Kyle Schoenfish

Kyle Schoenfish

Republican Party

South Dakota State Senate District 19

Tenure

2020 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

5

Predecessor

Stace Nelson

Prior offices

South Dakota House of Representatives District 19

Successor: Marty Overweg

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Compensation

Base salary

$13,436/year

Per diem

$166/day for legislators who reside more than 50 miles away from the capitol

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 5, 2024

Appointed

January 6, 2020

Contact

Official website

Campaign Facebook

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Kyle Schoenfish (Republican Party) is a member of the South Dakota State Senate, representing District 19. He assumed office on January 6, 2020. His current term ends on January 12, 2027.

Schoenfish (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the South Dakota State Senate to represent District 19. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

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

Schoenfish was assigned to the following committees:

• Senate Education Committee, Chair
• Senate Education Committee
• Senate Taxation Committee
• Senate Transportation Committee

2021-2022

Schoenfish was assigned to the following committees:

• Senate Education Committee, Vice chair
• Senate Government Operations and Audit Committee, Chair
• Senate Legislative Procedure Committee
• Senate State Affairs Committee
• Senate Transportation Committee
• Joint Legislative Procedure Committee

2019-2020

Schoenfish was assigned to the following committees:

• House Local Government Committee
• House Taxation Committee

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

South Dakota committee assignments, 2017
• Local Government
• Taxation

2015 legislative session

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

South Dakota committee assignments, 2015
• Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Local Government

2013-2014

In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Schoenfish served on the following committees:

South Dakota committee assignments, 2013
• Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Transportation

Sponsored legislation

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

2024

See also: South Dakota State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for South Dakota State Senate District 19

Incumbent Kyle Schoenfish defeated Michael Miller in the general election for South Dakota State Senate District 19 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kyle Schoenfish (R)	77.2	8,738
	Submit photo	Michael Miller (Independent)	22.8	2,583

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 11,321
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Kyle Schoenfish advanced from the Republican primary for South Dakota State Senate District 19.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Schoenfish in this election.

2022

See also: South Dakota State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for South Dakota State Senate District 19

Incumbent Kyle Schoenfish defeated Russell Graeff in the general election for South Dakota State Senate District 19 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kyle Schoenfish (R)	82.3	7,906
		Russell Graeff (D)	17.7	1,702

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 9,608
= 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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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Daniel Brandt (D)

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Daniel Brandt advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota State Senate District 19.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Kyle Schoenfish advanced from the Republican primary for South Dakota State Senate District 19.

2020

See also: South Dakota State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for South Dakota State Senate District 19

Incumbent Kyle Schoenfish won election in the general election for South Dakota State Senate District 19 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kyle Schoenfish (R)	100.0	9,766

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 9,766
= 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

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Kyle Schoenfish advanced from the Republican primary for South Dakota State Senate District 19.

2018

See also: South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 19 (2 seats)

Incumbent Kyle Schoenfish and incumbent Kent Peterson defeated John Koch, Roger Hofer, and Alison Bowers in the general election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 19 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kyle Schoenfish (R)	36.5	6,484
✔		Kent Peterson (R)	35.8	6,363
	Submit photo	John Koch (D)	11.9	2,114
	Submit photo	Roger Hofer (Independent)	9.5	1,681
	Submit photo	Alison Bowers (Independent)	6.4	1,133

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 17,775
= 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.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 19 (2 seats)

John Koch advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 19 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate
✔	Submit photo	John Koch

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= 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 19 (2 seats)

Incumbent Kyle Schoenfish and incumbent Kent Peterson defeated Michael Boyle in the Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 19 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kyle Schoenfish	41.4	2,393
✔		Kent Peterson	30.4	1,757
	Submit photo	Michael Boyle	28.2	1,630

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 5,780
= 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.

Incumbent Kyle Schoenfish and incumbent Kent Peterson defeated Melissa Mentele in the South Dakota House of Representatives District 19 general election.

South Dakota House of Representatives, District 19 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Kyle Schoenfish Incumbent	43.84%	7,583
	Republican	Kent Peterson Incumbent	40.10%	6,936
	Democratic	Melissa Mentele	16.06%	2,778
Total Votes				17,297
Source: South Dakota Secretary of State

Ardon Wek ran unopposed in the South Dakota House of Representatives District 19 Democratic primary.

South Dakota House of Representatives, District 19 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Ardon Wek  (unopposed)

Incumbent Kyle Schoenfish and incumbent Kent Peterson defeated ReGina Osborn in the South Dakota House of Representatives District 19 Republican primary.

South Dakota House of Representatives, District 19 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Kyle Schoenfish Incumbent	48.11%	1,983
	Republican	Kent Peterson Incumbent	40.00%	1,649
	Republican	ReGina Osborn	11.89%	490
Total Votes				4,122

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 Kyle Schoenfish and Kent Peterson were unopposed in the Republican primary. Schoenfish and Peterson were unopposed in the general election.

2012

See also: South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2012

Schoenfish won election in the 2012 election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 19. Schoenfish advanced past the Republican primary on June 5 and won election in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.

South Dakota House of Representatives, District 19, General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Stace Nelson Incumbent	40.4%	6,956
	Republican	Kyle Schoenfish	38.1%	6,550
	Democratic	Alan Fenner	21.5%	3,708
Total Votes				17,214

South Dakota House of Representatives District 19 Republican Primary, 2012

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Stace Nelson	34%	1,494
Kyle Schoenfish	29.6%	1,299
J.E. "Jim" Putnam	25.7%	1,129
Roger Hofer	10.7%	469
Total Votes		4,391

2010

Schoenfish was a Democratic candidate for the District 19 in the South Dakota House of Representatives in the November 2, 2010, state legislative elections. He was defeated by Edward Van Gerpen (R) and Frank Kloucek (D) in the November 2 general election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Kyle Schoenfish did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Kyle Schoenfish did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Kyle Schoenfish did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary

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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.

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Kyle Schoenfish campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	South Dakota State Senate District 19	Won general	$28,550	$0
2022	South Dakota State Senate District 19	Won general	$12,450	$0
2020	South Dakota State Senate District 19	Won general	$5,445	N/A**
2018	South Dakota House of Representatives District 19	Won general	$14,876	N/A**
2016	South Dakota House of Representatives, District 19	Won	$14,880	N/A**
2014	South Dakota House of Representatives, District 19	Won	$2,750	N/A**
2012	South Dakota House of Representatives, District 19	Won	$8,055	N/A**
2010	South Dakota House of Representatives, District 19	Lost	$4,645	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

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show].

In 2024, the South Dakota State Legislature was in session from January 9 to March 26. Elevate Rapid City Legislators are scored on their stances related to the Rapid City business community. Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes related to business. SD Citizens For Liberty Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. South Dakota Right to Life Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].

In 2023, the South Dakota State Legislature was in session from January 10 to March 27. Elevate Rapid City Legislators are scored on their stances related to the Rapid City business community. Family Heritage Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes related to business. SD Citizens For Liberty Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].

In 2022, the South Dakota State Legislature was in session from January 11 to March 28. Cannabis Industry Association of South Dakota/New Approach South Dakota/South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws Legislators are scored on their votes related to cannabis. Elevate Rapid City Legislators are scored on their stances related to the Rapid City business community. Family Heritage Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes related to business. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. SD Citizens For Liberty Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. South Dakota Multi-Housing Association Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to housing. South Dakota Right to Life Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the South Dakota State Legislature was in session from January 12 to March 29. Americans for Prosperity - South Dakota Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Elevate Rapid City Legislators are scored on their stances related to the Rapid City business community. Family Heritage Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes related to business. SD Citizens For Liberty Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. South Dakota Right to Life Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].

In 2020, the South Dakota State Legislature was in session from January 14 to March 30. SD Citizens For Liberty Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Family Heritage Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. South Dakota Right to Life Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].
In 2019, the South Dakota State Legislature was in session from January 8 through March 29. Family Heritage Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. SD Citizens For Liberty Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].

In 2018, the South Dakota State Legislature was in session from January 9 through March 26. Family Heritage Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. SD Citizens For Liberty Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. South Dakota Right to Life Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the South Dakota State Legislature was in session from January 10 through March 27. The legislature held a special session on June 12. American Clarion Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to firearm policy. Family Heritage Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. SD Citizens For Liberty Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. South Dakota Right to Life Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].

In 2016, the 91st South Dakota State Legislature was in session from January 12 through March 29. American Clarion: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. South Dakota Family Heritage Alliance Legislators are scored on if they voted for/against FHA's position. South Dakota Right to Life: 2015-2016 Scorecard Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the 90th South Dakota State Legislature was in session from January 13 to March 30. South Dakota Family Heritage Alliance Legislators are scored on if they voted for/against FHA's position. South Dakota Freedom Coalition: South Dakota Freedom Index 2015 Legislators are scored by the South Dakota Freedom Coalition on their votes on the "'top ten' issues affecting your freedom." South Dakota Right to Life: 2015-2016 Scorecard Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].

In 2014, the 89th South Dakota State Legislature was in session from January 14 to March 31. South Dakotans Fighting Animal Cruelty Together Legislators are scored on their votes on animal protection bills. South Dakota Right to Life: 2013-2014 Scorecard Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].
In 2013, the 88th South Dakota State Legislature was in session from January 8 to March 25. South Dakota Freedom Coalition: South Dakota Freedom Index 2013 Legislators are scored by the South Dakota Freedom Coalition on their votes on the "'top ten' issues affecting your freedom."

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South Dakota State Senate District 19

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Stace Nelson (R)	South Dakota State Senate District 19 2020-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	South Dakota House of Representatives District 19 2013-2020	Succeeded by Marty Overweg (R)

[show]

Current members of the South Dakota State Senate

Leadership

Majority Leader:Jim Mehlhaff

Minority Leader:Liz Larson

Senators

District 1

Michael Rohl (R)

District 2

Steve Kolbeck (R)

District 3

Carl Perry (R)

District 4

Stephanie Sauder (R)

District 5

Glen Vilhauer (R)

District 6

Ernie Otten (R)

District 7

Tim Reed (R)

District 8

Casey Crabtree (R)

District 9

Joy Hohn (R)

District 10

Liz Larson (D)

District 11

Chris Karr (R)

District 12

Arch Beal (R)

District 13

Sue Peterson (R)

District 14

Larry Zikmund (R)

District 15

Jamie Smith (D)

District 16

Kevin Jensen (R)

District 17

Sydney Davis (R)

District 18

Lauren Nelson (R)

District 19

Kyle Schoenfish (R)

District 20

Paul Miskimins (R)

District 21

MyKala Voita (R)

District 22

Brandon Wipf (R)

District 23

Mark Lapka (R)

District 24

Jim Mehlhaff (R)

District 25

Tom Pischke (R)

District 26

Tamara Grove (R)

District 27

Red Foster (D)

District 28

J. Marty (R)

District 29

John Carley (R)

District 30

Amber Hulse (R)

District 31

Randy Deibert (R)

District 32

Helene Duhamel (R)

District 33

Curt Voight (R)

District 34

Taffy Howard (R)

District 35

Greg Blanc (R)

Republican Party (32)

Democratic Party (3)