The Ballot Brief
Lawrence County, South Dakota

South Dakota House District 31

3 candidates are tracked for South Dakota House District 31 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Morgan Plucker, Scott Odenbach and Mary J. Fitzgerald. Candidate information follows official Lawrence County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Morgan Plucker (Democratic), Scott Odenbach (Republican), Mary J. Fitzgerald (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for South Dakota House District 31. Voters choose two. Scott Odenbach and Mary J. Fitzgerald are sitting members, 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. Sitting officeholders on the ballot: Scott Odenbach, Mary J. Fitzgerald.

South Dakota › Lawrence County › South Dakota House District 31

Morgan Plucker

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Says affordability is the top concern and that residents should not have to choose between paying utilities and buying food, including support for livable wages.
  • Wants to work with outside experts to reduce Lawrence County property tax bills while maintaining funding for essential services.

Per the South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

Biography

Morgan Plucker grew up in Canton, South Dakota, and graduated from Black Hills State University in 2024 with a bachelor of science in political science and American Indian studies, per Plucker's campaign site. Plucker is now pursuing a master's degree in indigenous peoples law at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, expected in fall 2026, per the campaign site. Plucker says District 31 residents face high property tax bills relative to median income and wants to consult conservation and economics experts on relief options, per South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

Scott Odenbach

Republican Incumbent

Biography

Scott Odenbach is an attorney who currently serves as House Majority Leader, per South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Odenbach is a fifth generation South Dakotan from Eureka who has lived in Lawrence County since 2006 and earned degrees from South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota, per Odenbach's campaign site. Odenbach has practiced law in both Florida and South Dakota and raised a family in Spearfish, per the campaign site.

Mary J. Fitzgerald

Republican Incumbent

Biography

Fitzgerald first won the District 31 seat in 2021, per Fitzgerald's campaign site. Fitzgerald is a sixth generation South Dakotan who grew up on a farm, holds an accounting degree, and previously managed budgets, payroll and taxes in the corporate sector, per the campaign site. Fitzgerald serves as vice chair of the South Dakota Republican Party and sits on the Judiciary and Local Government committees, per the campaign site.

Next on your ballotLawrence County County Auditor

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Questions about this race

Who is running for South Dakota House District 31 in 2026?

3 candidates are tracked for South Dakota House District 31 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Morgan Plucker, Scott Odenbach and Mary J. Fitzgerald. Candidate information follows official Lawrence County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the South Dakota House District 31 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 Lawrence 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 Lawrence County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Lawrence County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Lawrence County Commissioner (At Large)Lawrence County Register of DeedsLawrence County SheriffSee all 6 Lawrence County races
Candidate profiles
Morgan Plucker, full profileScott Odenbach, full profileMary J. Fitzgerald, full profileOfficial South Dakota election office