Seven new candidates join SD legislative races

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Seven new South Dakota legislative candidates were placed on the Nov. 6 ballot this week.

Five Democrats have joined the ballot. They are:

• Richard Schriever, of Lennox, replacing Dick Gors in the District 6 Senate contest.

• Paula Hawks, of Hartford, replacing Holly Boltjes-Johnson in the District 9 House contest.

• Jo Hausman, of Brandon, replacing Barb Cavanaugh in the District 10 House race.

• Brian Parsons, of Sioux Falls, replacing Carmen Toft in the District 10 House contest.

• Janelle Smedsrud, of Sioux Falls, replacing Oran A. Sorenson in the District 25 House contest.

The two new Republicans in the race are:

• Gene E. Kroger, of Madison, replacing Patricia Stricherz in the District 8 House contest.

• David M. Omdahl, of Sioux Falls, replacing Todd Schlekeway in the District 11 Senate contest.

Tuesday was the deadline for replacement candidates to be named to fill in for candidates who dropped out.

If a registered letter was mailed to the Secretary of State’s Office by Tuesday, that person can still get on the ballot.

There is a chance a letter may arrive at his office today or Friday, Secretary of State Jason Gant said Wednesday, but that is highly unlikely, he said.

There are 105 legislative races; 70 in the House and 35 in the Senate, since districts have two representatives and one senator.

South Dakota Republican Party Executive Director Tony Post said his party had another strong year and Chairman Tim Rave recruited candidates early on to ensure the ballot was filled with Republicans.

“We only had two who withdrew,” Post said.

He said the GOP will have a candidate in 95 races: 33 in the 35 Senate races and 62 in the 70 House races.

“We have quantity but we also have quality,” Post said.

South Dakota Democratic Party Executive Director and Chairman Ben Nesselhuf said the party had success in recruiting candidates after a tough election in 2010 left it with many slots to fill.

“Including independents that are aligned with the SDDP, we are right around 80,” Nesselhuf said in an email response to a question. “Just for a reference, that is with 12 incumbents running for their seats and 68-ish non-incumbents. Lots of new blood.”

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