Jessica Dale - March 24, 2025

Did you get out and vote? If not, you are not the only one. Turn out at the poles was low compared to how many registered voters there are. In general it seems like incumbents tend to win over challengers and for the elections listed below, 67% of the incumbents won their election. Here is just a quick recap if you haven't seen the numbers.

In Belle Fourche for Monte Talkington's ward 1 seat - Kristal Steeves won with 31 votes, Karen Davis had 25 votes, and Ivy Zimmerschied 18 votes. Incumbent Clark Sowers 73 votes lost to Lee Capp's 108 votes for ward 2. Dean Brunner and Robert Somervold ran unopposed and will have the seats for ward 3 and 4.

Spearfish ward 1 incumbent Marty Clark lost to Dean Myers, 188 to 252 votes, Raeann Mettler had 131 votes. Incumbent Larry Klarenbeek defeated Victoria Greenlee for ward 2's council seat, with 284 to 223 votes. Ana Rath the incumbent for ward 3 will keep her seat with 381 votes to Michaela Madrid's 248 votes. In the mayoral election, Mayor John Senden won his second term against challenger Micah Peters; 1,040 votes to 711 votes.

Deadwood's mayoral election was won by Charlie Struble-Mook with 306 votes over Blake Joseph's 88 votes.

The new mayor for Lead will be Dustin Heupel. He defeated Eddie Muñoz for Mayor Everett's position, 286 to 255.

Those living in the Lead-Deadwood School District voted for two school board members; Amber A. Vogt (316 votes) and Tim Madsen (285 votes) defeating Robin Lucero (270 votes).

Sturgis Mayor Kevin Forrester and council members Alex Usera, ward 1, and Tony Dargatz, ward 2, all ran unopposed and will retain their positions. Incumbent Mark Chaplin for ward 3 defeated his challenger David Murtha by 138 votes to 77 votes. Terry Jensen will fill the vacant ward 4 seat after winning against Steve Shuck, 117 to 82.