The General Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls will be open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm that day. See the box below for polling place information.
For all local, state and national races, see the sample ballot in last week’s Journal or visit our website at marshallcountyjournal.com.
For those who intend to vote absentee, the deadline to request a ballot is 5:00 pm on Monday, The Sec. of State’s office reminds voters to allow for adequate mail processing time when returning your absentee ballot to your county auditor’s office by mail. You may also drop off your absentee ballot in-person at your county auditor’s office.
All absentee ballots must be delivered to the county auditors by the time that polls close on election day in order to be counted. If an absentee ballot is received after that time, it may not be opened or counted, regardless of when it was mailed.
Voters may verify whether they have already requested an absentee ballot and check the status of their absentee ballot by searching the Voter Information Portal (VIP), on the Secretary of State’s website: https://vip.sdsos.gov/VIPLogin.aspx or contacting their county auditor.
In locally contested races, in addition to the county commisioner races (feature in last week’s paper), there are six candidates running for the District 1 House of Representatives seat. District 1 includes Marshall, Day and Roberts Counties and a portion of Brown County.
Candidates include Republicans Logan Manhart and Christopher Reder, Democrats Steven McCleerey and Mark Sumption, and Libertarians Josh Dennert and Tamara Lesnar. Incumbents Tamara St. John and Joe Donnell are not on the ballot this go-round. Voters can choose up to two candidates in this race.
In an effort to get to know the candidates better, the Journal asked them to respond to a questionnaire. Their answers are as follows.
Background Information
Logan Manhart (Republican): I am 26 years old and a Brown County native. My wife and I got married in December and we are expecting a baby girl the first week of November. It’s a busy time! My family and I have owned real estate in Aberdeen for about 15 years and I currently work in construction. I have an identical twin brother and my father Grant has been a professor at Northern State University for 26 years.
Christopher Reder (Republican): I have lived a life of service; I graduated from Aberdeen Central High School halfway through my senior year and enlisted in the United States Navy as a Cryptologic Naval Intelligence Operator. I held the highest Top Secret (SCI) Security Clearance and was involved in some of our Nation’s most important work. I was medically separated and after not finding purpose I chose to found the DTOM 22/0 Foundation in hopes of helping other Veterans with their struggles. We just finished the 2024 Equine Draper Sensory Method Season, where we helped with hundreds of sessions and added some civilian sessions as well. It is a state-of-the-art form of therapy that uses scientific principles to donations and grants, not a penny from Federal, VA or state.
Steven McCleerey (Democratic): My roots run deep here in the Sisseton, SD area. This is the place my family (three children and eight grandchildren) calls home. It’s where I was born, raised and educated. I attended elementary school as part of the inaugural graduating class of the (at the time) new high school and have been a part of community ever since. After time at SDSU, I returned home to purchase my grandmother’s farm, which I have farmed ever since. In addition to farming, I’m the Vice Chairman of the CDP Healthcare System board and the Chair of the CDP governance board. Our independent system was ranked among the top 20 in the nation for critical access hospitals. I previously served in the state House of Representatives from 2015 to 2021, where I received awards for my advocacy on rural issues like long-term care and infrastructure.
Mark Sumption (Democratic): I am a fifth-generation farmer here in District 1. Except for my time at SDSU, Frederick has always been home for my wife, our two daughters, and me. Besides farming with my brothers, I am an active member of the SD Farmers Union and served a full term on the Northern Electric board as well as the East River Electric Board of Directors.
Tamara Lesnar (Libertarian): My family comes from the Grenville, SD area and are agricultural farmers. I was born and raised in Chicago, IL but have been coming up since I was a baby when my parents would visit my father’s parents. As I got older, I worked my grandparent’s farm doing field and dairy work. I own a home in Grenville and my heart has always been here. I’ve been married twenty-four years, but we have been together for twenty-nine. We have four wonderful children and three grandchildren. I own 3 DBAs in South Dakota. I have an extensive education and work experience in many disciplines. I graduated from NDSU in 2007 with a Baccalaureate of Science in Zoology.
Josh Dennert (Libertarian): I was born and raised on a farm north of Columbia, SD in Brown County. I have lived in District 1 my whole life aside from going to Wyotech to achieve my degree, and a short period of time when I lived in Aberdeen. I now live north of Aberdeen a little ways in the country. I have been an Industrial Maintenance Specialist for 14 years. I have also been an Assistant Store Manager, Automotive Technician, and have held a handful of other part time/side job positions. Family wise, I have not been married, though I do have a girlfriend of seven years. She has three great children whom I have done what I can to help raise, guide and mentor into being hard working, successful, and upstanding adults they are today.
Why are you a strong choice District 1?
LM: I am a strong choice for District 1 because I work hard to represent all of District 1, not just small parts of it. I share many of the traditional South Dakota values that so many South Dakotans do. My ideas are not radical, they are common sense.
CR: I believe I am a strong candidate because I have lived a life of service for others. I represent and advocate for others on a daily basis and my life experiences have prepared me to tackle challenges like this.
SM: I have a lot of experience from my previous time in Pierre. While in the House of Representatives, I served on committees for Education, Health and Human Services, Military and Veterans Affairs, Retirement Laws, and State Affairs. I have a proven record that shows my ability to work with other legislators in Pierre to get above the drama and get things done.
MS: Faith, freedom, and family are cornerstones of my life and I have made them cornerstones of my campaign. Voters in District 1 don’t want to hear about DC issues from extremists on either side. South Dakotans are really asking, “How can we make childcare affordable for new families?” “How do we keep agriculture viable for the next generation of farmers?” “How do we stop property taxes from pushing people out of their homes?” These are the questions I want to tackle in Pierre, and, if elected that’s exactly what I’ll do.
TL: As a Libertarian candidate, I strongly believe in protecting your freedoms, your rights and property. I also believe in free markets and your autonomy to decide what you do with your body. I will always vote against anything that would allow our state government to deprive you of your rights and your property. Also any Amendments that include Articles that deprive you of them. I believe families are the future success of the state. Education and Nutrition are the building blocks for this. I will sponsor bills to increase the health care necessary for mothers and children, bills that feed our children, and bills that protect the disabled. I will sponsor bills with our agriculture and cattle farmers to shape policies that benefit them and small family farms. We need to have a plan developed for our changing climate to secure future revenues for them and determine the commodities they will need in the future for food security. I will sponsor bills that would help our Native American sisters and brothers have stronger communities with obtaining the needs that help and support their treaty.
JD: I am the choice for District 1 because I am here for the people and their personal rights and freedoms. The right of individual choice in life and property should never be trampled by the government, nor by a private person or company. Who better to know what will be best for an individual than the individual themselves? I follow the Non Aggression Principle (NAP). That means you and I have the freedom to live our lives (including our property and choices) as we see fit, as long as we do not cause harm to others. And I am here to work for the will of the people, which we have seen the opposite in the past from others in the state government. If the people speak, that decision will be my guiding principle.
What sets you apart from your fellow candidates?
LM: What sets me apart is my age. 50 years from now I hope to look back and see the positive effects I had on the state during my time in the legislature. I also work hard every day and every week to travel across the district to reach voters most people don’t talk to.
CR: What sets me apart is experience. I have served at the highest levels in the Intelligence Community .I have experienced what other areas have tried and if it works for them. I have seen firsthand what happens when it doesn’t work. I have experienced many different cultures and locations and I know we have a lot of good going on in South Dakota. It amazes me how many of these out-of-state individuals want to change our state to be like theirs. South Dakota is a great state, it has its challenges like any other state, but our people are willing to fight for what is right.
SM: District 1 voters need experience and leadership in Pierre. I’m the only candidate that’s ready to hit the ground running on day one. I have a strong record of showing up for my constituents, providing new money for rural retirement homes, improved access to funding for road maintenance, and a better deal for our public school teachers. When people go to vote, they should judge candidates on their actions more than their words, and my time in Pierre shows that when I make a promise, I mean every word.
MS: Other candidates running in this race represent a more urban perspective. People in the Aberdeen area need representation, but so do all of the folks in rural Brown, Marshall, Roberts, and Day County. If elected, I will be a strong voice for rural District 1 and always be available to my constituents. It’s important that we elect representatives that reflect our background as well as our values and that’s why I’m running to represent you.
TL: Having lived in a big city, a suburb and in a rural community I bring insight into how all others deal with their unique environments and circumstances. This type of sociology and psychology connects me with the people on a different level. I always look for the ultimate causes for dysfunction that shows the proximate cause of the problems we face today such as food insecurity and crime. Once the ultimate cause is identified you can then begin to fix the problem. Republicans want to only represent the Republican agenda no matter who it hurts and the same goes for the Democrats. I on the other hand represent all voters; no one is will under represented. Many Candidates want to be followers of other state policies and mega corporation’s sponsored bills. I want South Dakota to be its unique state paving the way to lead by protecting its citizens from intrusive government, government overspending and showing how free markets allow people to move up the economic ladder.
JD: I have walked a broad path in life. I have many experiences and learned many skills. I’m rather diversified in my knowledge base. I am one of few candidates who have farm experience. Same with being blue collar, not many blue collar workers in this race. I am an Everyman. I am the strongest because I am you and will work for you and your decisions.
If elected, what would your top priorities be and how would you address them?
LM: My top priorities are the Economy, keeping taxes low, and property rights. I would address them by passing or sponsoring legislation to support small businesses and families by decreasing taxes wherever we can and passing legislation to prevent Eminent Domain for private gain.
CR: One of the top priorities would be addressing property rights and ending any chance of eminent domain for private gain. We South Dakotans have worked so hard through generations to build this state, we cannot allow any out of state individuals or companies just to come in and take it for their private gain. South Dakota and Pierre also have a spending problem that needs to be addressed. Mental health concerns are a big issue facing South Dakota and the Nation and world and we need to have an open mind to all ideas and solutions not just “mainstream ideas”.
SM: The landowners’ rights issue needs another look. There’s a lot of uncertainty with this pipeline and it raises questions for future projects. The legislature needs to bring everyone back to the table for an honest conversation in 2025 that makes sure the rules are clear, fair, and that property owners in our district are given real protections. I also share the concern of many South Dakotans that property taxes have gotten out of control. There is no excuse for people being priced out of homes they have owned for years due to runaway taxes. As a farmer and a board member of the local credit union, I know how to balance a checkbook, and I look forward to heading to Pierre to get our finances back on track.
MS: Politicians in Pierre keep looking for a silver bullet for the childcare crisis, but they won’t find it. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. I have a plan to implement “built-to-order” programs that can expand access to affordable childcare, while making use of our strong network of churches, businesses, and families here in District 1. I also want stronger and clearer laws on the use of eminent domain, that protect landowners and level the playing field for stakeholders. Finally, it’s clear we need to go back to the drawing board on property taxes. Our formula has left a lot of our families holding the bag on an effective tax rate larger than some major cities, and we need better leadership from Pierre in building a fair tax plan.
TL: Women’s rights is very important to me and the only way to protect our rights is to stop governments from making laws that have judicial consequences. Women need better maternity care before and after childbirth. I will work to increase this need for proper care by slashing wasteful spending like the Future Fund and direct it towards this area. Children need support through food security and good education. I will sponsor a bill to bring back free lunches. Police and judicial reform- The bills I sponsor will help the conflict between law enforcement and their communities. The judicial system is stacked against any defendant in acquiring police reports and full official court transcripts. Pro Se plaintiffs and defendants need more resources as most lose their cases. We also need to fix the conflict of interest rule as there are not enough attorneys here.
JD: Generally, I will keep an eye out for government overreach. I will keep an eye on funding and making sure the budget is not being misappropriated. More specifically, I will make sure I do what I can to keep the word of the people the most powerful thing in the government by fighting for what the people vote in and choose. I will not sit by idly when the people speak in record numbers while the government then tells them it’s not what the people want. I will fight tooth and nail to be sure no small special interest has more power than the citizens of South Dakota.
