Coffee with the Candidates: Election Information

Election day for the Yankton City Commission & School Board will take place on Tuesday, April 8. Scroll down the page for voter information and candidate interviews!

IMPORTANT DATES & INFORMATION FOR VOTERS

MONDAY, MARCH 24: VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE

Click here to access a fillable voter registration form
Submit the application in person to the Yankton County Auditor's Office (321 W 3rd St, Yankton, SD 57078)
If you are in doubt about whether you are registered, check the Voter Information Portal at www.sdsos.gov or call the county auditor at 605-260-4400

MARCH 24 - APRIL 7: EARLY VOTING PERIOD

Vote at the Yankton City Hall Gym (416 Walnut St) from 8 AM - 5 PM on weekdays.

TUESDAY, APRIL 8: ELECTION DAY

Polls will be open from 7 AM to 7 PM
Click here to view a map of voting centers
Visit the City of Yankton's website and the South Dakota Secretary of State's Website for more information.

*The content on this webpage has been provided for informational purposes only and does not reflect the views and opinions of the Yankton Thrive organization.

YANKTON CITY COMMISSION CANDIDATES (3 spots to be filled )

Click here to watch the City Commission Candidate Forum that took place on Thursday, March 13

Interchange & Yankton Thrive hosted a City Commission Candidate Forum on Thursday, March 13. View the video replay on KYNTV's youtube channel below:

DISCLAIMER: This live stream was experiencing technical difficulties and the audio only works from timestamps 16:20 - 32:05 and 37:38 to the end .

Additionally, you can view some of the missing audio portions on the Yankton Thrive Facebook page. which began midway through the first question, following the opening statements.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding.

Brian Bertsch

Bio

Brian Bertsch, a Yankton native and experienced community leader, is running for City Commission to advocate for taxpayers, support infrastructure and emergency services, and protect Yankton’s quality of life. A graduate of Yankton High School and Mount Marty University, he has been married to his wife, Linda, for 47 years, and they have two adult sons. With over 40 years of experience in sales and marketing, Brian has served on key city boards and led community organizations, demonstrating his commitment to Yankton’s future. He is ready to bring his experience and leadership to the City Commission to ensure responsible growth and a strong community.

Interview

Tom Bixler

Bio

My name is Thomas James Bixler. I have lived in Yankton since 1990. Though I am afflicted with Cerebral Palsy and confined to a wheelchair, I have vast past and current public experience on the City of Yankton Park Advisory Board, the Yankton County Drainage Commission, the Mayor's ADA Advisory Committee, and as a past President of Yankton Kiwanis International, among others.

As a former three-time county, two time legislative, and three-time city candidate, I learn new things in each campaign I undertake, which I do because I want to be a leader of my community of my own free will and ability, rather than because someone else thinking I would be good at the job, and therefore I owe them favors for support. Also, I can work with any of my fellow commissioners for the betterment of Yankton.

Interview

Bill Conkling

Bio

I’m Bill Conkling, I’m 57 years old, and a lifelong resident of Yankton

I graduated from Yankton High and from the University of South Dakota with a BA in Education

Currently, I am the Deputy Zoning Administrator for Yankton County.

I taught in the Yankton School District for 10 years and owned and operated a small business for 20 years. I have also been a licensed Realtor for over 15 years.

My parents Bill and Sherry Conkling met at Charlie’s Pizza and lived here their entire lives.

They were long-time realtors who were highly respected in their profession.

I’m single with no children. However, my niece Johanna and nephew Hunter are like my own kids to me, and I would like to see Yankton progress to have more opportunities for young people like them to move back.

In my free time I love to hunt, fish, and garden. You can find me, just about every day, at the gym, either before or after work.

Interview

Ashley Dimmer

Bio

Ashley Dimmer has been living and working in yankton since 2002. She currently Works from home as a CRM Software Administrator.

She has her BA in Psychology, Spanish, and ADAS from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion and her MS in Organizational Performance from Bellevue University.

She is currently involved with the following organizations: Boys and Girls Club of the Northern Plaines (Vice President of Yankton Advisory Board), Avera Sacred Heart Toastmasters Club #6217 (President), Yankton Housing and Redevelopment Commission (Board Member) and Connecting Cultures, (Strategic Coordinator, Multicultural Trainer).

Ashley enjoys living in Yankton with her 2 teenagers and looks forward to leveraging her leadership and collaboration skills to provide value to the city of Yankton by serving on the City Commission.

Interview

Pat Grant

Bio

My name is Pat Grant, and T have lived here for 25 years. I am running for city commissioner, because I like helping others, and I am a good listener. I am all for supporting and improving Yankton.

My educational background consists of graduating from USD with a degree in counseling and Nettleton Career College with a degree in paralegal work. I have worked at St. Lukes adolescence unit and counseling at the Mike Durfee Prison at Springfield.

I am now a CASA advocate, and speak for the children in the foster care system. Also at this time, I am pursing the city to get codes for rental unit homes, we have a need for improved maintenance of a lot of rentals from the homeowners.

Interview

Camillia Higgins

Bio

Interview

Zachary Hoover

Bio

Interview

Samuel Hummel

Bio

Sam Hummel, returning Yankton native, is currently running for City Commissioner with hopes of bringing his enthusiasm and fresh set of eyes to the commission.

Being from Yankton originally, Sam is grateful to the community for all of their support and attributes much of his life experience and success to the greater Yankton community. Following graduating from Yankton High School, Sam went on to obtain a Masters in Business Administration from The University of South Dakota. Recently returning to Yankton - allowed Sam an opportunity to reconnect with the strengths of the Yankton community.

He is currently serving on the Yankton County Planning Commission. He is committed to continuing the efforts to market Yankton as an employment hub for the area while highlighting the recreation opportunities. Sam is glad to be back in Yankton with his wife, daughter and 3 dogs and looks forward to bringing a fresh set of eyes to the commission.

Interview

David Spencer

Bio

David Spencer Bio

Yankton resident for 31 years

Family-wife Brenda, three YHS Graduate children, Maggie Kalsulas, Erik, Adam

Education

University of Nebraska Graduate

Kansas State University Masters Graduate

Currently employed as Assistant Business Professor, Mount Marty University

Prior Positions

Sales & Marketing Director Farmers Pride Cooperative, Battle Creek, NE

National and Regional Sales Director Cenex Energy, St. Paul, MN

Shell Oil Company, West Orange, NJ and Hartford, CT

Current and Past Yankton Involvement

Yankton Park and Rec Advisory Board

Yankton Area Chamber of Commerce

Yankton Morning Optimist Club, Current President

Yankton Trinity Lutheran Church, Past Council President

Yankton Area Ice Association, Co-Founder and Past President

Thrivent Financial Regional Board Member

Yankton Baseball Association Board Member

SD Junior Football Board Member

Interview

YANKTON SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES (2 spots to be filled )

Click here to watch the School Board Candidate Forum that took place on Monday, March 17

Sarah Brandt

Bio

Sarah Brandt is a Yankton graduate, former Spanish and English Learner teacher in the Yankton School District, and will have a child starting kindergarten this coming school year. Her experiences in these roles, in addition to her work within the community, will allow her to represent a variety of perspectives on the board. “It would be an honor to serve the community and represent their voices.”

Interview

Sarah Carda

Bio

Interview

Justin Frick

Bio

Interview

Ellie Kajer

Bio

Interview

Brennan Novak

Bio

My name is Brennan Novak. I am married to Bailey and have three daughters. Two of my daughters attend Yankton Public School. Our third daughter is in the birth-to-three program with YSD. I am running because our children's education is a big priority and parents need to be involved. We value Yankton and its future. It is vitally important to provide what is best for our children's future and the teachers that help assure this is achieved.

Interview

*The content on this webpage has been provided for informational purposes only and does not reflect the views and opinions of the Yankton Thrive organization.

Coffee with the Candidates: Election Information

IMPORTANT DATES & INFORMATION FOR VOTERS

MONDAY, MARCH 24: VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE

MARCH 24 - APRIL 7: EARLY VOTING PERIOD

TUESDAY, APRIL 8: ELECTION DAY

YANKTON CITY COMMISSION CANDIDATES (3 spots to be filled )

Brian Bertsch

Tom Bixler

Bill Conkling

Ashley Dimmer

Pat Grant

Camillia Higgins

Zachary Hoover

Samuel Hummel

David Spencer

YANKTON SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES (2 spots to be filled )

Sarah Brandt

Sarah Carda

Justin Frick

Ellie Kajer

Brennan Novak

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