The Ballot Brief
Day County, South Dakota

South Dakota House District 1

3 candidates are tracked for South Dakota House District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Courtney Gale Enfield, Daniel Kjos and Nick Fosness. Candidate information follows official Day County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Courtney Gale Enfield (Democratic), Daniel Kjos (Republican), Nick Fosness (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for South Dakota House District 1. Voters choose two. Nick Fosness is the sitting member, per the Legislature's 2026 session roster. Party nominees were chosen at the June 2, 2026 primary, per the South Dakota Secretary of State's 2026 general-election candidate list.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Voters choose 2; the top 2 finishers win seats. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Nick Fosness, is on the ballot.

South Dakota › Day County › South Dakota House District 1

Courtney Gale Enfield

Democratic

Top priorities

  • Expanding health care access, including Medicaid protections and long term care services
  • Supporting veterans services
  • Addressing water quality and infrastructure in the district

Per the South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

Biography

Courtney Gale Enfield is a Navy veteran who served aboard the USS Nimitz from 2011 to 2015, per South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Enfield works as an educator at Enemy Swim Day School and has also worked as a journalist and published author, per South Dakota Public Broadcasting. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.

Daniel Kjos

Republican

Top priorities

  • Cutting red tape and supporting rural entrepreneurs
  • Strengthening rural health care infrastructure so families do not have to travel far for basic care
  • Advocating for rural roads, bridges and infrastructure that support farmers and ranchers

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Daniel Kjos is a small business owner who has run a business with a spouse for more than twenty five years, per the campaign site. A 1983 graduate of Roslyn High School who was raised in Day County, Kjos also serves as a Day County commissioner, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Nick Fosness

RepublicanIncumbent

Top priorities

  • Strengthening local health care systems so families can access quality care close to home
  • Supporting students and teachers in local school districts

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Nick Fosness currently serves in the South Dakota House of Representatives for District 1, per the South Dakota Legislature member directory. Fosness has spent more than twenty six years in rural health care administration and human resources and served nine years on the Britton Hecla School Board, including as chair, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
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Questions about this race

Who is running for South Dakota House District 1 in 2026?

3 candidates are tracked for South Dakota House District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Courtney Gale Enfield, Daniel Kjos and Nick Fosness. Candidate information follows official Day County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the South Dakota House District 1 election in South Dakota?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for South Dakota are on the South Dakota election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Day County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Day County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official South Dakota election office, or see the full Day County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Day County ballot

2 tracked races in Day County, South Dakota. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

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Candidate profiles
Courtney Gale Enfield, full profileDaniel Kjos, full profileNick Fosness, full profileOfficial South Dakota election office