99chambers

South Dakota State Senate seat · lines in effect since 2022

South Dakota Legislative District 18

A district of about 23,000 people, 31% of adults with a bachelor's degree. It votes R+33.2 relative to the nation for president.

Lauren Nelson (R) · since Nov 5, 2024Next election Nov 7, 2028The 2026 race →

Where it sits among all 32 seats

Every South Dakota State Senate seat by partisan lean, from most Democratic to most Republican. Lean is the seat's presidential vote on current lines, relative to the nation.

R+33.216th most
Democratic
Most DemocraticMost Republican17th seat · the majority lineDistrict 18

Source: 99chambers: 2024 and 2020 presidential results on current lines, relative to the nation (2024 weighted 3:1)Updated Oct 16, 2026, 5:19 AM ET

Every race on these lines

Results recomputed from precinct returns as if today's boundaries had always existed, so years compare like for like.

202220242026
South Dakota State SenateR+30.1R+14.4R+15.3

Outlined: the race for this seat itselfBlank: no race that year

Source: 99chambers results archive: precinct results allocated to current lines; 2026: South Dakota Secretary of StateUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 3:01 PM ET

Who lives here, compared

Grey bars show the spread of all 32 seats. Small marks are other seats in South Dakota. The black marker is District 18.

Adults with a bachelor's degree31% 55th pct · 15th of 32 in SD

Higher than 55% of seats.

White adults without a degree59% 65th pct · 12th of 32 in SD

Higher than 65% of seats.

Hispanic residents6% 77th pct · 8th of 32 in SD

Higher than 77% of seats.

Black residents2% 58th pct · 14th of 32 in SD

Higher than 58% of seats.

Asian residents0% 6th pct · 30th of 32 in SD

Lower than 94% of seats.

People per square mile39 52nd pct · 16th of 32 in SD

Denser than 52% of seats.

Source: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, allocated to current linesUpdated Oct 13, 2026, 5:06 AM ET

Seats most like this one

Nearest seats on demographics, density and lean.

District 8
30% college gradsR+36.2Held RDistrict 25
33% college gradsR+38.6Held RDistrict 1
26% college gradsR+22.3Held RDistrict 35
24% college gradsR+33.8Held R

Source: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, allocated to current lines; 99chambers: 2024 and 2020 presidential results on current lines, relative to the nation (2024 weighted 3:1)Updated Oct 16, 2026, 5:19 AM ET

Who has held it

These lines took effect in 2022.

  1. Lauren Nelson (R)
    2025– · Won 2024 by 14.4, 2026 by 15.3
  2. Jean M. Hunhoff (R)
    2023–2025 · Won 2022 by 30.1

Source: Past results: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)