2 candidates are tracked for South Dakota Senate District 12 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Joe Zweifel and Kari Shanard-Koenders. Candidate information follows official Minnehaha County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Joe Zweifel (Democratic), Kari Shanard-Koenders (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for South Dakota Senate District 12. The Legislature's 2026 session roster shows no sitting member among these candidates. Party nominees were chosen at the June 2, 2026 primary, per the South Dakota Secretary of State's 2026 general-election candidate list.
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.
South Dakota › Minnehaha County › South Dakota Senate District 12
Democratic
Per the campaign site.
Joe Zweifel is a fourth-generation farmer from Alcester running for South Dakota Senate District 12, per his campaign site. He owns a photography business and currently serves as deputy executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party, per his campaign site.
Republican
Per the South Dakota Public Broadcasting.
Kari Shanard-Koenders is a retired pharmacist from Sioux Falls running for South Dakota Senate District 12, per South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Her father served in the South Dakota Legislature for nearly two decades, per South Dakota Public Broadcasting.
Who is running for South Dakota Senate District 12 in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for South Dakota Senate District 12 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Joe Zweifel and Kari Shanard-Koenders. Candidate information follows official Minnehaha County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the South Dakota Senate District 12 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.
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.
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