D19 VOTERS SEND SCHOENFISH BACK TO PIERRE

Scotland Republican tops independent challenger in a landslide

Registered voters living in District 19 are sending Kyle Schoenfish back to the South Dakota Senate — by a mile.

The Scotland Republican, who first won election to the state legislature in 2012, will return to Pierre early next year on the heels of a big win in the 2024 General Election last Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Schoenfish defeated his challenger, Michael J. Miller, an independent from Freeman, 8,738 to 2,583. His margin of victory — 77% to 23% — was the largest among all state Senate races decided last week. And he won every geographic area where District 19 falls, including:

• Bon Homme County 2,183 to 621 (77%)
• Hanson County 1,455 to 388 (78%)
• Hutchinson County 2,756 to 829 (76%)
• McCook County 2,135 to 644 (76%)
• Turner County 209 to 102 (67%)

“I ran against a well-respected opponent, and to get a strong showing in all areas of the district felt really good,” Schoenfish told The Courier. “I think it shows that people generally agree with my approach to being a legislator.”

Miller appreciates the votes he received — “I thank those who supported me,” he said — but admitted he was disappointed in the wide separation between Schoenfish and himself.

“I was hoping to do a little better,” Miller said, adding that he may choose to run for state legislature again at some point. “I’m not going to say never.”

For Schoenfish, his return to Pierre in January for the 100th session of the South Dakota Legislature will mark the 12th time he takes a seat representing District 19. He served in the state House for seven sessions before being appointed to the Senate by Gov. Kristi Noem following the resignation of Stace Nelson.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what committee assignments are and what role I might have this coming year,” said Schoenfish, who last session served as chair of education, tax transportation and tribal relations.

Regardless, he said, “I’ll be focused on the same issues that I always have been — education, protecting rural areas and supporting our farmers.”

Ballot measures

Voters across the state weighed in on seven ballot measures that were also part of this year’s general election.

• Constitutional Amendment E, which would have updated gender references for certain office holders, failed 57% to 43%. The “no” sentiment was even stronger locally, with Hutchinson County voters dissenting by 66%, McCook County voters by 64% and Turner County voters by 68%.
• Constitutional Amendment F, which would impose work requirements for expanded Medicaid benefits, passed with 56% approval statewide. In Hutchinson County the margin was 52%, in McCook County it was 55% and in Turner County it was 56%.
• Constitutional Amendment G, which would legalize abortion in South Dakota, failed with 59% of statewide voters say “no.” That sentiment was even stronger locally, with Hutchinson County shooting the amendment down by 78%, McCook County by 72% and Turner County by 70%.
• Constitutional Amendment H, which would have established a top-two primary election and allow voters to make their choice across party lines, failed, with a statewide dissent of 66%. In Hutchinson County it was 76%, in McCook County it was 74% and in Turner County it was 73%.
• Initiated Measure 28, which would have eliminated sales tax on groceries, saw the widest split of all the ballot measures, with 69% of voters statewide saying “no.” That was even higher in local counties, with Hutchinson County saying “no” by 80%, and McCook County and Turner County both by 78%.
• Initiated Measure 29, which would have legalized recreational marijuana, failed with 59% of statewide voters saying “no.” In Hutchinson County 65% said no, in Turner County it was 67% and in Turner County it was 69%.
• Referred Law 21, which would have strengthened requirements for transmission facilities, allowed for a surcharge on pipeline companies and established a landowners’ bill of rights, failed with 59% of the statewide electorate saying “no.” Those numbers were higher in the local area, with all three counties dissenting with an average of 67%.
• And in the race of presidential electors, the Donald J. Trump/JD Vance ticket won South Dakota over the Kamala D. Harris/Tim Walz ticket with 63% of the vote. Voters in Hutchinson County favored the Trump ticket by 78%, McCook County by 73% and Turner County by 74%.

Statewide voter turnout was 69.93%.

Turnout in Hutchinson County was 75.54%.

Turnout in McCook County was 77.75%.

Turnout in Turner County was 76.45%.

For other election results, as well as a detailed breakdown by precinct, visit sdsos.gov.