One incumbent and two challengers are running in Tuesday’s primary election be the District 1 Republican candidates in November. District 1 includes Marshall, Day and Roberts Counties and a portion of Brown County.
Democrats and Independents will also vote on Tuesday in the presidential primary. The candidates are Joe Biden, Armando Perez-Serrato, Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson.
In the Republican District 1 House primary, Tamara St. John of Sisseton is seeking reelection to a two-year term. Challengers Logan Manhart, Aberdeen, and Chris Reder, Warner, are also running in the primary. Republican incumbent Joe Donnell, Sisseton, is not seeking reelection.
The following are responses to a questionnaire sent to House candidates by the Marshall County Journal.
Please describe your personal background (family, occupation, etc.)
Logan Manhart: I am 25 years old. I am a Brown County Native. I got married in December and my wife and I will be having a baby girl in November. I work in construction and my family has been doing Real Estate in Aberdeen for the last 15 years or so. I spent 2023 in the Secretary of State’s office in Pierre. I spent 2020 on the Trump campaign while in college.
Chris Reder: I am a dad to a wonderful daughter. I was a Cryptologic Naval Intelligence Analyst for almost 7 years until a career ending service-connected accident. I am the Founder and CEO of the DTOM 22/0 Foundation and Veterans Ranch Non-Profit which is located just north of Warner, where we just celebrated our 7th year of serving Veterans, all at no charge in order to Honor The Oath we took to take care of each other. I was Honored with the SD Veteran of the Year and many other National Awards for the work here at the Foundation and with our Equine Program.
Tamara StJohn: I am from Sisseton and professionally, am a Historian and Archivist. I’ve served three terms as a legislator in the House of Representatives for District 1. I’ve served on the South Dakota Humanities Council and continue to work with Tourism and South Dakota Museums. I also serve on the Board of Directors for Arts South Dakota. I am the mother of four adult children that reside in South Dakota and I have a daughter in law who has blessed me with two grandsons and a granddaughter coming in October.
Why are you a strong choice for the Republican D1 ticket?
LM: Since I am a younger candidate, any change that happens in the legislature while I am there, I will get to see come to fruition in my lifetime. I have the energy; I work hard connecting with constituents face to face in the District. I am well versed in the issues facing Northeastern South Dakota. I am also a lifelong Conservative Republican. I am 100% pro life, Pro 2nd Amendment, Pro Local Law Enforcement, Pro Constitution, Pro low taxes, and 100% Pro Property Rights. I stand against Eminent Domain and Risky C02 Pipelines.
CR: I am a strong choice because of my Leadership and Conservative Values. I stand on core beliefs of God, Life and Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness and Freedom. I have a very strong voice of advocacy for Veterans and their daily struggles and care. This is a voice of strength that I would like to bring to the rest of the constituents of District 1 and all of South Dakota.
TSJ: I believe I’m a strong choice for District 1 because I have a track record of being an effective voice for us up here in rural Northeastern South Dakota. It’s easy to forget, but when I ran for office the first time in 2018, I was the first Republican on the ballot in over ten years and the first to win in twenty. It’s wild to think there was a time when us Republicans in District 1 didn’t even have one option to vote to represent us in Pierre year after year, so that makes me thankful to have been a part of making our district what it is today. Additionally, in my three terms I’ve been a conservative and effective voice in Pierre. I do my homework, I listen, I ask tough questions, and I approach every vote honestly and respectfully. If you want someone who will take the time to find the facts, to engage all stakeholders, and then make sound decisions as one of your representatives in Pierre, then I’d ask for your vote on June 4 this Republican primary election.
What sets you apart from your fellow candidates? ‘
LM: I do not support Eminent Domain for private gain, nor do I support Risky C02 pipelines. Not everyone in this race holds the same view. I am also pro local law enforcement, and am Socially Conservative.
CR: Some of the main things that separates myself from the incumbent is Property Rights, complete and total refusal for Eminent Domain for Private Gain, I have a perfect score on the Family Values Dakota Voter Survey, I also question the voting of the $135 million budget increase. Our families are hurting more than ever but year after year there is no cutting, only more and more spending. I also have an A Rating with the NRA.
TSJ: I’m the only incumbent in this race who has introduced, passed, and got legislation signed into law. I’m also the only female, Native American, lifelong resident with the deepest roots in our District. I’m the only incumbent who is NRA endorsed (A rated), 100% right to life, earned the “Conservative Achievement” award for my voting record, and so much more. I have nothing bad to say about either of my opponents and I appreciate their willingness to run and possibly serve. Two of us three will move on to the general election and possibly go on to serve next session in Pierre. It’s not an easy job and it takes a lot of communication, consultation, and engagement with people you may disagree with in order to be effective. I’m proud of the open, honest, and authentic record I’ve established in always going about things with respect, yet never wavering on my principles or the promises I’ve made to my fellow neighbors in District 1.
If elected, what would be your number one priority and how would you address it?
LM: Protecting Private Property rights and standing against Risky C02 Pipelines. I would support any bill that would allow Farmers to protect their lands from private companies putting C02 Pipelines on their property if they do not want it.
CR: Property Rights is a HUGE issue in the State of South Dakota right now and needs to be fixed immediately. This “Landowner Bill of Rights” is a complete travesty and total disinformation. Quite simply removing local control and allowing a private company to forcefully take a property owner’s land is flat out wrong. We in SD are allowing a precedent to be set that will NOT stop with just this co2 pipeline. What is next? Your house in town for a hotel? Any property is up for sale in SD to any private company, this in not just a rural problem, this is an entire state of South Dakota problem. This will fundamentally change the entire Foundation of this wonderful state if we don’t take a stand!
TSJ: You never know what’s going to be the biggest topics of discussion in Pierre session after session, but one piece that needs further discussion is property taxes in South Dakota. Unfortunately, this issue of rising property taxes keeps climbing without any relief in sight. It doesn’t just impact homeowners either. Those who are renting apartments or homes are stuck facing increasing rent prices and rising costs of living too. Luckily, there’s a summer study that is focusing on this very issue and I’ll do what I can to help advocate for a responsible solution to this growing problem.
What is your number two concern and what action do you think should be taken?
LM: Family issues. I would like to be on the Health and Human Services committee in the House. Families are the bedrock of our state and country, and making sure there is a flourishing environment in South Dakota for family to grow is something I support.
CR: A big issue of concern is Mental Health. Not just in the Veteran Community but the general public and our prison system as well. We need to delve very deeply into this issue and develop some outside the box thinking to solve it. Throwing money at a problem and expecting it to go away is not the answer and does not work. We need a new and groundbreaking plan in the State of South Dakota that serves everyone! I serve daily in this field helping our great veterans and have many ideas on this topic.
TSJ: If you’ve been watching or reading any news in South Dakota in recent months, it’s apparent we’ve reached an unfortunate low point between the State and Tribes that we haven’t seen in many years. I’ve helped pass legislative efforts to improve relations, solve problems, and build up relationships in our state. I’ll keep working from the legislative branch to show we can find common ground and work together.
WHERE AND WHEN TO VOTE:
The polls will be open from seven a.m. to seven p.m. central time on the day of the election.
A1 Britton Event Center Britton City Ward 1 1203 3rd St, Britton
A2 Britton Event Center Britton City Ward 2 1203 3rd St, Britton
A3 Britton Event Center Britton City Ward 3 1203 3rd St, Britton
A4 Langford American Legion 306 Main St, Langford, Langford Town, Sisseton, Hickman & Newport Townships
A5 Veblen City Hall 115 N Flick St, Veblen, Veblen City, McKinley, LaBelle & Veblen Townships.
A6 Lake City Lutheran Church 123 S 1st St. Lake City, Lake City Town, Lake, Hamilton, Red Iron & Dumarce Townships.
A7 Eden Community Center 302 Broadway Ave, Eden, Eden Town, Eden, Fort & Buffalo, Townships.
A8, & A9 County Community Building 909 South Main, Britton, Dayton, Newark, White, Stena, Miller, Victor, Pleasant Valley, Lowell, Waverly, Weston, Wismer, Nordland Townships.
