Blake Stevens
Blake Stevens The Democratic primary for this office on June 2, 2026, was canceled. com.
Campaign site
“In 2022, I returned to college to study political science, driven by my desire to fight for those who feel overlooked and left behind. I plan to attend law school to advocate for the working class, which I believe is the backbone of our economy.”
(Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey) “I stand for working families. I am committed to fighting for workers rights, higher wages and better worker conditions. Your right to a healthy and happy working life will be restored under my tenure as your elected representative. I will also work to bring down your overall cost of living by investing in public infrastructure, housing, and transit to take the burden of everyday life off of you.”
(Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey) “Empathy: I have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by working families because of my background and experiences. This empathy drives me to prioritize the needs of my constituents and advocate for policies that genuinely improve their lives.”
(Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)Roger DeGroot
Roger DeGroot Roger DeGroot's career experience includes working as an educator. DeGroot served as the superintendent of the Brookings School District. DeGroot was assigned to the following committees:
“You know why they're having opt-outs? Because we're not doing our job here. This is not about transparency, it's about control.”
(South Dakota Searchlight)Mellissa Heermann
Mellissa Heermann Mellissa Heermann earned a bachelor's degree in international business/trade/commerce from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and a master's degree in operations management and supervision from South Dakota State University in 2020.
Campaign site
“Bottom line, I genuinely care about people. I will use my previous experiences in leadership positions in the Manufacturing and Healthcare industries, local City Government and School Board, as well as non-profit board leadership to provide thoughtful leadership. I will remain thoughtful in how I problem solve issues, navigate toward solutions, and sincerely listen to the feedback and concerns of others.”
(Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey) “I stand ready to support South Dakota and District 7 on topics such as K-12 education, accessible housing, healthcare, economic growth, and workforce development, just to name a few.”
(Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)