SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Newly elected lawmaker Chris Reder of South Dakota House District 1 said in a social media post that unexpected health issues have caused him to think about his future as a lawmaker.
Reder, a Republican, was elected on Nov. 5. Reder posted the announcement on his Facebook page on Tuesday after a text he said was sent to a closed group got “inadvertently forwarded to many other people and then released.”
Reder’s text “might have gotten ahead of him,” Republican Rep. Carl Perry said on Wednesday. Perry was recently elected to the Senate from District 3 and has known Reder for several years.
“I know Chris Reder pretty well. He’s an outstanding young man,” Perry said. Everyone reaches a point at some time where they are not 100% of a decision, Perry said. Reder needs time to make the best decision, he said.
Reder said in his Tuesday Facebook post: “I have been having some unexpected health issues recently that I am trying to work through. That text this morning was intended for a close group chat text that inadvertently got forwarded to many other people and then released. I am still unsure of the future depending on how the health conditions work themselves out, so at this time I am just asking for some time and space to figure out what my health will allow and how I could serve District 1 the best.”
District 1 is in northeastern South Dakota.
Reder ousted incumbent Rep. Tamara St. John in the Republican primary in June. Reder was second in the primary with 34% of the vote while Logan Manhart received 38% of the vote. Reder and Manhart both won in the November general election.
Manhart said on Tuesday he hadn’t yet spoken to Reder.
“Hopefully, whatever he’s got going on can be resolved,” Manhart said on Thursday.
Manhart said Reder had worked hard to get elected and it would be unfortunate if he did resign.
Yet, “We want whatever is best for him,” Manhart said on Thursday. That includes if Reder needs to resign, he said.
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.
If Reder resigns, Manhart said on Tuesday it’s likely residents of District 1 will nominate candidates to replace Reder.
“I hope whoever is chosen will represent the people who decided the vote,” Manhart said on Tuesday of a possible need for an appointment. Reder’s replacement must represent the views of the District 1 and those who elected him, Manhart said.
When Olson resigned in 2023, Noem announced she’d be accepting nominations from Nov. 11 until Dec. 5, 2023.
Reder is from Warner. He operates the DTOM 22/0 Foundation and Veterans Ranch.
Reder received a full endorsement from the conservative Dakota First Action political action committee. The Dakota First Action described Reder as a “bold conservative,” who would “always put America and South Dakota FIRST.”
State law says that lawmakers are required to resign ” to the presiding officer of its branches respectively when in session, and when not in session to the Governor; and when made to the presiding officer he shall at once notify the Governor.”
KELOLAND News left a message with House Majority Leader Scott Odenbach. Phone messages were left on Tuesday and Thursday with two phones listed for Reder or his business. On Tuesday, a phone message was left and an email was sent John Wiik the chairman of the South Dakota Republican Party. An email has also been sent to Noem’s communications director Ian Fury.
