Fiegen positioned to win reelection to South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commission

Public Utilities Commissioner Kristie Fiegen, a Republican, delivers her reelection victory speech on Nov. 5, 2024, in Sioux Falls. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

Republican Kristie Fiegen was positioned to win reelection to her seat on the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission in unofficial election results.

She led with 71% of the votes at 1:30 a.m. Central time Wednesday with 70% of statewide precincts fully reporting. Democrat Forrest Wilson had 24%, and Libertarian Gideon Oakes had 5%.

Oakes told South Dakota Searchlight he had conceded. Wilson did not return messages, and Fiegen gave a victory speech Tuesday night in Sioux Falls.

Republican former Gov. Dennis Daugaard appointed Fiegen to fill a commission vacancy in 2011. She was elected to a full term in November 2012 and reelected in 2018. She's the commission's chairperson.

The state's three public utilities commissioners oversee the regulation of private utility companies that provide essential services, including telecommunications, electricity and natural gas. They are assisted by a staff of analysts and lawyers.

The job of a commissioner is to ensure private utilities provide reliable services at fair rates. Commissioners also consider permits for major utility projects, such as power plants, transmission lines and pipelines.