By Doug Kott | The Brookings Register
BROOKINGS — With no Democratic opposition, the two top vote getters in the District 8 Republican primary on Tuesday are assured seats in the state House of Representatives.
Todd Wilkinson of De Smet was the top vote-getter in the race with 2,657 votes for 37% of the vote, according to the South Dakota Secretary of State’s web site.
Jon Nelson of Lake Preston managed to get 1,606 votes for second place with 23% of the vote.
Danny Brown of Madison was the third-place finisher with 1,293 votes or 18%.
James Sapp of Bruce and Samuel Krueger of Elkton each receive 11% of the vote. Krueger got 778 votes and Sapp had 765 votes.
The vote tallies for Brookings County were only slightly different than the district-wide vote, according a report from the county.
Wilkinson was the top vote-getter in the county with 644. Nelson received 405 votes in Brookings County.
The two Brookings County residents were third and fourth in the county vote — Sapp got 361 and Krueger got 318. Danny Brown received 174 votes in Brookings County.
Wilkinson is a fourth generation South Dakotan who has worked in agriculture, the law and public service.
For nearly four decades he has practiced law in De Smet. He has also served as Kingsbury County state’s attorney for 20 years. His family also operates a cow, calf and cattle feeding operations.
“Like much of South Dakota, District 8 is focused on affordability, workforce challenges, housing, agriculture, and keeping our communities strong for the next generation, he said in a release.
Nelson has a career deeply rooted in agriculture. He and his wife, Cathy, have farmed for more than 40 years. Today they farm alongside their son and daughter-in-law.
In a release he said, “Protecting agriculture and landowner rights remains a major issue for District 8. Families are also concerned about affordability, property taxes, and making sure rural communities remain safe and strong. We need to support law enforcement, create opportunities for young people and working families, and ensure our small towns continue to have the schools, infrastructure, and economic opportunities needed to grow and succeed.”
— Contact Doug Kott at [email protected].
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