Former Pierre Mayor and retired South Dakota state government Cabinet Secretary Laurie Gill announced her Republican candidacy for District 24 South Dakota House of Representatives Monday (Feb. 16, 2026).
An active member of the community, Gill says she is ready to put her years of experience in state and local government to work for Haakon, Hughes, Hyde, Stanley and Sully counties.
“It will be an honor to serve District 24 in the State House,” said Gill. “I’m committed to serving our region with the same focus, grit and principles I brought to City Hall and to the administrations of Governors Daugaard and Noem. The people of District 24 can count on me to be a strong voice for our shared values and a brighter future for South Dakota.”
Laurie and her husband, Bob, moved to Pierre in 1991 with their four children. She served three terms as Mayor of Pierre (2008-2017) and nine years on the Pierre City Commission (1999-2008).
Gill served as the Secretary of the Department of Human Services (2011-2013), Commissioner of the Bureau of Human Resources (2013-2019), and the Secretary of the Department of Social Services (2019-2023). Prior to that, she held numerous other leadership positions within state government, a non-profit agency and as a clinic administrator in the private sector.
The seat is vacant with the recent announcement that Rep. Will Mortenson of Fort Pierre will not seek re-election in 2026.
“I am proud to call Will a friend and am grateful for his service to our region,” said Gill. “He has big shoes to fill, and I’ll follow in his footsteps standing up for conservative principles, focusing on education and the economy, and taking care of state employees.”
Find more information on Laurie Gill and her race at lauriegill24.com or on Facebook.
Comments