Lance Russell
Lance Russell (Republican Party) is running for election for Attorney General of South Dakota. He declared candidacy for the general election scheduled on November 3, 2026.[source]
Russell (Republican Party) was a member of the South Dakota State Senate, representing District 30. He assumed office on January 10, 2017. He left office on January 11, 2021.
He is a former Republican member of the South Dakota House of Representatives, representing District 30 from 2009 to 2017.
Biography
Russell's professional experience includes working as an attorney.[1]
Committee assignments
2019-2020
Russell was assigned to the following committees:
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| South Dakota committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Judiciary, Chair |
| • Taxation |
| • Transportation |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Russell served on the following committees:
| South Dakota committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Judiciary |
| • Taxation |
2013-2014
In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Russell served on the following committees:
| South Dakota committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Taxation |
| • Transportation |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Russell served on the following committees:
| South Dakota committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Judiciary |
| • Taxation |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Russell served on the following committees:
| South Dakota committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Taxation |
| • 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
2026
See also: South Dakota Attorney General election, 2026
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for Attorney General of South Dakota
Austin Hoffman and Lance Russell are running in the general election for Attorney General of South Dakota on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Austin Hoffman (R) | ||
| Lance Russell (R) | ||
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Endorsements
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2020
See also: South Dakota State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for South Dakota State Senate District 30
Julie Frye-Mueller defeated Gideon Oakes in the general election for South Dakota State Senate District 30 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Julie Frye-Mueller (R) | 71.3 | 10,043 | |
Gideon Oakes (L) ![]() | 28.7 | 4,046 | ||
| Total votes: 14,089 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for South Dakota State Senate District 30
Julie Frye-Mueller defeated George Kotti in the Republican primary for South Dakota State Senate District 30 on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Julie Frye-Mueller | 51.9 | 2,477 | |
| George Kotti | 48.1 | 2,297 | ||
| Total votes: 4,774 (100.00% precincts reporting) | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Lance Russell (R)
Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for South Dakota State Senate District 30
Gideon Oakes advanced from the Libertarian convention for South Dakota State Senate District 30 on May 9, 2020.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Gideon Oakes (L) ![]() | |
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2018
General election
General election for South Dakota State Senate District 30
Incumbent Lance Russell defeated Kristine Winter and Gideon Oakes in the general election for South Dakota State Senate District 30 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Lance Russell (R) | 56.7 | 6,652 | |
| Kristine Winter (D) | 25.1 | 2,943 | ||
| Gideon Oakes (L) | 18.2 | 2,134 | ||
| Total votes: 11,729 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for South Dakota State Senate District 30
Kristine Winter advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota State Senate District 30 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Kristine Winter | |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for South Dakota State Senate District 30
Incumbent Lance Russell defeated Bruce Rampelberg and Patricia Shiery in the Republican primary for South Dakota State Senate District 30 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Lance Russell | 58.1 | 2,547 | |
| Bruce Rampelberg | 29.3 | 1,283 | ||
| Patricia Shiery | 12.7 | 556 | ||
| Total votes: 4,386 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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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.
Lance Russell defeated Karla R. LaRive in the South Dakota State Senate District 30 general election.[2][3]
| South Dakota State Senate, District 30 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | 71.53% | 9,176 | ||
| Democratic | Karla R. LaRive | 28.47% | 3,653 | |
| Total Votes | 12,829 | |||
| Source: South Dakota Secretary of State | ||||
Karla R. LaRive ran unopposed in the South Dakota State Senate District 30 Democratic primary.[4][5]
| South Dakota State Senate, District 30 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | ||
Lance Russell defeated incumbent Bruce Rampelberg in the South Dakota State Senate District 30 Republican primary.[4][5]
| South Dakota State Senate, District 30 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | 59.20% | 2,396 | ||
| Republican | Bruce Rampelberg Incumbent | 40.80% | 1,651 | |
| Total Votes | 4,047 | |||
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. Incumbents Mike Verchio and Lance Russell defeated Julie Frye-Mueller in the Republican primary. Gardner Gray ran as an independent candidate. Russell and Verchio defeated Gray in the general election.[6][7][8]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 39.5% | 5,775 | ||
| Republican | 36.9% | 5,384 | ||
| Independent | Gardner Gray | 23.6% | 3,443 | |
| Total Votes | 14,602 | |||
| Source: South Dakota Secretary of State | ||||
2012
Russell won re-election in the 2012 election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 30. Russell and fellow incumbent Mike Verchio defeated Tim Behlings, Travis L. Bies, and Florence K. Thompson in the Republican primary on June 5. No Democratic candidates filed for election. Russell and Verchio ran in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[9][10]
2010
Russell ran for re-election to District 30 of the South Dakota House of Representatives. Russell and Mike Verchio (incumbent) both ran unopposed in the June 8 Republican primary.[11] Russell and Verchio defeated Kathleen Ann (D) in the general election on November 2, 2010.[12]
| South Dakota State House, District 30 (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| 7,439 | 44.10% | |||
| 5,829 | 34.55% | |||
| Kathleen Ann (D) | 3,601 | 21.35% | ||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
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2020
Lance Russell did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
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.
Scorecards
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 scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Dakota State Legislature in 2020.
- Family Heritage Alliance — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Family Voice Action — Legislators are scored on bills related to family issues.
- 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.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Dakota State Legislature in 2019.
- Family Heritage Alliance — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Family Voice Action — Legislators are scored on bills related to family issues.
- 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.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Dakota State Legislature in 2018.
- Family Heritage Alliance — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Family Voice Action — Legislators are scored on bills related to family issues.
- 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.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Dakota State Legislature in 2017.
- 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.
- Family Voice Action — Legislators are scored on bills related to family issues.
- 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.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Dakota State Legislature in 2016.
- American Clarion — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Family Heritage Alliance — Legislators are scored on if they voted for/against FHA's position.
- Family Voice Action — Legislators are scored on bills related to family 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.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Dakota State Legislature in 2015.
- Family Heritage Alliance — Legislators are scored on if they voted for/against FHA's position.
- Family Voice Action — Legislators are scored on bills related to family issues.
- South Dakota Freedom Coalition — 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 — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Dakota State Legislature in 2014.
- South Dakotans Fighting Animal Cruelty Together — Legislators are scored on their votes on animal protection bills.
- 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.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Dakota State Legislature in 2013.
- South Dakota Freedom Coalition — Legislators are scored by the South Dakota Freedom Coalition on their votes on the "'top ten' issues affecting your freedom."
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Dakota State Legislature in 2012.
- S.D. GOP Platform Accountability — Legislators are scored based on their votes as they relate to the S.D. GOP platform.
- South Dakota Freedom Coalition — 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 — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Dakota State Legislature in 2011.
- Republican Liberty Caucus of South Dakota — Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills related to firearms policy.
- S.D. GOP Platform Accountability — Legislators are scored based on their votes as they relate to the S.D. GOP platform.
- South Dakota Freedom Coalition — Legislators are scored by the South Dakota Freedom Coalition on their votes on the "'top ten' issues affecting your freedom."
2016 Republican National Convention
- See also: Republican National Convention, 2016
| Lance Russell | |
| Republican National Convention, 2016 | |
| Status: | Delegate |
| State: | South Dakota |
| Bound to: | Donald Trump |
| Delegates to the RNC 2016 | |
| Calendar and delegate rules overview • Types of delegates • Delegate rules by state • State election law and delegates • Delegates by state | |
Russell was a delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention from South Dakota. All 29 delegates from South Dakota were bound by state party rules to support Donald Trump at the convention.[13] As of July 13, 2016, Trump had approximately 1,542 delegates. The winner of the Republican nomination needed the support of 1,237 delegates. Trump formally won the nomination on July 19, 2016.
Delegate rules
Delegates from South Dakota to the 2016 Republican National Convention were elected at a state convention in March 2016 and allocated after the South Dakota presidential primary election on June 7, 2016. All delegates from South Dakota were bound by state party rules on the first ballot at the national convention to support the candidate to whom they were allocated.
South Dakota primary results
| South Dakota Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | Delegates | |
|
|
67.1% | 44,867 | 29 | |
| Ted Cruz | 17% | 11,352 | 0 | |
| John Kasich | 15.9% | 10,660 | 0 | |
| Totals | 66,879 | 29 | ||
| Source: The New York Times and South Dakota Secretary of State | ||||
Delegate allocation
South Dakota had 29 delegates at the 2016 Republican National Convention. Of this total, three were district-level delegates (representing the state's single congressional district) and 23 served as at-large delegates. South Dakota's district and at-large delegates were allocated on a winner-take-all basis; the plurality winner of the statewide primary vote received all of the state's district and at-large delegates.[14][15]
In addition, three national party leaders (identified on the chart below as RNC delegates) served as bound delegates to the Republican National Convention. The RNC delegates were required to pledge their support to the winner of the state's primary.[14][15]
See also
2026 Elections
External links
|
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Lance Russell's Biography," accessed July 1, 2017
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 South Dakota Secretary of State, "2016 Primary Election Candidate List," accessed December 18, 2015
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 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 election results for 2012," accessed March 11, 2014
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "Official Primary Results," June 25, 2012
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "Official results," June 25, 2018
- ↑ South Dakota House of Representatives, "Official General Election Results, 2010," accessed March 11, 2014
- ↑ South Dakota GOP, "SDGOP elects Delegates and Alternates for the Republican National Convention," March 21, 2016
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Republican National Committee, "2016 Presidential Nominating Process," accessed October 6, 2015
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 CNN.com, "Republican National Convention roll call vote," accessed July 20, 2016 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "rollcallvote" defined multiple times with different content
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Bruce Rampelberg (R) |
South Dakota State Senate District 30 2017 - 2021 |
Succeeded by Julie Frye-Mueller (R) |
| Preceded by - |
South Dakota House of Representatives District 30 2009–2017 |
Succeeded by Tim Goodwin (R) |
= candidate completed the 