Kyle Schoenfish
Kyle Schoenfish was born in Scotland, South Dakota and earned a business degree from Dakota Wesleyan University in 2010. He has represented District 19 in the legislature since 2013 — first in the House, then in the Senate beginning in 2020. He chairs the Senate Education Committee, previously served as Senate Majority Whip (2021–2023), and won re-election in November 2024. He lives in Scotland, SD.
Why they’re
Sensible
Schoenfish has held leadership in the Senate longer than most of his peers, and his Education Committee chairmanship places him at the center of one of the most consequential debates in state government. His Freedom Index score of 25% reflects a pattern of voting with the majority caucus on spending and expanding government programs rather than a consistently limited-government line — a mixed record on fiscal restraint. He voted yes on SB113 (Parental Rights), SB82 (Defend the Guard), HB1161 (opposing Central Bank Digital Currency), and SB55 (prohibiting ranked-choice voting), but voted no on several spending limits and transparency measures. Sensible South Dakota rates him as a mainstream Republican with notable strengths on education and civil liberties but inconsistent on budget discipline.
Also running for
SD State Senate · District 19
Every other candidate filed for this seat, listed for transparency. Our Sensible slate reflects the full field — not just a single pick.