2016Final results
2016 election for South Dakota Legislative District 17
South Dakota State Senate · South Dakota
Arthur Rusch (R) won with 55.9% of the vote, defeating Shane Merrill (D) by 11.8 points.
Arthur RuschRepublican · winner · incumbent
55.9%5,023
Shane MerrillDemocrat
44.1%3,965
The same year, the district voted R+18.3 for president; this race was R+11.8.8,988 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Oct 1, 2026, 4:52 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 2016
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Oct 1, 2026, 4:52 AM ET