NEW: PRIMARY ELECTION NEXT TUESDAY

JEREMY WALTNER  – PUBLISHER

Voters living in Hutchinson County will elect a new sheriff and weigh in on a number of other national, state and district races — as well as Constitutional Amendment C — in the 2022 primary election next Tuesday, June 7. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Candidates for sheriff are Maurice Waltner, a Hutchinson County deputy; and Barron Nankivel, emergency manager for Hutchinson County. Both are Republicans. The winner of the June 7 election will replace outgoing sheriff Jim Zeeb, who is retiring.

In a heavily contested District 19 race for state representative, five Republicans are vying for two spots in the South Dakota legislature. They are Caleb Finck of Tripp, Michael Boyle of Parkston, Jessica Bahmuller of Alexandria, Roger Hofer of Bridgewater and Drew Peterson of Salem.

(A note about the state Senate: Challenger Daniel F. Brandt of Avon, a Democrat, and incumbent Kyle Schoenfish, a Republican, are vying for District 19’s lone Senate seat. The men will square off in the November general election.)

Registered voters living in South Dakota will also choose a Republican candidate for governor; Steven Haugaard is challenging incumbent Kristi Noem. The winner will face Jamie Smith, the only Democrat on the ticket, in November.

In the primary race for United States Representative, challenger Taffy Howard is facing incumbent Dusty Johnson.

And in the primary race for United States Senator, challengers Bruce Whalen and Mark Mowry are looking to unseat senior Senator John Thune. The winner in the primary will face Democrat challenger Brian L. Bengs in November’s general election.

Finally, voters will also vote “yes” or “no” on Constitutional Amendment C, which would require a three-fifths majority vote to approve ballot measures that include new taxes or an increase in taxes.

For more on Constitutional Amendment C, see the story below.