Hulse, Ladner and Goodwin win in South Dakota District 30
Newcomer Amber Hulse will join the South Dakota Senate.
Hulse, a Republican, beat Democrat Bret Swanson in the District 30 race. Hulse garnered 74% of the vote to Swanson's 26%, according to unofficial results from the South Dakota Secretary of State's Office. The district includes all or part of Pennington, Fall River and Custer counties.
"It's a huge honor, but also a huge relief. It's been a long 11 months of campaigning, and people are not always kind, especially when it's a presidential election in the same year," said Hulse, who lives in Hot Springs but will soon move to Hermosa. "But this has been something that I've been working towards since I was, you know, 13 years old, and so it's a, you know, life goal, dream of mine come true, but also just the honor of my lifetime to get to serve the people who made me who I am."
Ahead of the vote, Hulse listed property taxes among issues that are important to her. Regarding taxes, Hulse said she's glad Initiated Measure 28 — which would have prohibited sales tax on items used for human consumption — failed.
"Because that will create headwinds for us to actually maybe do something with the state budget, because there was a lot of concern if that did, in fact pass, that we were going to be figuring out sales tax instead of property tax. I think one of the areas ... we're starting, finally, to hear people talk about, is the school funding formula, because most of the property taxes go to funding schools," she said, noting school choice is expected to be a topic at the next session. "I think we're given a golden opportunity with the sales tax thing not passing and then school funding coming up with a bunch of school choice bills to really see this issue, have a chance to actually get something through both chambers and to the governor."
Hulse said the key to tackling property taxes is working toward a better solution on property valuations. She said a summer study session looked at the topic, with a key piece examining the assessment process county-by-county because, "a lot of these assessors offices don't get enough guidance from the state as to actually how to do this."
"(Places like) Custer and Hot Springs ... they're not magically wealthy over the last four years, as the property tax formula would suggest. And so I think looking at is the state getting a windfall, we're obviously collecting a lot more money. Where is all that money going?" she said. "So that's going to be one of my things is to track down where is this increase in money going? Because we're all absolutely paying in more, but no one seems to know where it's going, because teachers are still asking for their salaries to be increased, and you know, our schools are still not performing well."
Dist. 30 House
Ladner said she's "thrilled" to be heading to Pierre for a third term.
"I love serving the people of District 30. And I don't go with a cause, I go to serve the people and to represent them," she said.
The focus for Ladner is property taxes, which was a key topic listed on her campaign website, with a portion of the "contact us" form dedicated to the issue.
Ladner said lawmakers have worked on the issues for about two years, digging in during the aforementioned summer study. She said she expects a bill to come forward during the Legislature session that's, "a good first step to capping the inflating valuations on property, and I think it'll probably, in the end, be a two step plan, but I'm hopeful. I've got a lot of good momentum going, good support from legislators and lobbyists, so I'm encouraged and excited to work."
Looking back, Ladner said she's also proud of her previous work on agriculture and elder issues.
The Legislature will choose its leadership on Friday. Ladner's put her name forward for one of the majority whip positions. Whips work with leadership and members, working to move the delegation in the same direction.
"I am throwing my hat in that because I love to build teams and I love to mentor people. I think it's a good, good fit for me, and I hope other people do too," she said.
Swanson, Goodwin and Scheirbeck did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
PHOTOS: Rapid Citians turn out for Election DayVoters in Rapid City turn out to cast their ballots in the 2024 General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.
A man votes on Nov. 5 at the Canyon Lake Activity Center in Rapid City. Rapid City voters head to the polls at West Park Apartments on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Voters line up outside Rapid City's Community Center West to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. A man turns in his ballot at West Park Apartments on General Election Day 2024. A poll worker assists voters at the Canyon Lake Activity Center on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. A woman gets her ballot at West Park Apartments on Tuesday, Nov. 5. A poll worker hands out ballots at the Canyon Lake Activity Center on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Voters cast their ballots at the Canyon Lake Activity Center on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. A man casts his ballots at the Canyon Lake Activity Center on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. A woman casts her ballot at the Canyon Lake Activity Center on General Election Day 2024. Voters line up to cast their ballots in Rapid City on Election Day 2024. Voters leave with election materials after casting their ballots on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Voters leave after casting their General Election ballots on Nov. 5, 2024. Voters leave Rapid City's Community Center West after casting their ballots on General Election Day 2024. Lines at several polling places — like here at Rapid City's Community Center West — were out-the-door on Election Day 2024. Poll workers hand out "I Voted" stickers to voters in Rapid City on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. A woman casts her ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 at West Park Apartments in Rapid City. Voters cast their ballots at West Park Apartments in Rapid City. A poll worker hands out ballots at West Park Apartments on General Election Day 2024. An Indigenous child is given a sample ballot to practice voting on at General Beadle Elementary School in Rapid City. An Indigenous woman casts her vote at General Beadle Elementary School in Rapid City. A woman casts her vote at the Parkview Church on the south side of Rapid City. Voters throughout Rapid City, including at Bethel Church, Rapid City Christian School and Rapid City Community Center South, headed to the pol... An Indigenous man fills in his ballot at General Beadle Elementary School in Rapid City on Nov. 5. An Indigenous woman fills in her ballot at General Beadle Elementary in Rapid City on Nov. 5. A Vote Here sign sits outside of He Sapa New Life Church in Rapid City. A woman submits her ballot on Nov. 5 at the He Sapa New Life Church in Rapid City. A Native Votes Matter! sign sits outside of the COUP Council in Rapid City where volunteers are providing free rides to the polls. A woman casts her ballot at He Sapa New Life in Rapid City on Nov. 5. A ballot sits ready to be filled out on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at Bethel Church in Rapid City. Residents cast their vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, inside Bethel Church in Rapid City. Pennington County voters head to the polls at Valley View Elementary School Gym on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Pennington County voters head to the polls at Valley View Elementary School Gym on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. A man votes while holding a child at Valley View Elementary School Gym on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Pennington County voters head to the polls at Valley View Elementary School Gym on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Pennington County voters head to the polls at Valley View Elementary School Gym on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Pennington and Meade County voters head to the polls at Box Elder City Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Pennington Co. and Meade Co. voters head to the polls at Box Elder City Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Pennington and Meade County voters head to the polls at Box Elder City Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Voters fill in their ballots at Parkview Church in Rapid City on Nov. 5. Voters fill in their ballots at General Beadle Elementary School in Rapid City on Nov. 5. Chuck Thibault poses with his 8-week old son, Gregory, after voting at Rapid City Community Center South on Tuesday, Nov. 5. "For the record, ... The American flag waves outside Rapid City Christian School on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The school was one of many polling cites throughout the area. Voters cast a ballot at Rapid City Christian School on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Election workers said about 1,000 people had voted by 11:30 a.m. Election workers were ready at Rapid City Christian School on Tuesday morning. Election workers help a woman as she gets ready to vote at Rapid City Christian School on Tuesday, Nov. 5. A blue sky with puffy clouds is the backdrop for an American flag waving outside Rapid City Christian School. Voters at Rapid City Christian School. A man and woman leave the Pennington County Administration building on Monday, Nov. 4 in Rapid City. Residents wait in line to vote while others cast their ballots at the Pennington County Administration building on Monday, Nov. 4 in Rapid City. Voting at Rapid City Community Center South.Contact Mike Brownlee at
Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Executive Editor
