Public Utilities Commissioner Kristie Fiegen participates in a hearing in Fort Pierre on July 25, 2023 on a permit application for the proposed Heartland Greenway carbon dioxide pipeline. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota searchlight)
Challenges from a faction of the state Republican Party largely spiraled out of control Saturday in Pierre as delegates to the state convention chose a candidate for the Public Utilities Commission and several party officials.
Kristie Fiegen, an incumbent member of the PUC, won the party’s nomination for the office and will seek re-election in November. Republicans chose Fiegen over challenger Amber Christenson.
Meanwhile, Gideon Oakes declared his intention to seek the Libertarian Party’s PUC nomination at that party’s June 29 convention in Pierre, and Democrats may nominate a candidate at their state convention next weekend in Oacoma.
A challenger for the position of Republican Party national committeeman, state Rep. Phil Jensen of Rapid City, withdrew from that race, and convention delegates elected Watertown mayor and former lawmaker Ried Holien, who also won the position at a previous convention. In the race for national committeewoman, delegates chose Heidi Engelhart of Aberdeen over Amber Hulse of Hot Springs. Hulse won the District 30 Republican nomination for Senate on Tuesday, defeating incumbent Julie Frye-Mueller.
Delegates nominated Gov. Kristi Noem, Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden and Attorney General Marty Jackley as the party’s three presidential electors.
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