SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Newly elected Republican Herman Otten said he submitted a letter Friday morning to Gov. Kristi Noem that says he won’t take the House seat for District 6.
The notice is less than a week from the start of the 2025 session on Jan. 14.
Otten told KELOLAND News he won’t be taking his State House seat for personal and family reasons. Otten will remain a state senator until the new session starts.
“Family is far more important than the Legislature,” Otten said. Otten, from Tea, has been a lawmaker since 2012 when he was elected to the House. After his original house terms, he was elected to the Senate.
Otten will have served in the Senate from 2021 through the start of the 2025 session.
Otten said one of the highlights of his legislative work was legislation that changed how school district boundaries were designed in the state. He’s also proud of the work he did to improve mental health resources and access in the state.
When lawmakers have resigned or needed to be replaced Gov. Kristi Noem has selected the replacement.
Article 3:10 of the state constitution says “Filling legislative vacancies. The Governor shall make appointments to fill such vacancies as may occur in either house of the Legislature.”
On Jan. 16, Noem replaced Republican Rep. Jess Olson in District 34 with Rep. Becky Drury, who moved from District 32 to District 34. Olson cited health reasons for her resignation. In February, Noem replaced Drury with former legislator Kristin Cozet in District 32. In 2020, Noem replaced a departing lawmaker.
Noem has accepted nominations for candidate when lawmaker seats have needed to be filled.
“I will probably be throwing out some recommendations,” Otten said.
One of Otten’s upcoming roles in the House was to be the co-chair of the transportation committee.
Chris Reder, a Republican who was elected as the House representative in District 1, had announced in November on social media that he planned to on not taking his elected seat. Reder cited health and personal reasons as why he wouldn’t join the legislature.
Reder is likely to take his role as there has been no formal announcement of his resignation. He has been appointed at least three committee by House leadership. Reder is listed as a member of the military and veterans affairs committee, the transportation committee and the taxation committee.
