Dell Rapids voters will choose three people to represent District 25 in Pierre in November.

Valley Springs, previously in District 10, is now in District 25, which also includes Garretson, Dell Rapids and Baltic. The city of Brandon continues to be in District 10.

One hundred five seats in the state Legislature are open this fall for two-year terms, and voters will choose their new legislators on Nov. 6.

In District 25, Tim Rave (R-Baltic) is running to keep his Senate seat. Dan Ahlers (D-Dell Rapids) is opposing Rave.

Jon Hansen (R-Dell Rapids) is running to keep his District 25 House seat. Scott Ecklund (R-Brandon), Janelle Smedsrud (D-Sioux Falls) and Bill Laird (D-Sioux Falls) also hope to be elected to the two District 25 House seats.

**DAN AHLERS**
District: District 25 Senate

Party: Democrat

City of residence: Dell Rapids

Family: Wife, Amy; sons Jackson, 5, and Aaron 1.5

Occupation: Small business owner

State legislative experience: 2007-08 S.D. House of Representatives, 2009-10 S.D. State Senate

What made you decide to run for office?

Many people have approached me over the last year encouraging me to run. I believe in the importance of public service. We have a lot of important issues, such as education funding, that require people to be willing to address these tough challenges.

What are your thoughts on HB1234, concerning teacher merit pay and school funding?

HB1234 is a one-size-fits-all approach to education. I have owned businesses in several small communities. While the communities were very similar in size and geography, the customer needs were very different. Similarly, each school has its own set of needs. One school may need a science teacher, while another is short on elementary school teachers. Finally, this bill is a demonstration of poor leadership. When one wants to make a fundamental change to an institution, like HB1234 does to education, the people affected should be involved in the process. This didn’t happen until after the bill was introduced.

What are your ideas to bring economic development to small towns such as Baltic and Valley Springs?

As a small business owner, I understand how difficult it is to start a business in a small community. Instead of creating a financial incentive for only large projects, South Dakota could focus more small business development. Our state has MICRO and REDI loan programs available for business expansion and gaining working capital, but the state offers very little for small business creation.

What do you think are other tough issues facing your district?

We need to address our infrastructure needs. Our district has bridges and roads in need of repair or replacement. We also face challenges with our increasing Medicaid needs. Aside from national healthcare reform, we have an aging population we will have to serve. Our reimbursement rates to physicians need to be addressed. The reimbursement rates are so low, physicians are refusing new clients.

Anything else you would like voters to know?

I think the people in our district deserve better representation. We need people willing to address the difficult challenges we face as a state. Our citizens deserve open and honest government. Recently, the Center for Public Integrity rated South Dakota as second worst in the nation for state integrity. We need more accountability for our public officials. Finally, if the people choose to send me to Pierre, our district will have someone who is willing to work to find solutions to our most difficult challenges and won’t put his party before the people of his district.

**JON HANSEN**

District: District 25 House

Party: Republican

City of residence: Dell Rapids

Family: Wife, Sheila, and son, William

Occupation: Musician

State legislative experience: Two years in the State House of Representatives. Two years on the House Judiciary and Transportation Committees

What made you decide to run for office?

I decided to run and am running again for public office because of my deeply held convictions. I believe that government should be small and efficient. I think taxes should be low so that individuals, not the government, can decide how to best spend their own money. I believe government should uphold the dignity and defend all human life from conception to natural death. These ideals should be espoused and well-represented in our government.

What are your thoughts on HB1234, concerning teacher merit pay and school funding?

I think if a teacher is performing exceptionally, that they should be able to be financially rewarded for their superior performance. Great work should be able to be financially rewarded. Greater financial reward for our best teachers will ultimately lead to higher retainment of those great teachers, which, in turn, leads to better results for our children.

I am in favor of fully funding K-12 education through our longstanding and Supreme Court-approved funding formula.

What are your ideas to bring economic development to small towns such as Baltic and Valley Springs?

To attract economic development, we must remain a low tax state. I will oppose adding new taxes or raising existing taxes on our South Dakota small businesses. I favor reducing burdensome regulation on new companies, which can bog down entrepreneurs with paperwork and bureaucracy rather than freeing them to create jobs and economic growth.

I also think we must encourage young students within their education, instilling within them the entrepreneurial spirit that has characterized our state and nation since its founding.

What do you think are other top issues facing your district?

We must ensure our roads and bridges are properly maintained and safe for travel. As a member of the House Transportation Committee, I’ll look for ways to ensure our infrastructure is adequately funded.

Many people in my district also are concerned about the high number of abortions that take place in South Dakota every year. I will continue to work to reduce the number of abortions in our state.

Anything else you would like voters to know?

I take a principled stand on issues, but I am not hyper-partisan. I’ve supported Republican, Democrat and independent sponsored legislation alike. What matters to me is not the party affiliation behind legislation. Instead, if that legislation makes the lives of South Dakotans better, I will support it.

Although we have our imperfections, I believe South Dakota has become a great example for the rest of the nation to follow, and, if re-elected, I look forward to continuing this South Dakota tradition. In our state, we live within our means and balance our budget. We take personal responsibility for our actions but still are willing to lend a helping hand to those who truly need it. We know and appreciate the value of a hard day’s work.