South Dakota voters face 13 local races and a $4.1 million school bond
Ballots in the Mitchell region will include contests for state legislative seats, county commissions, and a specific bond measure for the Armour School District on November 3.
By Alexander Parker ·
South Dakota voters will decide more than just the state's next governor and congressional delegation on November 3. They must also choose officials for state legislative districts, county commissions, and local school boards. The ballot includes a specific financial decision for one rural school district that requires a supermajority to pass.
In the Armour School District, residents will vote on issuing negotiable general obligation bonds. The aggregate principal amount cannot exceed $4,110,000. The district proposes using these funds for additions to the high school and middle school, renovations to the elementary school, and structural repairs to the gymnasium. A yes vote requires 60 percent approval from voters to succeed.
State legislative races span several districts in the region. In District 8, incumbent Republican Casey Crabtree from Madison faces Independent Clint Hoyer from Winfred for the senate seat. Although two positions appear on the ballot for this district, voters will technically decide only one race.
District 19 features a three-way race for two state house seats. Incumbent Republicans Drew Peterson from Salem and Jessica Bahmuller from Alexandria face Democrat Heidi Hora from Hurley. The two candidates with the highest vote totals will take the seats. For the state senate seat in the same district, incumbent Republican Kyle Schoenfish from Scotland challenges Democrat Russel E. Graeff, also from Scotland.
In District 21, Democrat Dan Andersson from Burke contests incumbent Republican Mykala Voita from Bonesteel for the state senate. District 26 presents a similar contest for the senate, where Democrat Shawn Bordeaux from Mission faces Republican Rebecca Reimer from Chamberlain. Reimer defeated the current senator, Tamara Grove, in the Republican primary.
Two representative seats are also up for grabs in the District 26 split. In District 26A, incumbent Republican Ron Frederick from Mission runs against Democrat Eric E. Emery from Rosebud. In District 26B, Republican Angi Hanzlik from Chamberlain faces Democrat Lewis J. GrassRope from Lower Brule.
County races will determine leadership in Sanborn, Lyman, and Miner counties. In Sanborn County, Democrat Jeff Ebersdorfer from Fedora challenges Republican Phillip Hinker from Forestburg for the District 1 commission seat. This is the only contested race on that commission.
Lyman County voters will select a county auditor. Republican Misti Ramser from Presho opposes Independent Jessica Manger from Kennebec. In Miner County, four candidates vie for three at-large commission seats. Incumbents Tim Neises (Republican), Mike Clary (Independent), and Joe Bechen (Independent) face Independent Kent E. Terilliger. All four are from Howard or Winfred, and the top three vote-getters will win.
The final race in this region occurs in Platte. Nonpartisan city council member David R. Carter, the incumbent for Ward I, faces challenger Jacob Richard Johnson. These local and state decisions will determine the composition of government offices across the area for the coming term.
Source: Mitchell Republic
