
Bialota’s campaign emphasizes constitutional rights, justice system reform and outsider leadership. He is positioning himself as an alternative to establishment candidates, focusing on law enforcement accountability, individual liberties and limited government.
GOVERNOR - GOP PRIMARY
A crowded four-way Republican primary will determine who succeeds the post-Noem transition and advances to the general election against Democratic nominee Dan Ahlers, setting up the state’s most closely watched statewide race.
Larry Rhoden
Gov. Larry Rhoden, 67, of Union Center, is the incumbent governor of South Dakota, having assumed office in 2025 following the transition from the Noem administration. A rancher and former South Dakota Army National Guard member, Rhoden has spent more than two decades in state politics, including service in both chambers of the Legislature and as lieutenant governor from 2019 to 2025.
Rhoden’s campaign highlights property tax relief, rural values, public safety and economic stability. He is running with Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen and emphasizes steady leadership rooted in agriculture, faith and continuity of state governance.
Jon Hansen
Jon Hansen, 40, of Dell Rapids, is Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives and a practicing attorney. First elected in 2010, Hansen has become a leading voice in the state’s conservative legislative movement, particularly on fiscal policy, social issues and state constitutional debates.
Hansen’s campaign focuses on reducing property taxes, cutting government spending, limiting state “waste” and advancing conservative social priorities. He is running with Rep. Karla Lems and presents himself as a change candidate from within the Legislature.
Dusty Johnson
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, 49, of Mitchell, is South Dakota’s at-large congressman, first elected to the U.S. House in 2018. He previously served as chair of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission and as chief of staff to former Gov. Dennis Daugaard, along with private-sector work in telecommunications consulting.
Johnson is running for governor after three terms in Congress, emphasizing economic development, conservative governance, infrastructure investment and a pragmatic policy approach shaped by both state and federal experience.
Toby Doeden
Toby Doeden, 51, of Aberdeen, is a businessman and political newcomer who leads the Doeden Investment Group, which includes automotive, real estate and other business ventures across northeastern South Dakota. He rose through the automotive industry to become owner of Aberdeen Chrysler Center.
Doeden is positioning himself as a self-described anti-establishment conservative. His campaign emphasizes eliminating property taxes, reducing government spending, opposing political “establishment” figures and advancing a strongly conservative policy agenda rooted in outsider business experience.
SIOUX FALLS MAYOR -
NON-PARTISAN
With Mayor Paul TenHaken term-limited and leaving office after two terms, five candidates are competing to become Sioux Falls’ next mayor.
The race is nonpartisan and features a mix of former elected officials, business leaders, policy advocates and repeat candidates.
David Zokaites
Zokaites is a civic activist and frequent public commentator. He’s also a perennial municipal candidate, making his third attempt at the mayor’s office. He ran for city council is 2024 as well.
Known for detailed policy proposals and regular participation in public meetings, Zokaites says he’s running to bring new ideas and reforms to city government.
Christine Erickson
Erickson is among the best-known political figures — and well financed — in the field. A former Sioux Falls City Council member and former South Dakota state legislator, she currently leads both the South Dakota Auto Dealers Association and South Dakota Trucking Association as president.
Erickson has emphasized public safety, affordability, economic growth and practical governance.
Greg Jamison
Jamison is a businessman, state legislator and former Sioux Falls City Council member making another bid for mayor after previous campaigns in 2014 and 2018. He currently serves in the South Dakota House of Representatives.
Jamison has framed his campaign around economic development, law enforcement support and managing growth in South Dakota’s largest city.
Joe Batcheller
Batcheller is a Sioux Falls businessman and urban planning and civic development figure. He previously served as president of Downtown Sioux Falls Inc. and has built much of his career around community planning, economic development and city growth issues.
Batcheller presents himself as a civic-minded problem solver focused on growth management, quality of life and maximizing Sioux Falls’ long-term potential.
Jamie Smith
Smith is a Democratic state senator and the Democratic nominee for governor in 2022, when he challenged Gov. Kristi Noem. A longtime Sioux Falls legislator, realtor, business owner and former coach and teacher, he enters the mayor’s race as a top rival to Erickson.
Smith has cast himself as a “servant leader” focused on practical city issues and neighborhood concerns.
Runoff could be necessary
The June 2 election might not be decision day. If none of the five candidates achieve 50 percent, the top two vote-getters will faceoff in a runoff election that would take place Tuesday, June 23.
SIOUX FALLS CITY COUNCIL -
NON-PARTISAN
Crowded council fields could mean some down ballot races also won’t be settled in Tuesday’s municipal election, and will require a second vote to determine winners.
Southeast District
Mike Crane
Mike Crane is a managing member at Crane and Fowler Investments and a longtime civic volunteer who has previously served on the Sioux Falls School Board, the city Parks Board and other community organizations. At 76, he is campaigning on a message of public service and community responsibility, saying his decision to run is rooted in a lifelong belief in giving back to the place where he lives and works.
Brady Kerkman
Brady Kerkman, 53, has more than three decades of experience working in nonprofit organizations, government entities and private business leadership roles. He says his decision to run was inspired in part by his teenage son, who recently spoke before the City Council on a data center zoning issue. Kerkman says he is running “for the future of tomorrow,” with a focus on long-term planning and civic engagement.
Sara Pankonin
Sara Pankonin is a 42-year-old civil engineer who has lived in Sioux Falls for 18 years. A mother of four, she says her interest in city government has grown as she has raised her family in the community and paid closer attention to local decision-making. Pankonin says she is motivated by curiosity and a desire to serve, and has been meeting with residents in southeast Sioux Falls as part of her campaign.
CENTRAL DISTRICT
Zach DeBoer
An artist and educator, DeBoer previously served on the Visual Arts Commission and Historic Preservation Board and has been active in neighborhood associations. He previously ran narrowly for this same seat in 2018. He focuses on community development, arts, and long-term quality-of-life planning.
Tommy Kunz
A delivery driver for apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats, Kunz is a first-time candidate. He says he entered the race out of concerns about transparency and public input on issues like data centers and police surveillance technology.
Matthew McKinley
A candidate who has filed campaign paperwork but has not publicly detailed his professional background or policy platform in interviews or coverage. His candidacy is listed as active in the Central District race.
Zak Okuwe
A registered nurse at Sanford Health and founder of the nonprofit STEM the Gap, Okuwe works to support underserved students in STEM education. A former refugee, he frames his campaign around service, opportunity and community investment.
Bob Trzynka
An attorney at Halbach Szwarc Law Firm, Trzynka has worked in commercial, estate, personal injury and zoning law. He has also been active in neighborhood projects, including traffic calming and redevelopment efforts, and emphasizes practical governance and city services.
At-Large A (citywide)
Vince Danh
An entrepreneur and owner of a video and photography production company, Danh is also involved in Downtown Sioux Falls Inc. His campaign focuses on responsible growth, civic engagement and opportunity creation.
James Oppenheimer
CEO of the Sioux Falls Family YMCA and former leader of the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society and Dakota Alliance Soccer Club, Oppenheimer is a nonprofit executive. He emphasizes public safety, infrastructure investment and balanced growth.
Juliann Perrigo Talkington
An engineer and investor, Talkington brings a technical and business background. She has not conducted a full in-person interview cycle but says she is focused on navigating complex city challenges with a data-informed approach.
At-Large B (citywide)
Rich Merkouris
A pastor and current Sioux Falls City Council member, Merkouris is seeking re-election. He cites experience in city governance and collaboration with a new mayoral administration as key reasons for running again.
Samantha Scarlata
An advocate and organizer who helped launch the East River Tenants Union, Scarlata works on housing and tenant issues. Her campaign focuses on housing affordability, community advocacy and representing working-class residents.
MINNEHAHA COUNTY AUDITOR - GOP PRIMARY
Leah Anderson
Leah Anderson is the incumbent Minnehaha County auditor, serving since 2023 as the county’s chief elections administrator. She oversees elections, vote tabulation, financial functions and reporting for South Dakota’s largest county.
Anderson is running on themes of election integrity, accountability and administrative consistency. She has advocated for changes to state election law, including post-election audits and standardized voting procedures such as strict black-ink ballot requirements.
Samuel McCarty
Sam McCarty, a Hartford resident, is challenging Anderson for the Republican nomination. He enters the race as a newcomer to countywide elected office.
McCarty has centered his campaign on restoring public confidence in elections. His message focuses on transparency, trust in vote administration and increased public faith in county election systems.
MINNEHAHA SHERIFF - GOP PRIMARY
Josh Phillip
s
Josh Phillips is a longtime law-enforcement officer and current captain with the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office. He enters the race with years of departmental leadership experience and the endorsement of outgoing Sheriff Mike Milstead.
Phillips is running as the continuity candidate in the race to replace Milstead after nearly three decades of leadership.
Bobby Smith
Bobby Smith touts himself as a law-enforcement veteran running as an outsider candidate in the sheriff’s race. He worked as a parking cop in larger-city police agencies.
Smith’s campaign focuses on bringing a fresh approach to the sheriff’s office. He has highlighted county jail operations, public safety and leadership philosophy as key themes, positioning himself as an experienced public-safety professional offering a different management style from the current administration.
County Commission (At-Large) -
GOP PRIMARY
Terms are up for Commissioners Jen Bleyenberg and Gerald Beninga. Beninga has opted not to seek another term, while Bleyenberg is pursuing a second term. With her candidacy, there are six Republicans gunning for the two nominition spots up for grabs Tuesday.
Jen Bleyenberg
Jen Bleyenberg, of Hartford, is the lone incumbent seeking re-election among this year’s commission field. She has served on the Minnehaha County Commission since 2023 and works on the financial aid team at the University of Sioux Falls. Previously, she served as treasurer for Wall Lake Township.
Bleyenberg’s campaign emphasizes fiscal responsibility, transparency and public safety. She has highlighted collaborative leadership, support for county services and responsible budgeting while managing growth in South Dakota’s most populous county.
Rick Bonander
Rick Bonander, a Valley Springs resident, serves in elected roles on the Minnehaha Conservation District and East River Water Development District and has been active in land-use and local-control debates.
Bonander is running on fiscal responsibility, infrastructure planning, public safety and transparent government. His campaign emphasizes balancing growth with property rights, strengthening county services and maintaining open communication with residents.
Brent R. Hoffman
Brent Hoffman is a retired military officer, former South Dakota state senator, former school board and city council member and longtime conservative activist. A 9/11 Pentagon survivor, he lives near Hartford and has an extensive record of civic and volunteer service.
Hoffman’s campaign stresses limited government, tax restraint, conservative governance and accountability. He has called for restrained county spending, term limits and stronger taxpayer protections while promoting traditional conservative priorities.
Penny BayBridge
Penny BayBridge is a Sioux Falls resident and community activist who has regularly participated in local government meetings and public comment sessions on county and civic issues. She has built her campaign around citizen engagement and concerns about government oversight and public accountability.
BayBridge’s campaign emphasizes transparency, citizen involvement and closer scrutiny of government decision-making. She has highlighted public access to information, technology concerns and accountability within local government operations as key themes.
Matthew J. Nelson
Matt Nelson is a Minnehaha County native, Army veteran, small business owner and public-sector manager. In his professional role with the City of Sioux Falls, he oversees utility billing and public parking operations, bringing experience managing personnel, budgets and public services.
Nelson is running on a platform centered on fiscal responsibility, transparency and sustainable growth.
Larry Luetke
Luetke is a former member of the Sioux Falls Planning Commission and a longtime participant in land-use, zoning and development discussions involving the Sioux Falls region and Minnehaha County. His background includes direct involvement with planning and growth-related public policy.
He touts his experience in planning and development matters as Minnehaha County continues to grow. His candidacy emphasizes thoughtful land-use policy, infrastructure planning and responsible governance.
REGISTER OF DEEDS - GOP PRIMARY
David Roetman
Roetman, of Sioux Falls, is a former executive director of the North Dakota Republican Party and political organizer with prior involvement in conservative activism.
He’s is seeking to lead the county office responsible for land records, filings, vital records and public document management.
Riley Karsky
Karsky, a Sioux Falls Republican, is competing for the open Register of Deeds position following the departure of the current officeholder.
Karsky is seeking oversight of the county’s records office, which manages real estate filings, marriage licenses, birth and death records and related public documents. The race will determine who leads one of the county’s key administrative and revenue-generating departments.
LINCOLN COUNTY COMMISSION - GOP PRIMARY
The Lincoln County Commission is sure to see some turnover next year as long-time commissioner Jim Schmidt will not seek re-election to the Fifth District seat he’s held for decades.
Amy Harms (District 3)
Harms is a marketing manager, longtime Lincoln County resident and chairwoman of the Lincoln County Republican Party. A Sioux Falls native, she has lived in Lincoln County for more than two decades and became politically active during the COVID-19 pandemic, later serving as a precinct committeewoman and party leader.
Harms is running as a challenger focused on government accountability, taxpayer oversight and greater public participation in county government.
Tiffani Landeen (District 3)
Landeen is the incumbent chairwoman of the Lincoln County Commission and a Sioux Falls attorney specializing largely in family law. She has served on the commission since 2018 and previously served two terms as Turner County State’s Attorney. Her background includes county government advising, public safety work and involvement with statewide county organizations.
Landeen’s campaign centers on managing Lincoln County’s rapid growth through long-term planning, responsible budgeting and support for public safety. She points to projects including the Lincoln County Justice Center and the Interstate 29–85th Street interchange as examples of her leadership.
Joni Ekstrum (District 5)
Ekstrum is executive director of South Dakota Biotech and a longtime Lincoln County resident with professional experience connecting higher education, industry and workforce initiatives. She has worked on past gubernatorial campaigns and serves on community boards, including the Boys & Girls Club of the Sioux Empire.
Ekstrum is running for the open District 5 seat with a focus on smart growth, data-driven planning and fiscal conservatism. She emphasizes collaborative decision-making, strategic budgeting and transparency in county finances.
Mike Mathis (District 5)
Mathis is a trust examiner with the South Dakota Department of Revenue, longtime Sioux Falls resident and grassroots conservative activist. He became politically involved in 2020 through the Patriot Ripple Effect organization and the Lincoln County Republican Party. He previously ran for the commission in 2022 and serves as a precinct committeeman.
Mathis is campaigning on transparency, communication and affordability. He has criticized aspects of recent commission decision-making, particularly spending decisions and the handling of the county veterans memorial debate.
SIOUX FALLS SCHOOL BOARD -
NON-PARTISAN
With three of five seats on the ballot, Sioux Falls voters will decide whether South Dakota’s largest school district stays its current course or charts a different direction.
Six candidates are competing for three seats on the Sioux Falls School Board, which oversees roughly 24,000 students, a budget topping $300 million and one of the city’s largest workforces. The race pits incumbent board members defending the district’s current trajectory against challengers pressing for changes on spending, property taxes, curriculum and governance.
Issues ranging from school funding and teacher retention to student behavior, workforce readiness and public trust in education are shaping the contest ahead of Election Day.
Jean Childs
A retired teacher and former California educator, Childs spent 16 years teaching, including 14 years helping incarcerated adults earn GEDs through the prison system. She’s running on a platform centered on fiscal restraint, academic fundamentals and literacy, calling for tighter control of the district budget, opposition to future property tax opt-outs and a renewed focus on reading, writing, arithmetic, cursive and constitutional history.
Dawn Marie Johnson
Johnson, an independent contractor serving nonprofits in social work, is seeking a second term on the Sioux Falls School Board. A parent with children currently enrolled in district schools, she campaigns on maintaining small class sizes, strengthening literacy outcomes and supporting teachers and students amid growing behavioral and special education needs. Johnson also emphasizes continued collaboration with lawmakers and investment in workforce readiness programs.
Marc Murren
A retired teacher and coach who spent more than 40 years working in the Sioux Falls School District, Murren is seeking re-election to continue what he describes as the district’s “good work.” A current board member, he focuses on protecting classroom resources, supporting teachers, preserving workforce and dual-credit programming and advocating for stronger state investment in public education.
Michael Stangeland Jr.
Stangeland, a caregiver, retail worker, writer and Republican precinct committeeman, entered the race following debates surrounding school district property tax opt-outs. His campaign stresses budget accountability, opposition to future opt-outs and greater scrutiny of district spending through practices such as zero-based budgeting. He also advocates stronger communication with taxpayers and broader discussion about curriculum and student preparedness.
Gail Swenson
Swenson, a longtime educator, former administrator and former superintendent, is seeking another term on the board after a career spent largely in public education, including decades in the Sioux Falls School District. Her campaign centers on navigating financial challenges while preserving student programming, supporting staff recruitment and retention, and maintaining the district’s broad array of academic, arts and career education offerings.
Stuart Willett
A retired teacher and repeat school board candidate, Willett is running on concerns surrounding school finances, accountability and the impact of artificial intelligence in education. He opposes future property tax opt-outs, calls for greater spending oversight and emphasizes classroom discipline, teacher mentorship and expanded career and technical education opportunities for students.
HARRISBURG SCHOOL BOARD -
NON-PARTISAN
Three candidates are vying for two open seats on the Harrisburg School Board, which oversees one of South Dakota’s fastest-growing and third-largest school districts.
Mike Knudson
Mike Knudson, 46, is a commercial real estate broker who has served on the Harrisburg School Board since 2014. He is seeking re-election, citing continuity and stability in a district that has experienced rapid enrollment growth. Knudson said his long tenure and family ties to the district—including a wife who worked in Harrisburg schools for 14 years and two children who have attended district schools—give him a deep connection to local education.
Jordan Twedt
Jordan Twedt, 29, is a structural engineer who entered the race after volunteering with Junior Achievement and becoming involved with the Harrisburg Education Foundation. He said his decision to run was also influenced by his growing family, including a daughter who will enter kindergarten in the fall. Twedt said he hopes to bring an analytical, planning-focused approach to managing the district’s continued growth and facilities needs.
Tara Young
Tara Young, 45, is a marketing professional and longtime district volunteer who has been active in Harrisburg schools as a parent of four children. She has served for a decade with elementary PTO groups and the middle school PAWS organization, and also participates in the Tiger Nation booster club. Young said her involvement in the district and her experience as a parent motivated her to seek a role in shaping its future.
