A joint, non-partisan commitment from South Dakota legislators and legislative candidates
We represent a group of current legislators seeking reelection and legislative candidates seeking a non-partisan approach to policy that addresses hyperscale data centers in South Dakota and the nine federally recognized tribal nations within the same boundaries. Current legislators have raised their constituents’ concerns and have taken action in Pierre, and new legislative candidates are expanding the message across South Dakota.
We’re committed to listening to our fellow South Dakotans, and they’ve sent a clear message: South Dakota doesn’t want hyperscale data centers. We intend to act on that message. Additionally, we hear our Indigenous neighbors’ concerns and aim to recognize the sovereignty granted through the Fort Laramie treaties of 1851 and 1868, as well as the water rights granted under the Winters Doctrine. Every legislative candidate signed below is committing to this series of promises:
Throughout this pledge, “hyperscale data center” refers to the very large computing facilities now being proposed across our state, the kind measured in megawatts of electricity and acres of land. These can have uses ranging from artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency mining to data storage and processing, and can use power and water resources equivalent to thousands of typical homes. While legislation requires specific definitions, this provides an overview of where our focus is.
What we’re pledging:
Day Zero Commitment: Before the first day of the 2027 legislative session, and continuing throughout the session, we will work with new and incumbent legislators to draft bills to protect everyday South Dakotans from the costs, unfair utility burdens, and environmental harms caused by hyperscale data centers.
Keep the money out: We soundly reject any financial interests that would promote development of hyperscale data centers in South Dakota. We affirm that we have not taken, and will never take, any political contributions from individuals or organizations putting hyperscale data centers over the interests and concerns of the people of South Dakota. Furthermore, we will not support any policies in favor of taxpayer money being used for hyperscale data center construction, particularly in the form of tax incentives.
Promote transparency: We will work as a team to clearly communicate when legislators in Pierre are taking action on hyperscale data centers. These communications may include press releases, social media and website updates, and other means of clearly explaining what’s being voted on during the legislative session.
Defend local control: We will oppose any effort to weaken or repeal local governments’and communities’ authority to regulate, pause, or ban hyperscale data center development in their own communities. This can include strengthening citizen efforts such as ballot measures at the local level. This is the authority South Dakota communities are already using.
Win or lose, we keep showing up: This work does not end on election night. Win or lose, each of us commits to staying involved in our own communities: attending county commission, city council, and planning and zoning meetings, helping our neighbors find out what is being proposed where they live, and encouraging local organizers to make hyperscale data center decisions in the open, with a clearly defined opportunity for residents to be heard. Whether or not we are sworn in, we will keep working for transparency and community involvement in every decision our communities face on these facilities.
Why now:
Thanks to the efforts of residents and many legislators this past session, efforts to write sales tax incentives for hyperscale data centers into state law were prevented. However, legislative efforts to regulate potential environmental, water, and electrical grid impacts raised as concerns by South Dakotans were not fully addressed.
As new hyperscale data centers seek to come to South Dakota, policy gaps remain and need to be addressed. We believe South Dakotans deserve leaders willing to listen to South Dakotans, maintain public advocacy and legislative transparency, and deliver solutions that protect our residents and our resources.
UPDATED 10/14/2026
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D-CAP Signers:
Amanda Potter, Candidate, HD-9 (Sioux Falls/Hartford)
Jeff Shelton, Candidate, SD-32 (Rapid in City)
Aaron Matson, Candidate, SD-11 (Sioux Falls)
Ali Rae Horsted, Candidate HD-13 (Sioux Falls)
Sonja Mentzer, Candidate HD-11 (Sioux Falls)
Erin Ronayne Rudner, Candidate HD-3 (Aberdeen)
Tim Rhead, Candidate HD-16 (Canton)
Erinn Williams, Candidate HD-14 (Sioux Falls)
Joe Zweifel, Candidate SD-12 (Sioux Falls)
Leslie Gerrish, Candidate HD-17 (Clay County and Union County)
Karen Springer, Candidate HD-18 (Yankton County and Wakonda)
Austin Brunick, Candidate HD-17 (Union and Clay County)
Austin Wolf, Candidate HD-6 (Lincoln County)
Emelia Enquist, Candidate HD-4 (Clark, rural Codington, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, and Roberts Counties)
Heidi Hora, Candidate HD-19 (Bon Homme, Hanson, Hutchinson, McCook, Turner Counties)
Morgan Plucker, Candidate HD-31 (Lawrence County)
Kathleen Brudvig, Candidate HD-10 (Sioux Falls)
Lewis GrassRope, Candidate HD-26B (Brule, Lyman, Hughes, Hyde, Jones, Buffalo Counties)
Stephanie Arne, Candidate HD-12 (Lincoln and Minnehaha Counties)
June CopperStad, Candidate HD-15 (Sioux Falls)
Courtney Enfield, Candidate HD-1 (Brown, Day, Marshall, and Roberts Counties)
Garrett Campbell, Candidate HD-6 (Lincoln County)
Adam Bair, Candidate HD-10 (Sioux Falls)
Jarod Holcomb, Candidate HD-18 (Yankton County and Wakonda)
Victor Dominquez, Candidate HD-34 (Rapid City)