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Fred Deutsch

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Fred Deutsch
Image of Fred Deutsch

Republican Party

Candidate, South Dakota House of Representatives District 4

Prior offices
Watertown School Board
South Dakota House of Representatives District 4
Elections and appointments
Next election

November 3, 2026

Personal
Religion
Christian: Catholic
Profession
Chiropractor
Contact

Campaign Facebook

Personal Facebook

Personal Instagram

Personal YouTube

Personal LinkedIn

Fred Deutsch (Republican Party) is running for election to the South Dakota House of Representatives to represent District 4. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]

Deutsch (Republican Party) was a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives, representing District 4. He assumed office in 2019. He left office on January 14, 2025.

Biography

Deutsch's professional experience includes being the owner and operator of a chiropractic office in Watertown, SD.[1]

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023-2024

Deutsch was assigned to the following committees:

2021-2022

Deutsch was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

Deutsch was assigned to the following committees:

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Deutsch served on the following committees:

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.


Elections

2026

See also: South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 4 (2 seats)

Fred Deutsch is running in the general election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 4 on November 3, 2026.

Candidate
Image of Fred Deutsch
Fred Deutsch (R)

There are no incumbents in this race.

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Endorsements

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2024

See also: South Dakota State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for South Dakota State Senate District 4

Stephanie Sauder won election in the general election for South Dakota State Senate District 4 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Stephanie Sauder
Stephanie Sauder (R)
 
100.0
 
10,375

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 10,375
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for South Dakota State Senate District 4

Stephanie Sauder defeated Fred Deutsch in the Republican primary for South Dakota State Senate District 4 on June 4, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Stephanie Sauder
Stephanie Sauder
 
50.9
 
1,868
Image of Fred Deutsch
Fred Deutsch
 
49.1
 
1,804

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 3,672
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Deutsch in this election.

2022

See also: South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 4 (2 seats)

Incumbent Fred Deutsch and Stephanie Sauder won election in the general election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 4 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Fred Deutsch
Fred Deutsch (R)
 
52.5
 
6,977
✔
Image of Stephanie Sauder
Stephanie Sauder (R)
 
47.5
 
6,300

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 13,277
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Travis Paulson advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 4.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 4 (2 seats)

Stephanie Sauder and incumbent Fred Deutsch defeated Valentine Rausch and Adam Grimm in the Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 4 on June 7, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Stephanie Sauder
Stephanie Sauder
 
31.3
 
2,229
✔
Image of Fred Deutsch
Fred Deutsch
 
30.4
 
2,170
Image of Valentine Rausch
Valentine Rausch
 
23.5
 
1,677
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Adam Grimm
 
14.8
 
1,056

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 7,132
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2020

See also: South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 4 (2 seats)

Incumbent Fred Deutsch and incumbent John Mills defeated Becky Holtquist in the general election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 4 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Fred Deutsch
Fred Deutsch (R)
 
42.9
 
8,012
✔
Image of John Mills
John Mills (R)
 
37.5
 
7,001
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Becky Holtquist (D)
 
19.5
 
3,642

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 18,655
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Becky Holtquist advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 4.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Fred Deutsch and incumbent John Mills advanced from the Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 4.

2018

See also: South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 4 (2 seats)

Fred Deutsch and incumbent John Mills defeated Kathy Tyler, Jim Chilson, and Daryl Root in the general election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 4 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Fred Deutsch
Fred Deutsch (R)
 
32.3
 
5,934
✔
Image of John Mills
John Mills (R)
 
28.8
 
5,285
Image of Kathy Tyler
Kathy Tyler (D)
 
21.8
 
4,002
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Jim Chilson (D)
 
14.6
 
2,674
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Daryl Root (L)
 
2.5
 
457

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 18,352
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 4 (2 seats)

Jim Chilson and Melissa Meidinger advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 4 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
✔
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Jim Chilson
✔
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Melissa Meidinger

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 4 (2 seats)

Incumbent John Mills and Fred Deutsch advanced from the Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 4 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
✔
Image of John Mills
John Mills
✔
Image of Fred Deutsch
Fred Deutsch

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the South Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 29, 2016. Incumbents John Wiik (R) and Fred Deutsch (R) did not seek re-election.

Jason Kettwig and John Mills defeated Peggy Schuelke and Matt Rosdahl in the South Dakota House of Representatives District 4 general election.[2][3]

South Dakota House of Representatives, District 4 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.png Jason Kettwig 31.40% 6,050
     Republican Green check mark transparent.png John Mills 30.92% 5,959
     Democratic Peggy Schuelke 22.71% 4,377
     Democratic Matt Rosdahl 14.97% 2,884
Total Votes 19,270
Source: South Dakota Secretary of State


Matt Rosdahl and Peggy Schuelke were unopposed in the South Dakota House of Representatives District 4 Democratic primary.[4][5]

South Dakota House of Representatives, District 4 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Matt Rosdahl
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Peggy Schuelke


Jason Kettwig ran unopposed in the South Dakota House of Representatives District 4 Republican primary.[4][5]

South Dakota House of Representatives, District 4 Republican Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Republican Green check mark transparent.png Jason Kettwig  (unopposed)

2014

See also: South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for the South Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014. The general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 25, 2014. Incumbent Kathy Tyler and Peggy Schuelke were unopposed in the Democratic primary. Fred Deutsch and John Wiik were unopposed in the Republican primary. Deutsch and Wiik defeated Schuelke and Tyler in the general election.[6][7][8]

South Dakota House of Representatives, District 4, General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngFred Deutsch 29.4% 4,426
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJohn Wiik 26.1% 3,932
     Democratic Kathy Tyler Incumbent 23.8% 3,590
     Democratic Peggy Schuelke 20.7% 3,126
Total Votes 15,074
Source: South Dakota Secretary of State

2012

See also: South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2012

Deutsch ran in the 2012 election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 4. Deutsch ran unopposed in the Republican primary on June 5 and was defeated in general election which took place on November 6, 2012.[9]

South Dakota House of Representatives, District 4, General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngKathy Tyler 26.7% 5,131
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngJim Peterson 25.8% 4,958
     Republican Fred Deutsch 24.1% 4,624
     Republican James Gilkerson 23.4% 4,495
Total Votes 19,208

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Fred Deutsch has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. If you are Fred Deutsch, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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2024

Fred Deutsch did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Fred Deutsch did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Fred Deutsch did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2014

Deutsch's campaign website highlighted the following issues:[10]

Pro-Agriculture

  • Excerpt: "I will work with our farmers, ranchers and ag producers to provide the tools they need to continue to feed the world, compete in the global marketplace and fuel a clean energy future."

Jobs And Economic Growth

  • Excerpt: "Policies that create jobs and promote economic development are vital to improve the lives of families in South Dakota. I'll work to strengthen our state's business friendly environment, eliminate unnecessary regulations, and keep taxes low."

Education

  • Excerpt: "As a school board member, father and grandfather, I am passionate about doing what’s best for our children. If our children are to prosper and our state remain competitive in a knowledge-based, globally-connected world, we must dedicate the necessary resources, leadership and South Dakota ingenuity to improve education. South Dakota schools can be, and must be, as good as schools anywhere in the world."

Second Amendment

  • Excerpt: "I'm a solid advocate for our rights as guaranteed to us by the Second Amendment. I will vote to protect it."

State Budget

  • Excerpt: "Just like South Dakota families must live within their means, our state government must also. That means not spending more than we take in. State spending must align with our priorities and values as a people."

2012

Deutsch's campaign website highlighted the following issues:[1]

  • Excerpt: "On social issues, Deutsch is pro-life and supports the Second Amendment. On matters of fiscal policy, he favors low taxes and eliminating regulations he deems unnecessary, and favors expanding domestic energy supplies."

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Fred Deutsch campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* South Dakota State Senate District 4Lost primary$45,065 $0
2022South Dakota House of Representatives District 4Won general$16,895 $0
2020South Dakota House of Representatives District 4Won general$13,945 N/A**
2018South Dakota House of Representatives District 4Won general$28,071 N/A**
2014South Dakota House of Representatives, District 4Won $67,575 N/A**
2012South Dakota House of Representatives, District 4Lost $25,347 N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in South Dakota

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of South Dakota scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.


2024

In 2024, the South Dakota State Legislature was in session from January 9 to March 26.

Legislators are scored on their stances related to the Rapid City business community.
Legislators are scored on their votes related to business.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.


2023


2022


2021


2020


2019



2017


2016


2015



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External links

Candidate

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    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 freddeutsch.com, "Issues," accessed May 10, 2012
    2. ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "2016 General Election Candidate List," accessed August 21, 2016
    3. ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "2016 General Election Official Results State Canvas," accessed May 2, 2017
    4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 South Dakota Secretary of State, "2016 Primary Election Candidate List," accessed December 18, 2015
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 South Dakota Secretary of State, "State primary results," accessed June 7, 2016
    6. ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "Current Candidates for Primary Election," May 2, 2014
    7. ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "Primary Election - Official Results," accessed June 4, 2014
    8. ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "Official General Election Results - November 4, 2014," accessed November 12, 2014
    9. ↑ Office of the South Dakota Secretary of State, "2012 Primary Election Candidate List," accessed April 2, 2012
    10. ↑ Fred Deutsch campaign website, "Issues," accessed September 24, 2014


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