Minnehaha County, South Dakota

South Dakota Senate District 11

2 candidates are tracked for South Dakota Senate District 11 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Aaron Matson and Chris Karr. Candidate information follows official Minnehaha County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Aaron Matson (Democratic), Chris Karr (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for South Dakota Senate District 11. Chris Karr 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. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Chris Karr, is on the ballot.

South Dakota › Minnehaha County › South Dakota Senate District 11

Aaron Matson

Democratic

Top priorities

Lower the cost of living, including groceries, childcare and housing
Fully fund public education
Protect constitutional rights and reduce the influence of large campaign donors

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Aaron Matson is a Sioux Falls pastor running for South Dakota Senate District 11, per his campaign site. He is a fourth-generation South Dakotan whose parents were public school teachers, has served as an ordained pastor for 20 years, and holds a doctorate in political science, per his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Chris Karr

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities

Reduce taxes and increase government efficiency
Defend constitutional rights and use taxpayer funds responsibly

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Chris Karr is the incumbent state senator for South Dakota Senate District 11 and serves as Senate President Pro Tempore, per the South Dakota Legislature's official roster and his campaign site. He is a business owner and financial consultant who previously served four terms in the state House before his election to the Senate in 2024, per South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotSouth Dakota Senate District 12

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for South Dakota Senate District 11 in 2026?

When is the South Dakota Senate District 11 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 Minnehaha 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 Minnehaha County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Minnehaha County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

South Dakota Senate District 13 South Dakota Senate District 14 South Dakota Senate District 15 See all 22 Minnehaha County races

Candidate profiles

Aaron Matson, full profile Chris Karr, full profile Official South Dakota election office