2018 Sioux Falls mayoral election

2018 Sioux Falls mayoral election

←  2014 April 10, 2018 May 1, 2018 2022  →

Candidate Paul TenHaken Jolene Loetscher First round 10,925 34.11% 7,973 24.89% Runoff 20,869 62.70% 12,413 37.30%   Candidate Jim Entenman Greg Jamison First round 6,111 19.08% 4,543 14.18% Runoff Eliminated Eliminated

Mayor before election Mike Huether Nonpartisan Elected mayor Paul TenHaken Nonpartisan

The 2018 Sioux Falls mayoral election took place on May 1, 2018, following a primary election on April 10, 2018. Incumbent Mayor Mike Huether was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term. Businessman Paul TenHaken, the founder of a local digital marketing firm, placed first in the primary, winning 34 percent of the vote. Former television reporter Jolene Loetscher placed second with 25 percent, and both advanced to the general election. TenHaken defeated Loetscher by a wide margin, winning 63 percent of the vote.

Primary election

Candidates

• Paul TenHaken, businessman, founder of digital marketing firm ^[1]
• Jolene Loetscher, former television reporter, public policy advocate ^[2]
• Jim Entenman, former City Councilmember ^[3]
• Greg Jamison, State Representative, 2014 candidate for Mayor ^[4]
• Kenny N. Anderson, Jr., former City Councilmember ^[5]
• Mike Gunn, retired boat mechanic ^[6]

Results

2018 Sioux Falls mayoral primary election ^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Paul TenHaken	10,925	34.11%
	Nonpartisan	Jolene Loetscher	7,973	24.89%
	Nonpartisan	Jim Entenman	6,111	19.08%
	Nonpartisan	Greg Jamison	4,543	14.18%
	Nonpartisan	Kenny N. Anderson, Jr.	2,136	6.67%
	Nonpartisan	Mike Gunn	343	1.07%
Total votes			32,031	100.00%

General election

Results

2018 Sioux Falls mayoral runoff election ^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Paul TenHaken	20,869	62.70%
	Nonpartisan	Jolene Loetscher	12,413	37.30%
Total votes			33,282	100.00%

References

1. Sneve, Joe (August 30, 2017). "Click Rain founder Paul Ten Haken announces bid for Sioux Falls mayor". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 3A. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
2. Ferguson, Dana (September 7, 2017). "Loetscher announces bid to lead Sioux Falls". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 4A. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
3. Ellis, Jonathan (March 22, 2017). "Former city councilor hopes to defy history in mayoral bid". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 1A. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
4. Hult, John (September 26, 2017). "Jamison starts campaign with pledge". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 2A. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
5. Sneve, Joe (March 30, 2017). "Former S.F. city councilor sets sights on mayor's office". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 3C. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
6. Sneve, Joe (April 26, 2017). "Critic of S.F. City Hall gunning for mayor's job". Argus Leader . Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 2A. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
7. "4/10/2018 - Regular - Summary Report". Sioux Falls City Clerk. April 11, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
8. "5/1/2018 - Runoff - Summary Report". Sioux Falls City Clerk. May 2, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2025.