Rep. Tim Walburg moving from Legislature to run for County Commission

In reviewing who was filing today, on the heels of Casey Crabtree withdrawing from the Congressional race, I noted that State Rep. Tim Walburg – also from District 8 – had filed paperwork today to run for the County Commission, and NOT the South Dakota Legislature in the 2026 election.

I reached out to Representative Walburg to ask about it, and he was kind enough to explain that it’s his intent to further his education, and he believed he would better serve the people of Lake County as well as his educational coursework by the lateral move.

According to Walburg:

I have decided to go back to school for more medical training.  While looking ahead with the possibilities from schooling, I hope to take advantage of the Rural Health Transformation Grant for Lake County, recently signed by Gov Rhoden.  To do this, I had to make a hard decision to leave the legislature, something I really like to do.    My schooling is little over a year long.  With this, I will have to take 2 semesters off to complete my education if I continue my position in the House of Representatives.

Since making that decision I was asked friends if I would consider a county commissioner spot?  With the support asked of me, I decided to put my knowledge from the legislature and previous county experience to work for Lake County Citizens.  I will continue to fulfill my legislative roles until the end of my term.  I hope to be assigned the EMS Summer Study again this year to continue address EMS shortages.  The last 2 years in Pierre has taught me many things, which can benefit Lake County. 

While the times in Pierre were challenging with pitfalls.  As colleagues, we did come together to accomplish some great things for the state.  We have 2 weeks left to finish some work  We need to finish the general budget and show an increase to the BIG 3.  We need to come together for property tax relief.  Our legislative colleagues want to show a WIN for something.  Now is the time to show a WIN by putting differences aside, working together as a team for the state and not a certain general area of South Dakota.  After 6 years of Property Tax Studies, its time.

Rep. Tim Walburg
District 8
Serving Lake, Miner, Kingsbury, and Brookings Counties

Thanks for Representative Walburg for giving of his time to travel to Pierre in the winter during some very challenging times for the State of South Dakota.