Tri-State Neighbor: South Dakota Farm Newspaper

As the June 3 primary quickly approaches, younger South Dakotans in some districts have the unique opportunity to vote for their peers.

This year there are several young leaders under 30 eager for the opportunity to serve in the South Dakota state Senate or House of Representatives.

“It happens every once in a while, but it's rare that you get this many young people jumping in and making a commitment like this,” said Rick Hauffe, executive director for the South Dakota Democratic Party.

Hauffe adds that today's young people have a greater interest in politics. His counterpart, Max Wetz, agrees. Wetz, executive director for the South Dakota Republican Party, says that the Millennial generation is exposed to politics at an earlier age than other generations.

“I think kids are more exposed to politics and the work of government sooner in their lives than they used to be,” Wetz said. “We live in a 24-hour news cycle with CNN, Fox and MSNBC - not to mention the blogosphere. We are exposed to politics and news constantly throughout our day. It's second nature for people growing up in this day and age to have politics a part of their everyday life.”

Jason Frerichs, 23, is a prime example. The cow/calf producer, farmer and the Watertown Area high school agriculture education instructor says growing up he and his family made a point to keep up with new policy and state and local politics.

In March, Frerichs announced that he was running for District 1 seat in the South Dakota House of Representatives. District 1 includes Roberts, Day and Marshall counties.

“My dad served 14 years in the Legislature. I was only 4 when he finished but like most leaders, you don't stop serving people when your term is up. We always stayed involved in issues. At the state fair every year we would always take the time to go to the candidate forums and listen and ask questions - we always take an interest,” Frerichs said.

He says that he knew that he wanted to take an active role in politics after an internship he had in 2002. At 16, this Wilmot, S.D., farm kid worked as a page in the U.S. Senate.

“Being able to witness Washington, D.C., and see government work at the federal level, I had a positive and eye-opening experience. I never saw anything bad,” said Frerichs, a 2007 agriculture education graduate of South Dakota State University. “We need to work to maintain the integrity of our government so we can be proud of a government that operates for the people.”

Travis Lape, 21, recounts a similar experience that influenced his decision to run for the District 19 seat in the House of Representatives. District 19 includes Douglas, Bon Homme and Turner counties. Lape recently served as the 2007-2008 University of Sioux Falls (USF) student association president.

“All through middle school and high school I was active in different civic duties, but the real interest came when I was serving for 35 days as a South Dakota House Democratic intern,” said Lape, who grew up in Marion, S.D., and is currently a political science and history major at USF. “I worked on bills and sat on the House Education Committee. I have a real passion for education, how do we properly pay our teachers and keep our small schools at a reasonable size.”

Even though they may be younger than the average legislator, who, according to Hauffe, is in their mid to late 50s, Hauffe says younger leaders have much to contribute to the districts they serve.

“They will try to solve the problems that generations like mine and others have created. They are in the generation that will fulfill a lot of hopes that we've had for a long time,” Hauffe said.

He says that because of their age, they will appeal to a large audience that is hard to reach.

“Old-fashioned politics have changed. TV ads on network TV don't have penetration anymore. This generation doesn't listen to the radio - they have iPods, they don't have land-lines - they have cell phones, they don't read mail - their world is online,” Hauffe said. “Conventional method of reaching this group of people no longer stands ... the best thing we can do as a Democratic Party is get this generation out there and run for office so they can show other people their age - they will be watching.”

Young or old, the bottom line when it comes to running for office, according to Nate Welch, 26, is to stand up and make decisions that will benefit others.

“I've always believed that the decisions are made by those who stand up. If I want the next generation of South Dakota to be as good as this one or better, then I need to stand up,” said Welch, who worked as a television reporter for two Sioux Falls, S.D., stations prior to his current position as director of promotions for the Sioux Falls Canaries.

Welch is running for the District 11 Senate seat. District 11 includes a portion of Minnehaha and Lincoln counties.

Energy and issues

His young age was an advantage says Ryan Brunner, 24, who was recently elected to serve as a Brookings, S.D., city councilman.

“It's important for young people to be involved in politics to invest in their future,” said Brunner, who served as the 2005-2006 SDSU Student Association president. “My age is a definite advantage when it comes to maximizing the potential of a stronger relationship between the city and SDSU. I have a lot of knowledge of the process and what goes on inside higher education.”

This is Brunner's second term on the Brookings City Council. He says that workforce development is a large focus for the community.

“Economic development is key to keeping young people in South Dakota for the future. And not just bringing jobs to the community, but the right jobs - jobs that make people want to stay here, live here and raise their families here,” said Brunner, who is pursuing a master's degree in agriculture economics at SDSU.

Wetz says that the energy and fresh perspective that young candidates bring to their state and local government is a benefit to everyone involved.

“Young elected officials bring a fresh perspective. They have a different outlook on life and are at the beginning of their careers. This brings a totally different approach than someone who has been around the block a time or two,” Wetz said. “It is always healthy to have different ideas. That is what government is really about - collecting ideas from every corner and sifting through the bad ones and holding onto the good ones.”

Mitch Fargen, 25, has a lot of ideas that revolve around renewable energy. Fargen is running for the District 8 seat in the South Dakota State House of Representatives.

Working as the membership director and lobbyist for the South Dakota Farmers Union, Fargen says renewable fuels and wind energy are issues important to his district. District 8 includes Moody, Lake, Miner and Sanborn counties.

“I have a rural district so renewable fuels, wind energy and ethanol are the main issues,” said Fargen, who grew up in Flandreau, S.D., and spent time interning for Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and Sen. Tim Johnson. “There is an ethanol company and wind turbine manufacturer in my district.”

Fargen and Frerichs are both SDSU graduates and got to know each other through the SDSU Collegiate Farmers Union Chapter that Frerichs worked to charter.

Fargen says they spend a lot of time talking about their campaigns and giving each other advice and support.

“We help each other with the little things like you should do this or change that - it makes us sharper,” Fargen said.

Throughout the campaign process, Frerichs says that he has enjoyed visiting with District 1 constituents.

“Campaigning is about establishing relationships and getting to know everyone and understanding our common goals,” Frerichs said. “Everyone has the common goals to invest in education for our young people and to market and use renewable fuels. “I have a youthful perspective and a fresh perspective on education coming right out of the university system and working as a teacher,” he said.