A facebook post that impacts one of the more highly visible 2026 statewide political races seems to have quietly slipped by without notice. Fitness center owner Heather Baxter of Rapid City, currently a state representative of District 34, had announced back in September that she would be running for Secretary of State. But now, it looks like that it’s not the only office she’s running for.
Baxter, who had carried legislation for election conspiracy group SD Canvassing in 2025, and promises to continue to do so has been widely viewed as the special interest group’s choice in the next election after current Secretary of State Monae Johnson worked with the South Dakota legislature on election security reforms, and would not accede to the group’s demands on election equipment, many of which would run afoul of federal law. But in a facebook post from Baxter that is now just being noticed – it sounds like Baxter might not be quite “all in” on running for Secretary of State.
Because she’s announced that she’s also going to be running to retain her current legislative seat at the same time she’s running for statewide office:
If this is the case, why isn’t she also running to be Rapid City Mayor, fighting for a place on the school board and throwing in for a water or conservation district for good measure? Double-dipping on running for 2 offices has caused some controversy in past conventions, but this seems to be the most extreme example to date with this announcement coming 6 months before the convention race, and before legislative petitioning begins.
I suspect this is not the last we’re going to hear about this.
Well……last I checked, Heather’s own political party has had complete control of every lever of our state government for a couple of decades or so. Who should we blame for this double dipping situation — and all of the other mysterious quirks of our state government apparatus?
Freedumb!
Freedom for me but not for thee.
Rules are for you but not for me.
Typical Trump Party
Actually this isn’t against the rules. However, if she would be successful in securing the nomination for SOS and win the legislative primary, she would then have to choose one or the other for November.
12-6-3. Candidacy for more than one office in same election prohibited–Exceptions.
No person’s name may appear on the primary election ballot as a candidate for nomination to more than one public office in the same election….
…. If a candidate secures a nomination at a state party convention, the candidate shall withdraw as a candidate from one of the offices and submit the withdrawal to the secretary of state on or before the date on which the secretary of state receives the state party certification.
This is one of many reasons to move Constitutional offices to the primary ballot.
yes.
Exactly!
How is that any different than what I said? SDCL 12-6-3 states that a person can not appear on “primary election ballot as a candidate for nomination to more than one public office in the same election.” Her name would not be on the primary election ballot twice. It would only be on once for the legislative position. The nomination at convention is not a primary election ballot. SDCL 12-5-21 “Nomination of state candidates not nominated by primary…” “the delegates selected to participate in the state convention shall nominate candidates…” This is not considered a primary election ballot.
SDCL 12-6-3 goes on to state that “If a candidate secures a nomination at a state party convention, the candidate shall withdraw as a candidate from ONE of the offices…”
My hypothetical: Baxter wins the primary for the legislative seat. She then gets the nomination for SOS. She would then need to withdraw as a candidate from one of those offices.
Maybe I should have worded my original post better, but it is not incorrect.
This statement is what is wrong with “armchair political” comments. You didn’t check to see if the information that you were putting out there was even correct. You threw an incorrect statement out there to back your candidate and hoped no one checked it. LAZY!
The information I put out there is correct. She could win the primary for the legislative race, and then go on to secure the nomination for SOS. If that were to happen, she would then need to withdraw from one of the races. I did the research, maybe you should well? Also, in no way am I a supporter of Baxter.
Flake.
She is one of RC’s wingnuts! No surprise!
Qanoner
Look folks,
This is really easy.
If she wears black stilettos, she is running for State House.
If she wears Flip Flops, she’s running for Secretary of State.
It’s the latest fashion statement from South Dakota Canvassing.
At least we can hear them coming…..