I did it. I pulled myself up by my bootstraps. Now what, Pierre?
I first lived in Brookings as a 14-year-old foster kid, being bounced around between group homes and placements. Life back then was chaotic and unpredictable, but even in that short time, Brookings made an impression on me. I remember the people, the sense of community even if I was just a teenager passing through, I felt something here that I hadnt felt anywhere else. Despite a childhood filled with hardships and traumas, I never lost my determination to change my life. I became a father at 15, just a kid myself, trying to figure out how to be the parent my son deserved.
I made mistakes along the way, but I also fought hard to keep going. For over 20 years, Ive pursued a career in the service industry, moving from job to job, often working for wages that barely covered my costs. I wasnt handed anything; every step forward came from long hours, a willingness to learn, and finding strength in my struggles. Today, Im proud to be in a respected role within a nationally recognized team, doing work I love and following my lifes passion.
And yet, despite everything Ive accomplished, I still feel like Im swimming against the current. For someone who did everything right who worked, studied, and put himself through school as a single father the reality is this: the system makes it nearly impossible for people like me to get ahead. Wages set in Pierre dont keep up with the rising cost of living, healthcare is a constant worry, and affordable housing is hard to find. Even with my current position, I find myself calculating every month to make sure I can cover rent, healthcare, and the basics.
We talk a lot about the value of hard work, but for those of us in the working class, it often feels like lip service. Many of us are doing everything were supposed to do, but were held back by bad policy. Its a cycle of working to survive rather than working to live. And Im not alone in feeling that way; working families and small businesses across South Dakota face the same uphill battle.
I came back to Brookings because of its strong sense of community. Here, people still look out for each other, and I think thats worth fighting for. But we need leaders who understand the realities of working people in South Dakota leaders who recognize that hard work should mean a chance at stability and security, not a life of struggle. I know what it means to fight for every step forward, and I want to see Brookings grow in a way that values all of us, regardless of where we come from or the circumstances we came from.
This election, Im supporting Fedora Sutton-Butler and Blake Stevens for the District 7 House. They know what it means to work for every step forward and are committed to making sure others have the support they need to build their lives here. Fedora and Blake understand that things like fair wages, accessible healthcare, and affordable housing arent luxuriestheyre basic rights that help make our communities thrive. They understand that supporting small businesses and working families strengthens the entire community.
As we approach this election, I encourage everyone to think about the future we want for Brookings. I want South Dakota to be a place where people who work hard can get ahead, where the cost of living doesnt keep us on the edge, and where leaders respect the contributions of everyone who makes our communities thrive. Fedora Sutton-Butler and Blake Stevens believe in these values, and theyre ready to be voices for positive change in Pierre.
Today or Nov. 5, lets vote for representatives who believe that Brookings can be a place where hard work pays off, not just for a few but for everyone. Lets vote for leaders who dont just talk about values but actually live by them. Lets make Brookings a place thats fair, supportive, and full of opportunity for everyone who calls it home.
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