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South Dakota State Senate District 15
South Dakota State Senate District 15 is represented by Jamie Smith (D).
As of the 2020 Census, South Dakota state senators represented an average of 25,365 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 23,422 residents.
About the chamber
Members of the South Dakota State Senate 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 senators are subject to term limits of no more than four consecutive two-year terms, or eight consecutive years. State senators 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 State Senate District 15
until January 9, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
South Dakota State Senate District 15
starting January 10, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2024
See also: South Dakota State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for South Dakota State Senate District 15
Jamie Smith defeated Brenda Lawrence in the general election for South Dakota State Senate District 15 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jamie Smith (D) | 52.4 | 5,052 |
 | Brenda Lawrence (R) | 47.6 | 4,582 | |
| Total votes: 9,634 | |||
 = 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. Jamie Smith advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota State Senate District 15.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Brenda Lawrence advanced from the Republican primary for South Dakota State Senate District 15.
2022
General election
General election for South Dakota State Senate District 15
Incumbent Reynold Nesiba defeated Brenda Lawrence in the general election for South Dakota State Senate District 15 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Reynold Nesiba (D) | 52.8 | 3,697 |
| Brenda Lawrence (R) | 47.2 | 3,310 | |
| Total votes: 7,007 | |||
| = 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 Reynold Nesiba advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota State Senate District 15.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Brenda Lawrence advanced from the Republican primary for South Dakota State Senate District 15.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Alan Spencer (R)
2020
General election
General election for South Dakota State Senate District 15
Incumbent Reynold Nesiba defeated Thor Bardon in the general election for South Dakota State Senate District 15 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Reynold Nesiba (D) | 54.7 | 4,127 |
 | Thor Bardon (R) | 45.3 | 3,411 | |
| Total votes: 7,538 | |||
| = 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
- Brian Burge (Independent)
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Reynold Nesiba advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota State Senate District 15.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Thor Bardon advanced from the Republican primary for South Dakota State Senate District 15.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Brenda Lawrence (R)
2018
General election
General election for South Dakota State Senate District 15
Incumbent Reynold Nesiba won election in the general election for South Dakota State Senate District 15 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Reynold Nesiba (D) | 100.0 | 3,258 |
| Total votes: 3,258 | |||
| = 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 State Senate District 15
Incumbent Reynold Nesiba advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota State Senate District 15 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Reynold Nesiba |
| ||||
| = 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 State Senate 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 Angie Buhl O'Donnell (D) did not seek re-election.
Reynold Nesiba ran unopposed in the South Dakota State Senate District 15 general election.[10][11]
| South Dakota State Senate, District 15 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Reynold Nesiba (unopposed) |
100.00% | 3,666 | |
| Total Votes | 3,666 | |||
| Source: South Dakota Secretary of State | ||||
Reynold Nesiba defeated Patrick Kirschman in the South Dakota State Senate District 15 Democratic primary.[12][13]
| South Dakota State Senate, District 15 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Reynold Nesiba |
56.67% | 697 | |
| Democratic | Patrick Kirschman | 43.33% | 533 | |
| Total Votes | 1,230 | |||
2014
The general elections for the office of South Dakota State Senate took place on November 4, 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 25, 2014. Angie Buhl was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Buhl was unopposed in the general election.[14][15][16]
2012
Elections for the office of South Dakota State Senate 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 Angie Buhl (D) defeated Kathy Miles (I) in the general election and was unopposed in the Democratic primary.[17][18]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Angie Buhl Incumbent |
54.8% | 2,973 | |
| Independent | Kathy Miles | 45.2% | 2,455 | |
| Total Votes | 5,428 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for South Dakota State Senate District 15 raised a total of $413,082. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $17,960 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, South Dakota State Senate District 15 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $96,752 | 2 | $48,376 |
| 2022 | $78,582 | 2 | $39,291 |
| 2020 | $44,075 | 2 | $22,037 |
| 2018 | $1,913 | 1 | $1,913 |
| 2016 | $28,906 | 2 | $14,453 |
| 2014 | $4,290 | 1 | $4,290 |
| 2012 | $46,689 | 2 | $23,345 |
| 2010 | $41,067 | 2 | $20,534 |
| 2008 | $11,859 | 2 | $5,930 |
| 2006 | $14,887 | 2 | $7,444 |
| 2004 | $11,094 | 2 | $5,547 |
| 2002 | $19,420 | 2 | $9,710 |
| 2000 | $13,549 | 1 | $13,549 |
| Total | $413,082 | 23 | $17,960 |
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, 2205
- ↑ 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
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "2016 Primary Election Candidate List," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "State primary results," accessed June 7, 2016
- ↑ 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, "Current Candidates for Primary Election," accessed May 2, 2014
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State - Official General Election Results
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "Official Primary Results," June 12, 2012
