2014 Sioux Falls mayoral election

2014 Sioux Falls mayoral election

←  2010 April 8, 2014 2018  →

Candidate Mike Huether Greg Jamison Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Popular vote 17,612 13,939 Percentage 55.82% 44.18%

Mayor before election Mike Huether Nonpartisan Elected mayor Mike Huether Nonpartisan

The 2014 Sioux Falls mayoral election took place on April 8, 2014. Incumbent Mayor Mike Huether, first elected in 2010, ran for re-election to a second term. He was challenged by City Councilmember Greg Jamison. Huether defeated Jamison by a wide margin, though slightly reduced from his margin four years earlier, winning 56–44 percent.

Candidates

• Mike Huether, incumbent Mayor ^[1]
• Greg Jamison, City Councilmember ^[2]

Campaign

Huether announced that he would seek a second term as mayor, arguing that he had "a pattern for getting stuff done for the city." ^[1] Greg Jamison, a member of the City Council, announced that he would challenge Huether for re-election, and "sharply criticiz[ed] Huether in his announcement, saying, "If we don't change the culture at City Hall, the Sioux Falls I've grown [in] and the quality of life . . . is going to be ruined." ^[2] Throughout the campaign, Jamison attacked Huether for his leadership style and unwillingness to compromise with others. ^[3]

Though the race was formally nonpartisan, the county Republican Party sent a postcard attacking Huether, a Democrat, shortly before the election. The postcard compared Huether to then-President Barack Obama, said that he supported "higher taxes" and acted "like a dictator." Both Huether and Jamison, a Republican, condemned the postcard. ^[4]

The Argus Leader endorsed Huether for another term, praising him for "presid[ing] over one of the more productive, transformative times in Sioux Falls history." Though the Argus Leader criticized him for "[h]is forceful approach to governing" and his "investment in a local development project," it noted that he was "a hard worker, a dedicated public servant and a driving, focused leader." It praised Jamison as "an earnest public servant, well-intentioned and dedicated," but not "the best fit for the mayor's position" when matched against Huether. ^[5]

Ultimately, Huether defeated Jamison by a wide margin, winning 56 percent of the vote to Jamison's 43 percent.

Results

2014 Sioux Falls mayoral primary election ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Mike Huether (inc.)	17,612	56.66%
	Nonpartisan	Greg Jamison	13,939	44.18%
Total votes			31,551	100.00%

References

1. Walker, Jon (June 21, 2013). "Huether to seek 2nd term as mayor". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 2A. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
2. Montgomery, David (July 24, 2013). "Jamison: Change style of leadership". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 1A. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
3. Atyeo, J.L. (April 9, 2014). "Resounding win over challenge from councilor". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 3A. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
4. Montgomery, David (April 4, 2014). "Huether, Jamison rebuke postcard". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 1C. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
5. "Strong mayor deserves another term". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. April 6, 2014. p. 2C. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
6. "4/8/2014 - Regular - Summary Report". Sioux Falls City Clerk. April 15, 2014. Retrieved July 4, 2025.