How much Sioux Falls school board candidates have raised, spent ahead of May election
Three candidates are vying for Cynthia Mickelson’s seat on the Sioux Falls school board, and collectively, their campaigns have raised more than $21,000, according to pre-election campaign finance reports filed Tuesday.
One candidate’s campaign, Dawn Marie Johnson’s, has raised $600 more than first-term board member Marc Murren did at this time two years ago, when he ran for school board and won his seat in 2021. He had raised $17,063.97, while Johnson’s campaign coffers stand at $17,770.50.
Brian Mattson has raised more than $3,000 so far, while Nicholas Lee Zachariasen hasn’t raised or spent any money and has asked people not to vote for him. Instead, he's urged people to vote for Johnson.
Election Day is May 16. Here’s how the candidates are raising and spending their money so far.
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Dawn Marie Johnson
Johnson’s campaign has raised $17,770.50 so far, according to her pre-election campaign finance report and a supplemental report.
The largest contributor to her campaign is the South Dakota Education Association (SDEA), contributing $5,000. Johnson is also endorsed by the Sioux Falls Education Association (SFEA), a branch of SDEA which last endorsed board member Marc Murren.
Pat McMunigal, a committee member of SFEA and a retired educator, said in a statement she’s excited by Johnson’s candidacy.
“Her lived experiences and diverse child and school-related involvement and positions make her one of the best, most qualified candidates we've had for a long time,” McMunigal said. “Our Sioux Falls school board members have been great advocates for the students, staff and the community of Sioux Falls in many cases, but none share Dawn Marie’s experiences or perspective. These things will make her a wonderful addition.”
Other contributions to her campaign include the following, from largest to smallest:
$3,375 in unitemized direct contributions from individuals, which is the sum of all contributions of $100 or less from individuals
$1,000 each from individuals including Janice Nicolay, Kira Kimball, Matt Paulson and Tamien Dysart.
$622.75 each from both Charity and Douglas Muth.
$500 from in-state political action committee Change Agents of South Dakota.
$500 each from individuals Tony Burke and Erica Mulally.
$300 from in-state political action committee Minnehaha Democratic Forum.
$250 from in-state political action committee Sioux Empire Better Government Committee.
$250 from candidate committee (Kadyn) Wittman for House.
$250 each from individuals Christopher Ekstrum and Dave Rozenboom.
$200 from candidate committee Greg Neitzert for City Council.
$200 each from individuals Angela Schoffelman, Anthony Pizer, Jessie Schmidt, Susan and Richard Aguilar (together), and Vaney Hariri.
$150 in an itemized direct contribution from Jim Schmidt.
$70.98 in donated goods from Sarah Houska for food, and name tags for a meet & greet.
$39 in donated goods from Greg Neitzert for a “Routific subscription.”
Expenditures from Johnson’s campaign so far total $1,066.98 for the following: $192.08 in bank fees, $259.34 for food and beverages for an April 18 meet & greet, $121.40 for business cards, and $494.16 for T-shirts.
Tony Burke, campaign chair for Johnson, spent $4,982 on digital billboards that will run from April 22 to May 16, the date of the election, on Johnson’s behalf.
Brian Mattson
Mattson’s campaign has raised $3,361 so far, according to his pre-election campaign finance report, including the following from largest to smallest:
$1,000 each from individuals James Sullivan, Kathy Sullivan
$540 in unitemized direct contributions from individuals, which is the sum of all contributions of $100 or less from individuals
$501 in an itemized direct contribution from R. Shawn Ternow
$200 in an itemized direct contribution from Allen Weate
$120 in an itemized direct contribution from Linda Montgomery
His campaign has also spent $2,373.99, with $2,031.33 going to advertising, $250 on “voter data" and $92.66 on sign stakes.
Nicholas Lee Zachariasen
Zachariasen’s campaign hasn’t raised or spent any money.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Campaign finance reports show 1 Sioux Falls school board candidate stands out
