EDITOR’S NOTE: Jason Fleming, Nicole Mitzel, and Emmet Reistroffer did not respond to The Guardian questionnaire.
The South Dakota primary election is Tuesday, June 2. Before registered voters head to the polls, The Guardian is providing a recap of each candidate running for South Dakota District 35 Senate and House of Representatives and each’s initiatives if elected to serve the state. The questionnaire included the following questions:
- Briefly tell me about yourself and how long you’ve been involved in state politics.
- What inspired you to run (or run again) for District 35, and what do you believe you can bring to the role?
- As the Rapid City and Box Elder areas continue to grow, what should be the top priority for local and state leaders?
- What is one specific issue affecting District 35 residents that you would like to help address if elected?
Each candidate’s answers are verbatim from the questionnaire responses.
Greg Blanc, Republican, Senate District 35
My name is Greg Blanc, and I am grateful to represent District 35 as our state senator, serving Box Elder, Rapid Valley, and North Rapid City. Many people know me as the pastor of Calvary Chapel Community Church, for the last 24 years. Others know me as the longest serving Rapid City Police Chaplain for over 2 decades, between 2003 and 2024. Prior to my election to the senate, I was the 4-5 GOP precinct committeeman.
I was elected, based on over 20 years of being actively involved in leadership of our great community, having built relationships with each of our mayors and many of the city council members, police chiefs, Sheriffs, and Ellsworth AFB Commanders.
The current city officials in Box Elder know that I proactively stood strong on the senate floor, to get SB130 passed, which compensates Box Elder $8,000,000 for infrastructure damage done to our roads, due to the construction at Ellsworth, in preparation for the arrival of the B-21 Raider.
I also stood with Box Elder in voting for HB1280, which will stop those attempting to fly drones over the area to gain intel on the base. This bill allows the Box Elder Police Department to use mitigation techniques and countermeasures to remove the threat.
District 35 has a long track record of being the most conservative district in the state, and deserves a true conservative senator who can be forward thinking, without compromising the foundational South Dakota values of Faith, Family, Freedom, and Fiscal Responsibility.
I am life-long Reagan Republican, and in 2023, I ran as a Christian – Conservative – Common Sense – Constitutionalist. My voting record for the last 2 sessions proves that I have kept my vow, and the voting scorecards can be reviewed on my website at GregBlancForSenate.com. By God’s grace, my skillset includes being a visionary, an encourager, a problem solver, a listener, an organizer, and an initiator, who values the power of teamwork.
I am running for re-election to the Senate because, in the not too distant past, integrity, honesty, character, civility, love for country and love for our fellow citizens was the norm, not the exception. I believe that we can get there again, with the right people in the right positions of influence.
As of 2026, there are several top priorities state and local legislators should be focused on 1) Continue to fight for lower property taxes and work together on realistic property tax reforms 2) Be honest about the trend of increasing crime in our region, and grow law enforcement to keep up with the current data 3) Get serious about bringing water from the Missouri River to the Rapid City region 4) We must have better coordination for strategic housing development and infrastructure, as our community continues to be one of the fastest growing regions in the Midwest.
Lowering our property taxes and developing more accurate property value assessment accountability will be critical in this next session, and I will continue to be the strong voice of the taxpayer, as I was in my first term.
Jace West, Republican, House District 35
I grew up in a broken home but chose to chart a new path for myself. I joined the Air Force in 2018, which brought my wife and me to Box Elder and Ellsworth AFB in 2019. We bought a home in District 35 in Rapid Valley and attended our local universities. I graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines last week with a degree in computer science and recently began my career as an AI engineer intern at Fenske Media Corporation. My story is one of the American Dream; I beat the odds by making my own luck.
I became involved in state politics immediately after finishing my active-duty service. In 2022, I was elected as a precinct 2-3 committeeman. In 2023, I revitalized the College Republicans chapter at SD Mines and served as president until my graduation. In 2025, I ran for State Treasurer on a reform ticket to address transparency issues, and in 2026, we elected a chairman from a west river university to lead the statewide organization. As a non-traditional student in my thirties, I bring a unique perspective, real-world experience, and the ability to politically mobilize and connect young people with civics.
I was inspired to run after serving during the pandemic and seeing how service members are often used as campaign talking points but forgotten in Pierre. While many candidates use military imagery, very few have firsthand experience working on the flight line. I served as an aircraft maintainer on the B-1, working on defensive communications and navigation systems.
I bring the perspective of a scientist and a problem solver. While Pierre has many lawyers and business owners, it lacks scientists. My analytical mind allows me to understand advanced technology and mathematics. I am a team player who knows how to get things done, but I am also not afraid to stand up against corruption.
A top priority for state and local leaders must be retaining our graduates. South Dakota has some of the highest rates of “brain drain” in the country. We must create economic opportunities for young people while protecting against cronyism. My campaign is primarily self-funded to ensure I am accountable to the people of District 35, not big-money donors or PACs. Local media have already noted that my campaign avoids empty platitudes.
With the growth driven by the B-21, District 35 is facing rising property taxes and infrastructure challenges. Property tax reform is a unifying issue across generations. Without it, young people will struggle to afford homes, and our elderly neighbors risk being taxed out of the homes they worked a lifetime to afford. Box Elder is the fastest-growing city in South Dakota, and we must turn these challenges into opportunities for our workforce and economy.
Ken Jeakins, Democrat, House District 35
Briefly tell me about yourself and how long you’ve been involved in state politics, if applicable.
I’m a dad of four and grandad to seven. Married for 30 years. Air Force retiree. Been in Box Elder for 20 years. Currently a blood drive supervisor for Vitalant.
This is my first time running for any office. I noticed that I never heard from the elected state officials from District 35. Generally, no mail, no notice of a town hall, no one knocking on my door. I realized then that they weren’t interested in anyone but Republicans and more specifically, Republicans with money. So, if I wanted a voice for everyone, regardless of party, someone else would have to run. I will bring everyone’s voice to Pierre, not just the corporate and wealthy voices.
As Box Elder, Ellsworth, and Rapid continue to grow, we have to make sure our basic infrastructure keeps pace, which includes repairing and replacing our current water and sewage system.
Dale Bartscher, Republican, House District 35
I grew up in a contractor’s home in Mitchell, along with my parents and nine brothers and sisters. My dad needed to feed and clothe 10 children and thus when I was old enough to carry a brick or a 2 x 4, I went to work. Because my parents taught me a work ethic I worked my way through middle school, high school and college on my dad’s construction crew. I’m proud to live in a state that still believes hard work, innovation and partnership can build a brighter tomorrow. Let’s keep it that way.
This year, on June 6th, I will have been happily married to my wife, Jan, for 50 years. I am the father of two adult daughters and the grandfather of two amazing grandchildren.
For 15 years I have served in Pierre, with what I hope you would call a ‘Flare of Excellence’, as a Lobbyist for two ‘Family Valued Organizations’ – The Family Heritage Alliance (2010 – 2017) and South Dakota Right to Life (2018 – 2026). Thus, there will be little ‘on the job training’ for me as I land in Pierre in January 2027. As a Republican I have also participated for the past ten-plus-years with the SD Republican Party as a Precinct Committeeman. This allowed me the opportunity of serving numerous years on the GOP’s State Convention’s Platform Committee.
At 13 years of age I was a member of the Jolly Jacks 4-H Club and was encouraged, at that time, to enter a Speech Contest which I did. I won at the County Level and went onto the State Competition where I won there as well. The topic of that Speech was simply: “South Dakota and I”. Yes, you could safely say that I’ve always been PROUD to be a South Dakotan!
I am currently at a place in my life where I am available to step into the role of Representative for District 35. My wife and I have resided in this District for 30+ years. We have raised our children here and have grown to absolutely love the area and our neighbors. Today, I am running as a Christian, Conservative, Republican and in that order. I recently accepted the position of part-time Associate Director with SD Right to Life so that I might devote quality and quantity time to serving the constituents of District 35 and the State of South Dakota. To this role I bring years of experience and leadership as I have worked in the fields of education, health care, small business, and the political arena.
First and foremost, we must support the role and mission of Ellsworth Air Force Base today and going forward. This means investing in its infrastructure, personnel, and its advancement.
As effective Legislators we must concern ourselves with effective Property Tax Relief, coupled with Affordable Housing and Water Rights.
