Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: More storms on the way
This week, you'll find the election results, but, spoiler: there aren't many answers just yet. The ballots are counted, but because so many races had more than two candidates, most races fell short of the required 50% threshold to win outright. So, we get to do this all again in three weeks. Don't shoot the messenger.
And now, news:
2026 CITY ELECTION
Why most city races went to a run-off
Simplified: We don't yet know who most of Sioux Falls city leadership will be after Tuesday night's election because the mayoral race and three of the four City Council races will go to a run-off. Here's where the candidates stand in a now-narrowed field.
Why it matters
- In the mayor's race, it came down to Christine Erickson and Jamie Smith, with 37% and 28% of the vote, respectively, in a crowded field of candidates vying to fill Mayor Paul TenHaken's shoes.
- Smith told Sioux Falls Simplified his campaign is going into the run-off with the "same hard work we've been doing all along."
"I want to be a mayor for all people in the city and a mayor who brings people together," he said.
- Erickson and SF Simplified ended up playing phone tag (it happens to the best of us), but she chatted with The Dakota Scout and said she's honored to make the run-off.
"We look forward to regrouping, getting back out into the community, and meeting with even more residents to listen to their concerns, share our vision, and continue earning their support," she said.
- The only fully decided race was At-Large B, where the lone City Council incumbent, Rich Merkouris, held onto his seat with 60% of the vote over challenger Samantha Scarlata.
- The other three City Council seats will go to a run-off because no candidate hit the required 50% of the vote to win a city election. Prior to 2017, council candidates were elected based on plurality, not majority – meaning a candidate could win with 34% of the vote. The Council considered returning to a plurality system last year to avoid costly run-offs, but ultimately opted to keep the 50% requirement.
Where do the council races stand? And what happens next?
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
Why Great Bear is worth checking out year-round
This is a paid piece from Great Bear Ski Valley.
Simplified: Great Bear Ski Valley isn't just a ski hill. With expanded trails, event space, and a summer calendar full of fun events, here's why you should add Great Bear to your summer (and fall, and winter, and spring) bucket list.
Why it matters
- In recent years, Great Bear has seen an increase in visitors, especially outside of the winter sports season. That's thanks in part to its hiking trails and regular summer events like the weekly Chill at the Hill series.
- In addition, Great Bear is seeing increasing popularity as a wedding venue. More couples are tying the knot at the hill, which is a "one-stop shop" for wedding planning, Sales Manager Jayne Vanderberg said.
- The park also recently completed phase one of new bike trails, with programming – including competitive races – planned in partnership with Falls Area Single Track. That's just one of many community partnerships bringing fun year-round events to Great Bear.
"We’re trying to support the community mission of getting people outside and in this beautiful area that’s in their back yard," Vanderberg said.
Tell me more
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Governor's race also goes to a run-off. The theme of the night Tuesday was "run-off." The Republican primary will also go to a run-off as current Gov. Larry Rhoden and challenger Toby Doeden face off to determine who will make the general election in November. The winner of that race will then face democratic challenger Dan Ahlers. South Dakota Searchlight has the breakdown.
- Rounds, Jackley handily win Congressional primary. U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds is one step closer to returning to Washington D.C. after clinching the Republican vote in the primary election on Tuesday. He'll face democratic candidate Julian Beaudion and independent Brian Bengs in November. And with no incumbent in the state's lone U.S. House seat as Rep. Dusty Johnson seeks the governor's seat, Republican voters elected Attorney General Marty Jackley to face democratic challenger Nicki Gronli in the general election in November.
- Incumbents win-out in school board. Sioux Falls voters clearly showed support for the direction the Sioux Falls School District is headed by rejecting challengers who wanted to do away with opt-out funds, which make up about $11 million annually in the district. Incumbents Marc Murren, Gail Swenson and Dawn Marie Johnson will serve another term.
- Meanwhile, down in Harrisburg, incumbent Mike Knudsen also hung onto his seat. He'll be joined by newcomer Tara Young, who saw 41% of the vote.
- Voters agree to fix typo. Voters agreed to pass all five charter amendments Tuesday night, including Amendment E, which corrected a typo in the charter. The two closest contests were on Amendment C, which will allow an elected councilor to take a city job without the required waiting period, provided they get a waiver from the Board of Ethics, and Amendment D, which provides more flexibility for the council to raise its own salary.
- Party on wheels.* SuFu Tractor is downtown Sioux Falls’ most unforgettable party on wheels – an open-air trailer pulled by a tractor, complete with a lighted dance floor, two bars and a booming sound system. Join us Friday and Saturday nights (and weekday nights upon request) from May to October for a 90-minute ride filled with music, dancing, drinks, and nonstop fun! Grab your crew and turn an ordinary night out into a moving celebration. Learn more here.
*Denotes a paid partnership
EVENTS
Stuff to do: June 3-9
- Mini golf down Main Ave. It's First Friday downtown this weekend, and this month's Open Streets event will bring a mini golf course down Main Avenue. No cars, just pedestrians and a whole bunch of vendors, entertainment. Hanging out is free – mini golf is $6/person or $20 for a family. Find more details here.
- Books + music = ❤️. The downtown library is partnering with the Levitt to bring internationally celebrated singer, saxophonist and composer Grace Kelly to a special event at 10 a.m. Monday. Families are invited to come for a kid-friendly workshop and mini-performance, and Kelly will also headline the Levitt Friday night. Details here.
- Support local artists. The Art Collective is bringing together a whole bunch of local artists this weekend in the Everist Gallery at the Washington Pavilion. Check it out Friday and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Details here.
- Trip back in time. Grab your sword, don your capes and trek over to the fairgrounds for the annual Siouxland Renaissance Festival this weekend. Rain or shine, they're celebrating 25 years of merriment with jousting, food trucks, vendors and fun for all ages. Details and tickets here.
- Catch some live music in the park. Good Earth State Park is kicking off its summer concert series this weekend with a performance from Mogen's Heroes on Sunday afternoon. Bring your lawn chairs, snag some grub from the food trucks and enjoy an evening outside. Details here.
- Chill at the greenhouse. Landscape Garden Centers is teaming up with local wellness practitioners for a morning to reset and recharge on Saturday. Catch a number of local pop-ups including a build-your-own-bouquet bar, pilates class, beauty vendors and a chance to make your own mini tea garden. Details here.
- Support women's wellness. Speaking of a reset...Selah Space's Ladies First event is also going down Saturday. It's basically a "choose your own adventure" novel of healing and wellness practitioners. You can sample different healing modalities like reiki, breathwork, understanding Human Design, family co-regulation and more. Each sample class does require a ticket, so snag yours here before they sell out.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
- Pimento pop tarts
- This orange crush
- YOU! I got so many incredibly sweet DMs and emails yesterday of people thanking me for my election coverage, and I do it all for you! I want to live in a community where folks feel empowered and informed, and, by golly, we're gettin' there!! You're the best. Keep reading and supporting local, independent news!
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Why the next big school bond will be for more than Whittier
The Sioux Falls School District has been talking about the need to replace the century-old Whittier Middle School building for years. But a recent task force convened to look at school district facilities took a much broader scope.
Megan Raposa
How South Dakota’s childcare crisis is impacting school-aged kids
A new study details the challenges South Dakota families face in finding quality care for their kids before and after school, and during the summer months.
Megan Raposa
Get a look at the new McKennan Park wading pool
Toddler parents, rejoice! After a summer of being closed – and a major glow-up – the McKennan Park wading pool is back open starting Friday afternoon.
Megan Raposa
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Thank you
Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including SafeSplash Swim School, Wayne & Mary's Nutrition Center, Startup Sioux Falls, Encompass Mental Health, the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, the Washington Pavilion, The Premiere Playhouse, The Good Night Theatre Collective and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.
Oh, by the way
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