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Mayor’s Race in South Dakota’s Largest City Rests on 2 Votes
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- The Sioux Falls mayoral race was extremely close, with Democrat Jamie Smith and Republican Christine Erickson separated by just two votes late into Election Day, prompting expectations of a recount.
- The election is officially nonpartisan but carries significant political weight, as Republicans aim to maintain control of South Dakota’s largest city while Democrats seek to gain influence after long being shut out at the state level.
- The tight race reflects broader national trends where Democrats have recently flipped mayoral offices in cities like Omaha, Miami, and Boca Raton, signaling potential momentum ahead of the midterm elections.
- The incumbent Republican mayor was term-limited, making this an open seat highly contested by both parties with substantial fundraising, endorsements, and debates shaping the final outcome.
