The South Dakota Democratic party announces Sen. Reynold Nesiba and Rep. Linda Duba will not run for seats in state government in 2024.
Outgoing state Democratic lawmakers said the leaders who will run to take their seats are more than capable of carrying the torch.
Jamie Smith is a former House Minority leader and Democratic candidate in last year’s gubernatorial election. He is running for Nesiba’s District 15 Senate seat, which represents central Sioux Falls.
“It was a great honor to serve this district in the House of Representatives. It was a great honor to serve as the candite for governor of the state of South Dakota. I worked tirelessly in both positions. I’ve been on the sidelines for a little while, its time to be back in the game. And I am excited about the opportunity that I have here today to run and run hard,” said Smith in a press conference.
Nesiba reached the state constitutional four-term limit in the Senate and does not have plans to serve in the House.
Erik Muckey is the chair of the Minnehaha County Democratic Party. He is running for Duba’s District 15 House seat.
“I come from a family of, people that many people in South Dakota can resonate with, educators and farmers. That work ethic, that sense of public service, that sense of duty to community has always been at the roots of who I am and I am very grateful to be in a position now to use my skills and put them to service for District 15,” said Muckey.
Duba said a desire to spend more time with her family is what led to her decision not to run for reelection or for Nesiba’s Senate seat.
“I came to the decision over Thanksgiving, I’m gonna move off the legislative scene. Its going to be hard, I’m going to miss my fellow legislators, I’m going to miss working on policy, but I don’t want to miss the things that are gonna happen in my family over the next several years,” said Duba.
Each outgoing state officials said they have the utmost confidence in the succeeding Democratic candidates.
Representative Kadyn Wittman is the only Democratic lawmaker running for reelection in District 15.
