SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – A new individual will assume a leadership role at Sioux Falls City Hall in the coming year, with another candidate now entering the race.
Following the current Mayor Paul TenHakencompletes his eighth and final yearIn the office, a new leadership team will take over.
Only former mayoral candidate David Zokaites and State Lawmaker Jamie Smithhad joined the competition until Wednesday.
Another former lawmakerand former City Council member, Christine Erickson, declared her intentions at a unique gathering in Sioux Falls.
Erickson is a well-known name in the Sioux Falls region. While she might benefit from her connection to her brother, former NFL kicker Adam Vinatieri, it’s her involvement in public service that she hopes to be recognized for.
She is confident that her background as a small business owner and former public official will set her apart from other contenders.
“You won’t catch me chasing headlines. You won’t see me issuing a press release every time something is done correctly. I quietly went to work. I quietly accomplished tasks and I quietly served our community,” Erickson said.
From 2013 until 2022, Erickson focused on her roles in the state legislature and as a City Council member at large.
Since then, she became President of the South Dakota Trucking and Auto Dealers AssociationShe mentioned that the connections she has formed will assist her in working together and serving Sioux Falls more effectively.
“This isn’t about the government for the government. It’s about how we can serve the people? And that begins with being open, truthful, and transparent, truly having our hands up in every project or decision that is taken. I believe this is crucial, and it’s where I will take the lead,” Erickson stated.
The development of a new prison location in Sioux Falls is expected to be a major topic for the upcoming mayor of the city. Erickson expressed her views and outlined her strategy for handling this continuing situation if she is elected.
Nobody wants the prison near their home,” said Erickson. “Unfortunately, it’s an unavoidable necessity, and we understand it needs to be located somewhere. It has been here for a century. We are aware it will remain for another hundred years, but what we must focus on is ensuring we offer a secure location for the prisoners, a safe working environment for the staff, provide the necessary workforce there, and also ensure that when individuals are released, we are taking steps to prevent them from returning.
She mentioned that her main focus, if elected, would be to ensure Sioux Falls remains secure and to adopt a “forward-thinking” approach, which involves creating job and economic opportunities.
“I don’t want my children to feel they need to relocate four or five states away, believing they can find work right here in Sioux Falls, start a family if that’s their choice, and still enjoy the necessary conveniences,” Erickson stated.
Erickson thinks Sioux Falls is a secure place, but maintaining that safety requires taking initiative in tackling the city’s requirements.
I think the current administration is doing an excellent job in fighting crime and giving [law enforcement] the necessary tools,” said Erickson. “We aim to build upon this and continue moving forward. We are aware of the significant challenges ahead, including the new prison coming to South Dakota and the programs that will be introduced here. While the prison is under construction, we need to have a strong voice in policy discussions to ensure our community remains safe.
Individuals involved with property tax issues have expressed their opinions to the mayoral candidates. Erickson mentioned that she has received numerous concerns and has noticed a substantial increase in her own property taxes over the past few years.
“Individuals are expressing, ‘I need relief. I need assistance.’ People are experiencing difficulties. What I want you to understand is that, as a city council, we took steps and implemented changes to ensure that disabled seniors and low-income seniors received a refund for the city portion of their property taxes. We accomplished this as a city council. We were pioneering in this effort. I hope to ensure that we have a voice in the discussions. There are challenging decisions coming our way that we must address,” said Erickson.
The campaign aims to showcase Erickson as an individual who has consistently delivered “Results, not just rhetoric.” She shared a story recounted by Bob Deelstra, a member of the South Dakota Auto Dealers Association Board, before she was introduced at the event. Deelstra recounted a period when Erickson was a legislator, explaining how she met with auto dealers and focused on “reducing bureaucracy and red tape” to assist them.
“To most people, this would never be featured in the media, but it was incredibly valuable to their business. It came with a significant cost that could have affected their operations. That’s just one of many stories from my time that I’ve had the opportunity to cover,” Erickson remembered.
Stay tuned to Dakota News Now on air and online for additional coverage of the 2026 election.
