Stephanie Sauder
Stephanie Sauder is a Republican member of the South Dakota State Senate representing District 4, elected in November 2024 and serving since January 14, 2025. A Bryant-area farmer and retired educator, she spent over 30 years teaching in the Hamlin School District before becoming editor and publisher of the Bryant Dakotan Newspaper. She previously served eight years as mayor of Bryant and one term in the State House (2023–2025), where she served on the Education, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Veterans and Military Affairs committees. She holds a B.S. in Education from Dakota State University and an M.S. from Northern State University.
Why they’re
Sensible
Stephanie Sauder brings an extraordinary depth of public-service experience to the Senate — 30 years in the classroom, eight years as mayor, and now a Senate seat earned through genuine community trust. Her legislative record reflects the District 4 priorities she has championed for decades: rural education, agricultural health, school bus safety, and protecting voter registration privacy. She co-sponsored HB 1073 to give voters optional contact-information privacy and HB 1094 for school bus safety improvements, and served as Senate prime on HB 1138 to protect vulnerable elderly and disabled South Dakotans relying on home care. Her stated commitment to base every vote on "the majority of constituents' requests and needs" is exactly the kind of accountability Sensible South Dakota values.
Key positions
“I base my votes on the majority of constituents' requests and needs.”
“To me, serving in the legislature is about helping people and listening to them as they express their concerns.”
“Honesty, sincerity and the art of listening are profoundly essential to being a respected and effective legislator.”
“Serving District 4 has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and not for one day have I taken my role and responsibilities for granted nor forgotten who I represent.”
Also running for
SD State Senate · District 04
Every other candidate filed for this seat, listed for transparency. Our Sensible slate reflects the full field — not just a single pick.