RepublicanIncumbent
Ernie Otten
- Experience
- State legislature
South Dakota › South Dakota State Senate · November 3, 2026 · Updated Oct 16, 2026
South Dakota Legislative District 6
Ernie Otten has no major-party opponent.
Ernie Otten has no major-party opponent.
The candidates
The district
Lean R+31: how much more Democratic or Republican than the nation it votes for president.
Presidential vote
Precinct results re-aggregated to the current district lines.
Who lives here
- Population
- 27,627
- People per km²
- 103
- Adults with a B.A.+
- 45%
- White, no degree
- 49%of adults
- White 88%
- Hispanic 4%
- Black 2%
- Asian 1%
- Other / multiracial 4%
American Community Survey 2020–2024, aggregated from census tracts.
Past results
Results in the same-numbered district; earlier elections may have used different lines.
2024
8,961 votes · Uncontested by the other party✓ Ernie Otten (R)100.0%
2024 President Vote in this district
13,060 two-party votes · R+32.6 · R+31.1 vs. the nation✓ Donald Trump (R)66.3%
Kamala Harris (D)33.7%
2022
6,513 votes · Uncontested by the other party✓ Herman Otten (R)100.0%
2020 Earlier district lines
15,275 votes · R+33.5✓ Herman Otten (R)66.7%
Nancy Kirstein (D)33.3%
2020 President Vote in this district
9,938 two-party votes · R+28.9 · R+33.4 vs. the nation✓ Donald Trump (R)64.4%
Joe Biden (D)35.6%
2016 President Vote in this district
8,880 two-party votes · R+36.1 · R+38.3 vs. the nation✓ Donald Trump (R)68.0%
Hillary Clinton (D)32.0%