South Dakota House of Representatives District 18
South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 is represented by Julie Auch (R) and Mike Stevens (R).
As of the 2020 Census, South Dakota state representatives represented an average of 12,682 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 11,711 residents.
About the chamber
Members of the South Dakota House of Representatives serve two-year terms with term limits.[1] South Dakota legislators assume office the second Tuesday in January after the general election.[2]
Qualifications
To be eligible to serve in the South Dakota State Legislature, a candidate must meet the following qualifications:[3]
| “ | 21 years old; 2 years residency; qualified voter; may not have been convicted of bribery, perjury or other infamous crime; may not have illegally taken 'public moneys'[4] | ” |
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[5] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $13,436/year | $166/day for legislators who reside more than 50 miles away from the capitol |
Term limits
- See also: State legislatures with term limits
The South Dakota legislature is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the South Dakota Term Limits Act in 1992. That initiative said that South Dakota representatives are subject to term limits of no more than four consecutive two-year terms, or eight consecutive years. Representatives can run again after they have been out of office for a term.[6] The first year that the term limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 2000.
The South Dakota State Legislature has tried on more than one occasion, each time unsuccessfully, to persuade the state's voters to repeal term limits. The most recent such failed attempt was when Amendment J lost in 2008 by 75-25%.
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the South Dakota State Legislature, the governor is responsible for appointing a replacement. Under the state constitution, there are no deadlines set in the state constitution requiring when the governor has to fill a vacancy.[7]
See sources: South Dakota Const. Art. 3, Sec. 10
District map
Redistricting
2020 redistricting cycle
South Dakota enacted new state legislative districts after the legislature approved a compromise between two competing proposals. Both chambers voted to approve the final proposal, known as the Sparrow map, on November 10, 2021. The House approved the new districts in a 37-31 vote and the Senate by a vote of 30-2. Gov. Kristi Noem (R) signed the proposal into law later that night.[8]
Both chambers approved their own versions of the final map on the first day of the special legislative session, which began on November 8, 2021. The House passed its Grouse 2.0 plan by a vote of 48-20, and the Senate approved its plan, known as the Blackbird 2.0 map, in a 20-15 vote. The two proposals mainly differed in their approach to Native American reservations and the rural areas around Rapid City, and the Sparrow addressed both preserving Native American districts and reconfiguring the districts covering Rapid City.[8] These maps took effect for South Dakota's 2022 legislative elections.
How does redistricting in South Dakota work? South Dakota is home to a single at-large congressional district; as such, congressional redistricting is not necessary. State legislative districts are drawn by the state legislature. A simple majority vote in each chamber is required to pass a redistricting plan, which is subject to veto by the governor.[9]
The South Dakota Constitution mandates that state legislative districts be contiguous and compact. State statutes "ask that districts protect communities of interest and respect geographical and political boundaries." Because these latter requirements are statutory, they can be modified by the state legislature at its discretion.[9]
South Dakota House of Representatives District 18
until January 9, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
South Dakota House of Representatives District 18
starting January 10, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2024
See also: South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 (2 seats)
Incumbent Mike Stevens and incumbent Julie Auch defeated Paul Harens and Sarah Mechtenberg in the general election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Mike Stevens (R) | 35.6 | 6,872 |
| ✔ |  | Julie Auch (R) | 31.7 | 6,116 |
| Paul Harens (D) | 21.2 | 4,094 | ||
| Sarah Mechtenberg (D) | 11.6 | 2,233 | ||
| Total votes: 19,315 | |||
 = 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
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Paul Harens and Sarah Mechtenberg advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 18.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 (2 seats)
Incumbent Julie Auch and incumbent Mike Stevens defeated John Marquardt in the Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 on June 4, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Julie Auch | 38.6 | 1,504 |
| ✔ | | Mike Stevens | 32.6 | 1,273 |
| John Marquardt | 28.8 | 1,123 | ||
| Total votes: 3,900 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2022
General election
General election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 (2 seats)
Incumbent Mike Stevens and Julie Auch defeated incumbent Ryan Cwach and Jay Williams in the general election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mike Stevens (R) | 32.1 | 5,228 |
| ✔ | | Julie Auch (R) | 28.6 | 4,664 |
| Ryan Cwach (D) | 27.7 | 4,509 | ||
 | Jay Williams (D) | 11.6 | 1,895 | |
| Total votes: 16,296 | |||
| = 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
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Ryan Cwach and Jay Williams advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 18.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Mike Stevens and Julie Auch advanced from the Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 18.
2020
General election
General election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 (2 seats)
Mike Stevens and incumbent Ryan Cwach won election in the general election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mike Stevens (R) | 57.0 | 6,778 |
| ✔ | Ryan Cwach (D) | 43.0 | 5,109 | |
| Total votes: 11,887 | |||
| = 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
- Carol Williams (D)
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Ryan Cwach and Carol Williams advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 18.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Mike Stevens advanced from the Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 18.
2018
General election
General election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 (2 seats)
Ryan Cwach and incumbent Jean Hunhoff defeated Max Farver and Terry Crandall in the general election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Ryan Cwach (D) | 27.9 | 4,552 | |
| ✔ |  | Jean Hunhoff (R) | 27.2 | 4,444 |
| Max Farver (R) | 23.2 | 3,782 | ||
| Terry Crandall (D) | 21.7 | 3,547 | ||
| Total votes: 16,325 | |||
| = 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 18 (2 seats)
Terry Crandall and Ryan Cwach advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Terry Crandall | |
| ✔ | Ryan Cwach | |
| ||||
| = 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 18 (2 seats)
Incumbent Jean Hunhoff and Max Farver advanced from the Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Jean Hunhoff |
| ✔ | Max Farver | |
| ||||
| = 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
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 Mike Stevens and incumbent Jean Hunhoff defeated David Allen and Peter Rossiter in the South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 general election.[10][11]
| South Dakota House of Representatives, District 18 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Mike Stevens Incumbent |
37.07% | 6,296 | |
| Republican | Jean Hunhoff Incumbent |
31.75% | 5,393 | |
| Democratic | David Allen | 17.94% | 3,047 | |
| Democratic | Peter Rossiter | 13.25% | 2,250 | |
| Total Votes | 16,986 | |||
| Source: South Dakota Secretary of State | ||||
David Allen and Peter Rossiter defeated Christopher Svarstad in the South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 Democratic primary.[12][13]
| South Dakota House of Representatives, District 18 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | David Allen |
42.64% | 692 | |
| Democratic | Peter Rossiter |
37.28% | 605 | |
| Democratic | Christopher Svarstad | 20.09% | 326 | |
| Total Votes | 1,623 | |||
Incumbent Jean Hunhoff and incumbent Mike Stevens were unopposed in the South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 Republican primary.[12][13]
| South Dakota House of Representatives, District 18 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Jean Hunhoff Incumbent | |
| Republican | Mike Stevens Incumbent | |
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. Jay Williams and Terry Winter were unopposed in the Democratic primary. Incumbent Mike Stevens and Jean Hunhoff were unopposed in the Republican primary. Hunhoff and Stevens defeated Winter and Williams in the general election.[14][15][16]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Stevens Incumbent |
33.9% | 4,604 | |
| Republican | Jean Hunhoff |
29.2% | 3,966 | |
| Democratic | Terry Winter | 19.7% | 2,672 | |
| Democratic | Jay Williams | 17.2% | 2,336 | |
| Total Votes | 13,578 | |||
| Source: South Dakota Secretary of State | ||||
2012
Elections for the office of South Dakota House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on June 5, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 27, 2011. Incumbent Bernie Hunhoff (D) and Mike Stevens (R) defeated Thomas Stotz (R) and Charlie Gross (D) in the general election. Stevens and Stotz advanced from the Republican primary.[17][18]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bernie Hunhoff Incumbent |
31.5% | 5,589 | |
| Republican | Mike Stevens |
26.2% | 4,657 | |
| Republican | Thomas Stotz | 22% | 3,918 | |
| Democratic | Charlie Gross | 20.3% | 3,607 | |
| Total Votes | 17,771 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Thomas D. Stolz |
34.6% | 738 |
| Mike Stevens |
33.3% | 710 |
| Matt Stone | 27.5% | 586 |
| Thomas Bixler | 4.6% | 98 |
| Total Votes | 2,132 | |
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 raised a total of $713,764. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $13,467 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $166,205 | 5 | $33,241 |
| 2022 | $99,654 | 4 | $24,913 |
| 2020 | $26,318 | 2 | $13,159 |
| 2018 | $66,145 | 4 | $16,536 |
| 2016 | $36,967 | 5 | $7,393 |
| 2014 | $45,870 | 4 | $11,468 |
| 2012 | $64,775 | 6 | $10,796 |
| 2010 | $57,649 | 4 | $14,412 |
| 2008 | $32,677 | 5 | $6,535 |
| 2006 | $23,012 | 4 | $5,753 |
| 2004 | $8,878 | 2 | $4,439 |
| 2002 | $45,813 | 4 | $11,453 |
| 2000 | $39,802 | 4 | $9,951 |
| Total | $713,764 | 53 | $13,467 |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ termlimits.org, "List of state legislative term limits," accessed December 18, 2013
- ↑ South Dakota Constitution, "Article 3, Section 7," accessed February 16, 2021
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "Qualification to Hold Office & Term Limitations," accessed May 23, 2025
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ South Dakota State Legislature, "Legislative Terms of Office," accessed February 16, 2021
- ↑ South Dakota Legislature, "South Dakota Constitution Article III, Section 10," accessed February 3, 2023
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Black Hills Fox, "South Dakota lawmakers compromise on redistricting map in special session," November 10, 2021
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 All About Redistricting, "South Dakota," accessed April 23, 2015
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "2016 General Election Candidate List," accessed August 21, 2016
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "2016 General Election Official Results State Canvas," accessed May 2, 2017
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 South Dakota Secretary of State, "2016 Primary Election Candidate List," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 South Dakota Secretary of State, "State primary results," accessed June 7, 2016
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "Current Candidates for Primary Election," May 2, 2014
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "Primary Election - Official Results," accessed June 4, 2014
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "Official General Election Results - November 4, 2014," accessed November 12, 2014
- ↑ "South Dakota Secretary of State - Official General Election Results," accessed October 29, 2013
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "Official Primary Results," June 12, 2012
