These are the big Lincoln, Minnehaha county-level races

Shelly Conlon, Sioux Falls Argus Leader
Updated ·4 min read

Much of what will unfold after Nov. 5 at the local for Lincoln and Minnehaha counties was determined in this year's June primary races, be it which county commission or district challengers would make it to the general election, but there's still a bit to be determined on Election Day.

This is what to pay attention to at the local level:

What races to pay attention to for Lincoln County:

Only one major county-level race exists for Lincoln residents, but what's at stake for the one race will shape much on a state level down the line.

Here's a closer look at what you need to know:

County Commission:

Two Republicans and one Democrat are running for county commission seats. That includes:

  • James Jibben - Democrat

  • Betty Otten - Republican

  • Douglas Putnam - Republican

More: Putnam, Otten chosen as Republican candidates for Lincoln County Commission

Putnam, from Sioux Falls, ousted incumbent and Tea Republican Michael Poppens for his seat in the primary to represent the fourth district of Lincoln County on the commission with 53% of the vote (213 votes), beating Poppens’ 47% (186 votes). No Democrat candidates came forward in this race.

Otten, from Tea, beat Duane A.M. Carlson, from Centerville, in the primary for a shot at representing the second district of Lincoln County on the commission, with 51% of the vote (670 votes), beating Carlson’s 49% (636 votes).

Otten will face incumbent Jibben, of Lennox, in the general election to determine who will take the second seat on the Lincoln County commission.

The county commission is responsible for:

  • The audit of accounts of all officers having the care, management, collection or disbursement of any money belonging to the County

  • The care and preservation or sale of all county property

  • Construction and repair of bridges

  • Levying taxes

  • To open, lay out, vacate and change highways

  • To purchase or acquire grounds for courthouse, jail or other building sites

County Treasurer:

Frannie Hofer, a Republican and the current treasurer, is running for county treasurer unopposed.

State's Attorney:

Thomas Wollman, a Republican and the current state's attorney, is running unopposed.

Major conflicts:

The newly appointed commissioners or incumbents are already staring down several state-level obstacles as part of this election cycle. As the county grows, and the state's largest city continues to straddle the two county lines as it booms, commissioners are faced with carbon pipeline land disputes, the ongoing use of nearly $55 million for the new Lincoln County Justice Center expected to be running by fall 2026, and how to navigate the state's project of building a new men's penitentiary among angered residents.

More here:

What races to pay attention to for Minnehaha County:

Similar to Lincoln County, there is only one major county-level race to pay attention to here in Minnehaha, the bigger question may be that of how ballots are counted this Election Day and where election integrity issues, if any, may sit.

Here's a closer look at what you need to know:

County Commission:

Two Republicans and one Independent are running for county commissioner at-large. That includes:

  • Anny Libengood - Independent

  • Dean E. Karsky - Republican

  • Cole Heisey - Republican

Heisey handily came away with the most votes in the June primary for the Minnehaha County Commission, and commission chair Karsky narrowly took second place.

Heisey, a two-time candidate for state house seats, has pitched himself as a more conservative option to Karsky. Heisey's campaign page features regular criticism of Karsky's fundraising and advertising. Heisey took a commanding lead with 34% of the vote, or 5,359 ballots, Karsky eked out a second-place win by only 86 more votes than Roger Russell, finalized by a recount later in June.

More: Recount could determine who joins Cole Heisey on Minnehaha commission ballot in November

"Commissioners are empowered to 'super-intend the fiscal concerns of the County' and 'to make orders respecting the care and preservation of all property belonging to the County,'" the commission's mission statement reads. "Accordingly, Commissioners conduct long-range planning, approve budgets, adopt Resolutions and Ordinances, enact policies and procedures, and further administer the various appointed County departments."

County Treasurer:

Kris Swanson, a Republican and the current treasurer, is running for county treasurer unopposed.

State's Attorney:

Daniel Haggar, a Republican and the current state's attorney, is running unopposed.

More: Recount board opts to count 132 absentee ballots originally rejected in June 4 primary

Major conflicts:

Perhaps the most glaring conflict will be how Minnehaha actually handles the election itself. The past year has been filled with commissioners, some more than others, outraged at actions taken in the name of election integrity by county auditor Leah Anderson. At least one commissioner has gone as far as calling for Anderson's resignation.

More here:

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: What to know about the big Lincoln, Minnehaha races