Christine Erickson, a two-term city councilor and former District 11 representative, officially launched her campaign to become the next mayor of Sioux Falls, during a July 23 announcement held at Cherapa Place, addressing friends, family and supporters on practical leadership, public safety, collaboration and economic growth.
Preceding Erickson were her three teenage sons, Anthony, Braylon and Charlie, who approached the podium, each stating how their mom is their biggest fan and supporter and "the next mayor of Sioux Falls."
After making her official announcement, Erickson detailed her "why" for running for mayor.
"I'm running because, like many of you, I have experienced the incredible strength, growth and community spirit that is Sioux Falls," Erickson said.
Erickson also highlighted her track record of working across sectors.
“I’ve seen firsthand how government decisions impact real people,” Erickson said, citing her work with business owners, lawmakers and community leaders. "Let’s make Sioux Falls better together."
What is Erickson's platform?
To Erickson, Sioux Falls is at “a pivotal point" for how choices made today shape tomorrow.
A core part of her message was her belief in results over rhetoric.
“Good leadership means listening… working with all sides… and delivering results,” Erickson said.
She highlighted several accomplishments during her time as an at-large city councilor, including funding police overtime to enhance public safety, investing in workforce development at Southeast Technical College and helping move the USD Discovery District from concept to reality.
Erickson also pointed to her work supporting low-income and disabled residents through a property tax refund initiative.
“I built a reputation for being results-driven and collaborative,” Erickson said. “Working together, we’ve accomplished so much—but we’re not done yet.”
Since leaving the Sioux Falls City Council, Erickson has continued serving the state in leadership roles with the South Dakota Auto Dealers Association and the South Dakota Trucking Association. In these positions, she relayed how she’s worked with “industry leaders, small business owners, lawmakers and stakeholders” and learned “how government decisions impact real people.”
Erickson framed her campaign as one grounded in accountability and practicality.
“Strong leadership means asking, ‘Will it work? Will it make things better?’”
That, she said, is the kind of leadership she would bring to City Hall.
Erickson pledged to “lead with common sense,” “ask tough questions” and ensure that “our government serves you and not itself.” She also promised to “partner with anyone who wants to move our city forward, regardless of party or perspective.”
Erickson also described the values she believes define South Dakotans: “practicality and perseverance.” She called on the community to “build a city that says yes to opportunity, innovation and possibility.”
Answering the tough questions
Following her mayoral campaign launch, Erickson told reporters her top priority is community safety, especially with a new state prison planned nearby.
Erickson emphasized that her campaign focuses on community safety and ensuring that Sioux Falls continues to be proactive as it grows.
“Our current administration is doing a fantastic job at combating crime,” Erickson said, noting she wants to “expand on that."
With a new state prison on the horizon, she stressed the need for Sioux Falls to have “a seat at the table from a policy standpoint to making sure that our community is safe.”
Asked whether she supports the prison being located in the city, Erickson responded frankly.
“Nobody wants the prison in their backyard… but what we have to do is make sure that we give a safe place for the prisoners [and] a safe work environment for those employees,” while also preparing inmates for reintegration since “95% or more are getting out," Erickson said.
On defining a “forward-thinking” city, Erickson explained that it means ensuring there are job opportunities, quality education and a strong local economy. She doesn’t want her kids to feel like they must “move four or five states away,” and she praised Sioux Falls for offering amenities year-round despite the climate.
In response to concerns that talking about safety may raise fear, Erickson said, “Statistics show that we actually do very well... but the perception is 40 cars got stolen on a Friday morning.”
She also emphasized the need for responsible messaging and continued support for law enforcement through training and resources.
Erickson stressed collaboration with state lawmakers, citing her past work on the council and in state policy.
“I can talk to anyone, I can work with anyone," Erickson said.
To reach underserved communities, Erickson mentioned upcoming community engagement sessions, saying her campaign will work closely with leaders in areas such as homelessness, development and banking. She wants to take a “holistic look” at programs to assess their effectiveness and sustainability, especially as nonprofits face funding cuts.
Erickson also highlighted her commitment to transparency, recalling her efforts on the city council to make government more open, such as revising agendas to show who sponsored items.
“This isn’t the government for the government,” she said. “This is, 'How can we work for people?'"
Asked what sets her apart from other candidates, she said, “I quietly went to work. I quietly got things done… I have results behind my name.”
She referenced past wins, like helping businesses avoid costly impacts, to show her pragmatic, relationship-driven leadership style.
On city development projects like the Riverline District, Erickson said she’s still reviewing plans but is weighing the “need for convention space” against concerns like “property tax relief.” She believes investments can be beneficial if they bring in outside revenue.
Speaking directly to the issue of property taxes, Erickson said, “People are feeling the pinch,” and emphasized the importance of local control.
“I firmly believe in local control… we have to make adjustments in our budget," she said.
While she didn’t definitively oppose the legislature’s 3% cap, she stressed that “tough decisions” and collaboration with the state are now required.
When it comes to affordable housing, Erickson said the “American dream is changing,” and the city must provide options for various lifestyles, from workforce housing to support for formerly incarcerated individuals.
“We want to make sure that we’re not just turning them back into the same situation,” she said.
Asked about her stance on housing-first models, Erickson said she supported it, referencing her vote to expand the old rec center into housing during her time on the city council. Though controversial at the time, she said, “It fits, it serves a need and has done very well.”
Who is Christine Erickson?
Originally from Rapid City, Erickson moved to Sioux Falls to earn her bachelor's degree in business management and participate as a student athlete at the University of Sioux Falls.
A Republican, Erickson first entered politics in 2012, when she won the District 11 state house seat, though she didn't complete her term, instead running for an open seat on the council and resigning in 2014 after winning.
Erickson then served for two terms on the council before stepping down due to term limits in 2022. She has served as the executive director of the South Dakota Automobile Dealers Association and South Dakota Trucking Association since 2021.
She also prominently chaired a ballot question committee opposing a vote to ban the construction and operation of new slaughterhouses in Sioux Falls, saying attempts to push back on a proposal by Wholestone Farms to build a pork processing plant in the city set a "damning" anti-business precedent.
Erickson's competition for the seat currently includes perennial candidate David Zokaites and state legislator Jamie Smith.
Should she win, Erickson would not only be the first female mayor of Sioux Falls, but the first former councilor to successfully become mayor since Sioux Falls adopted the strong-mayor form of government in 1994.
"I've seen us face challenges head-on and come out stronger together," Erickson said, "but I believe we are just getting started."
Originally published by Vanessa Bender at Argus Leader on July 24, 2025. Republished with permission.