BROOKINGS — Three Republicans are vying for two open seats in District 7 in the primary election on June 2, and it’s up to GOP voters to determine which two will advance to the general election in November.
The three candidates are two incumbents — Roger DeGroot and Mellissa Heermann — along with newcomer Dennis Willert. All three live in Brookings and are hoping to represent the district in the South Dakota House.
They recently took the time to answer a variety of questions — including experience, priorities and lawmakers’ role in economic development — from The Brookings Register. Their verbatim answers are found below.
What would you like to tell our readers about yourself?
• DeGroot: It has been an absolute honor to represent District 7 for the past four years. To me, public service is simple: You listen carefully, you lead responsibly and you always put the priorities of the people first.
That approach comes from a lifetime rooted in education and community service. I’ve been privileged to see our schools from every angle — as a teacher, coach, elementary principal, superintendent and school board member. Those experiences taught me the value of true accountability and open communication.
Grounding all of this is my family. Diane and I have been married for 55 years, and we have three children and nine grandchildren. They keep me grounded, and they’re the reason I work so hard to ensure our district has a strong, prosperous future.
• Heermann: My husband Cody and I, along with our three kids, have called Brookings home for almost 20 years. I serve as the revenue cycle director at Brookings Health System and previously spent almost 17 years at Daktronics.
Public service is woven into the fabric of who I am, from serving on the Lake Preston City Council and as mayor to six years on the Brookings School Board and now completing my fourth year serving in the South Dakota House of Representatives. I believe in listening, researching, working hard and making thoughtful decisions that put people first.
• Willert: My wife and I are raising five young men, with 16 years and two days between our oldest and youngest. Our home has seen every stage of family life at once: noisy suppers, busy schedules, big questions, and the responsibility of raising sons with faith, character, work ethic and courage.
Brookings has been home for more than 18 years. We have built our clinic here, worshiped here, served here, coached here and raised our family here. I grew up near Verdi and Lake Benton, milking cows, driving tractors and learning early that every chore mattered.
Those lessons still guide me: Listen first. Find the source. Make a plan. Follow through.
Why are you running for a seat in the South Dakota House?
• DeGroot: I’m running for the South Dakota House to continue bringing common sense servant leadership to Pierre. Over the last four years, I’ve done exactly what I promised: I’ve represented District 7 with absolute integrity. I want to keep that momentum going. My goal is to continue listening to your concerns, fighting for our shared values and making the tough decisions required to strengthen our community for years to come. I would be honored to earn your continued trust and support, and I humbly ask for your vote in the primary on June 2.
• Heermann: I am running because I care deeply about our communities and believe experience, steady leadership, professionalism and thoughtful decision-making matter.
Over the last four years, I have worked hard to be accessible, responsive and prepared. I’m running again because there is still important work to do supporting strong schools, protecting vulnerable South Dakotans, strengthening our workforce and being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.
• Willert: I am running because I have listened to people across District 7 for years — in my clinic, at church, in stores, at ball games and over coffee.
People are worried about property taxes, housing, utilities, schools, family pressure and whether the government still hears regular people. They are not asking the government to run their lives. They want leaders who respect their work, faith, families, farms, schools, businesses and freedom.
I love this community. I see its strength in farm lights before sunrise, Main Street storefronts, SDSU energy, school events and busy family kitchens. I want to strengthen District 7 at the source.
What sets you apart from your opponents? Why should people vote for you?
• DeGroot: Today, what sets me apart is a lifetime of hands-on experience and a deep commitment to serving our community. I understand the real issues facing District 7 because I’ve lived them alongside you.
My years in education give me an unmatched, firsthand knowledge of the challenges inside our classrooms. Serving on the Education Committee, I use that background to advocate for our schools, protect local control and champion meaningful cost-of-living raises for our teachers.
They shouldn’t have to fall behind while preparing our youth for the future. That specialized knowledge, combined with my record of common-sense leadership, is exactly what sets me apart in this race.
• Heermann: I bring a broad range of experience in local and state government, healthcare, education and business. I have spent time working with professionals in mediating conflict and in business settings navigating complex operations.
Another strength I bring to the table is steady and thoughtful leadership. I am slow to anger and quick to listen. I listen first, value respectful dialogue, and work hard to understand issues from multiple perspectives before making decisions.
• Willert: I bring a different life experience. I run a small business. I have to show up every day, serve people well, earn trust, make payroll and carry responsibility. I will show up for District 7 the same way.
I also understand what is coming for our children. I am raising young children while artificial intelligence and emerging technology reshape work, education, privacy and opportunity. The legislature needs to take that future seriously.
On values, voters deserve clarity. I would have voted yes on House Bill 1184, which defined “man” and “woman” in state law. It passed and was signed March 30, but one of our incumbents voted no.
What are the most important issues facing the legislative district?
• DeGroot: One of the most important issues facing the Legislature today is our state budget and the lack of available resources. We all must be responsible with taxpayer dollars, while making smart investments in our future. That means prioritizing steady, reliable funding for our classrooms and investing in workforce development to keep our local economy strong. If we want our next generation to stay and build their lives in South Dakota, our budget needs to reflect those long-term priorities.
• Heermann: As I have talked to constituents in our district — either going door to door or at events — the common thread is a broad concern at underfunding the Big Three: K-12 education, state employee salaries and Medicaid health care providers. People are worried that there is not a great enough priority on funding our primary state obligations.
• Willert: The biggest issue is the rising cost of staying rooted here.
Property taxes hit seniors, farm families, young couples, renters and small businesses. People feel those bills at the kitchen table. We need serious property tax relief while protecting schools, counties, emergency services and local needs.
Energy costs also matter. Data centers and large power users raise fair questions about grid demand, water, incentives and who pays long term.
The question is simple: Are we leaving District 7 better for our children?
How do you envision the legislature’s role in economic development?
• DeGroot: Economic development is about creating an environment where communities can thrive. Here in District 7, we see the power of that firsthand with major expansions like Bel Brands, which brings jobs and critical support to our regional ag economy.
As your representative, my role is to protect and improve South Dakota’s business climate. I will continue to support smart state investments, advocate for workforce development and ensure we have the stable regulatory environment needed to attract innovative employers and high-quality jobs to our district.
• Heermann: The legislature should help create an environment where businesses, families and communities can thrive. That means supporting strong schools, workforce development, infrastructure, housing and responsible policies that encourage growth.
Economic development is also about quality of life, safe communities, access to healthcare and opportunities that help people build careers, raise families and stay in South Dakota.
• Willert: Government should clear the path, protect taxpayers and help South Dakotans build, hire, grow and stay.
South Dakota has 96,770 small businesses, 98.9% of all businesses in the state, employing 216,705 people. District 7 was built by entrepreneurs: Banks, builders, manufacturers, contractors, landlords, tradesmen and family businesses.
We also have SDSU’s land-grant mission and R1 pursuit, aimed at research, opportunity and service to South Dakota. We should retain SDSU graduates, grow skilled trades and build housing families can afford.
Election information
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 2. In Brookings County, registered voters can vote at the following locations:
• In Aurora: The Impact Church — 201 E. Pine St.
• In Brookings: Holy Life Tabernacle — 241 Mustang Pass; Brookings Activity Center — 320 Fifth Ave.; Bethel Baptist Church Area 1 and Area 2 — 714 17th Ave. S.
• In Bruce: Community Club — 409 Jefferson St.
• In Elkton: Community Center — 109 Elk St.
• In Volga: Community Center — 109 Samara Ave.
• In White: McKnight Hall — 228 W. Main St.
— Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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