SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A Sioux Falls lawmaker has entered the race to be the next mayor of Sioux Falls. 

As we look toward the next Sioux Falls Mayoral race, there’s still some uncertainty of exactly when the next election will take place, but one thing we do know is that current South Dakota Senator Jamie Smith has thrown his hat in the ring.

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On Saturday morning at the Washington Pavillion, Smith officially launched his campaign. The 2022 South Dakota Democratic Party’s nominee for governor and current District 15 Senator is looking to replace Paul TenHaken, who has been serving as mayor since 2018. 

Smith looks to lead a city he’s all too familiar with.

“His knowledge of of the city comes from a life lived here. Like so many of us, it’s where he grew up, worked and raised his family. He knows what it’s like to get by, and he knows this city’s strengths and weaknesses,” Smith’s campaign chair Michael Haskett said.

“For me, it’s going to be making Sioux Falls a city where all people feel that they’re part of that story,” Smith said.

Smith has also spent time as a teacher and coach and is currently working in real estate. If elected, Smith hopes to make himself available to hear both praise and criticism.

“People want to be seen, and they want to be heard,” Smith said. “Across the entire state, but also across our city, being seen and heard is so important. Even if you don’t agree on the answers, sometimes as long as people know they were seen and heard, that goes a long, long way.”

And Smith says he wants to represent everybody in Sioux Falls.

“This is not a partisan position. I’ve tried to as a representative in Pierre and a senator also recognized that I don’t just represent one party when I’m there. I represent the people of my district. and as mayor, it’s even more so because it’s not a partisan position. You truly just represent the people of Sioux Falls in that role,” Smith said.

According to city records, Smith officially filed paperwork on Friday.

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In 2022, Smith lost to Republican Kristi Noem. He returned to public office in 2024 when he replaced term-limited Sen. Reynold Nesiba.

TenHaken’s term will end either in June 2026 or November 2026 as the city council continues to weigh when the next city election will be. 

David Zokaites has also filed paperwork to run for mayor again in 2026. 

To qualify for the ballot, a mayoral candidate must get no less than 200 signed petitions by registered voters in the city by the last Friday in February, according to the current city charter.