Dakota
Voter
2026 SD Secretary of State Race
Heather Baxter – R
What are your top 2 priorities if elected?
What is the proper role of Government?
(video response not received yet)
Why are you the best candidate for the job?
In what ways do you stand out from your competitor(s)?
Why I’m the Right Choice for Secretary of State – The Secretary of State’s office is more than election night — it’s the front door for South Dakota’s small businesses, the record-keeper that voters and companies both rely on, and the office that has to work efficiently every single day of the year, not just in November. I’m running because this office matters and I am committed to the people of South Dakota!
On elections, every South Dakotan, regardless of party affiliation or which candidate they support, deserves confidence their vote is counted the same way, verified the same way and protected the same way. That means consistency across all counties, and transparency with the public. This office also runs the business registry that entrepreneurs depend on. Every LLC filing, corporate registration, and UCC lien needs to move fast and accurately — because a slow turnaround isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a real cost to someone trying to start or grow a business in South Dakota. I want an office that treats business filings with the same urgency a small business owner feels when they’re trying to open their doors.
The office also oversees notary commissions and professional licensing functions that South Dakotans interact with. These processes should be simple, fast, and predictable — not a bureaucratic maze. I’ll push for modernized, transparent systems so people aren’t left guessing about the status of their application.
And underlying all of it: public records and transparency. The Secretary of State’s office is a trust office. Whether it’s a UCC filing, a business record, or an election audit trail, the public has a right to access accurate information without running into stonewalling or unnecessary delay. I believe transparency isn’t a slogan — it’s a daily operating standard.
What separates me from the democrat and libertarian opponents in this race, is that I’m not treating this as a single-issue campaign. I know this is an office of service to the people, the law and the Constitution. I know where the office’s operations touch real people’s lives — business owners, notaries, licensees, and voters alike — and I’m prepared to run all of it well.
South Dakota deserves a Secretary of State who shows up for the whole job.
Community Endorsement:
(community endorsement not submitted yet)
Tamara J. Lesnar – L
What are your top 2 priorities if elected?
What is the proper role of Government?
(video response not received yet)
Why are you the best candidate for the job?
In what ways do you stand out from your competitor(s)?
(written response not received yet)
Community Endorsement:
(community endorsement not submitted yet)
Learn more about Tamara by visiting her:
Terrence Davis – D
What are your top 2 priorities if elected?
What is the proper role of Government?
(video response not received yet)
Why are you the best candidate for the job?
In what ways do you stand out from your competitor(s)?
I believe I am the strongest candidate for South Dakota Secretary of State because I offer a blend of public service, law enforcement background, policy knowledge, and dedication to serving all South Dakotans. My campaign is not about representing a single political party; it is about serving South Dakota residents.
What sets me apart is my focus on trust, fairness, modernization, andservice. As a former state trooper who served in Tennessee and South Dakota, I understand the importance of upholding the law, protecting people, maintaining public trust, and making fact-based decisions. I am also pursuing a doctoral degree in law and policy from Liberty University, which gives me an academic and practical perspective on how government can work better.
The Secretary of State’s office handles much more than just elections, including overseeing campaign finance, business filings, lobbyist registrations, and other key services. My goal is to make the office more accessible, transparent, efficient, and responsive to the public.
Heather Baxter brings legislative and small-business experience. Her campaign emphasizes election integrity, communication with county auditors, business services, government accessibility, and modernization of the Secretary of State’s website.
She has also emphasized paper ballots, hand-counting methods for all elections, and concerns about voting machines, pushing to ban them in South Dakota.
As a former Republican, what sets me apart is my combination of law enforcement, public policy, and government service experience, along with a commitment to bridging political divisions.
I believe modernization means using technology responsibly, improving access to information, strengthening services, protecting privacy, and ensuring secure, auditable elections.
South Dakota deserves a Secretary of State who will serve all South Dakotans, whether they are urban, rural, or tribal, with integrity, professionalism, and a clear vision for the future.
That is the leadership I intend to bring to the office.
Community Endorsement:
“Terrence Davis, I really like your transparency and your approach. I haven’t voted for many Democrats in the past, but after our phone conversation and seeing your campaign, I have to say I’ve been very impressed, sir!” – Ron W., a proud South Dakotan Republican
Learn more about Terrence by visiting his: