Withdrawals hand seats in South Dakota Legislature to Republicans

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — Many of the 10 Democratic candidates who withdrew from election races for the South Dakota Legislature haven’t been replaced.

One result is that in one of those spots — the District 20 counties of Davison, Jerauld, Miner and Sanborn — the two House seats will be won by default by two new Republicans, Jeff Bathke of Mitchell and Kaley Nolz of Mitchell.

The two Democratic candidates, Don Schmidt, Lane, and John Schmidt, Woonsocket, withdrew and neither of the incumbent Republican representatives chose to seek re-election. Lance Koth of Mitchell opted against seeking a fourth term. Ben Krohmer filed candidacy papers but withdrew.

His departure opened the way for Nolz, who lists her address as her parents’ rural Mitchell ranch and whose sister is storyteller Amanda Radke , to be chosen as his replacement.

Three other Democrats who dropped out and weren’t replaced gave Republicans three more uncontested wins for the Senate. With the deadline for replacements now in the past, here’s a look at the current status of other contests where withdrawals occurred:

House District 1 – As previously reported, Democrat Mark Sumption, Frederick, on July 25 was designated to replace Dana Pulfrey, Claremont, who withdrew on July 16, and joins a former legislator, Democrat Steven McCleerey of Sisseton, in the contests for two House seats. Republican nominees are Christoper Reder, Warner, and Logan Manhart, Aberdeen. Libertarian nominees are Josh Dennert, Aberdeen, and Tamara Lesnar, Grenville.

Senate District 5 – Democrat Dennis Solberg of Watertown replaces Democrat Russell Ronke, Watertown, who withdrew on July 19. The Republican nominee is Glen Vilhauer, Watertown. Republican Sen. Lee Schoenbeck didn’t seek re-election.

Senate District 7 – Democrat Patty Bacon, Brookings, withdrew on July 22 and wasn’t replaced. That leaves the Republican incumbent, Tim Reed of Brookings, unchallenged.

House District 7 – Democrats Blake Stevens of Brookings and Fedora Sutton-Butler of Brookings replace Democrats Cole Sartell, Brookings, and Penny S. Hauffe, Brookings, who withdrew on March 26. Republican nominees for the two House seats are incumbents Mellissa Heermann , Brookings, and Roger DeGroot , Brookings.

Senate District 18 – As previously reported, Democrat Sarah Carda, Yankton, on July 22 was designated to replace Dennis Menke, Yankton, who withdrew on July 12. The Republican nominee is Lauren Nelson, Yankton, who defeated incumbent Jean Hunhoff in the June primary.

Senate District 20 – Democrat Gary Steichen, Woonsocket, withdrew on July 31 and wasn’t replaced. That means no challenger to the Republican nominee, former legislator Paul Miskimins , Mitchell.

Senate District 34 – Democrat Michael Calabrese, Rapid City, withdrew on August 6 and wasn’t replaced. The Republican nominee, former legislator Taffy Howard , Rapid City, goes unchallenged.

The full list of current candidates, including Libertarians and independents, can be found here .

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