The South Dakota Democratic Party has announced Sheryl Johnson as its candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Johnson will face off with incumbent and Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson for the seat in this year’s election.
Johnson is the Democratic Chair of District 11 in western Sioux Falls. She's also a retired businesswoman and a former Sioux Falls School District employee.
The Democratic candidate and mother of four explained in a press conference Wednesday why she’s running.
“Our Congress has been broken now for years," Johnson said. "Right now, they are the least productive and effective Congress in history. We need a working mom in D.C. who knows how to get things done and work together on what’s best for our country and South Dakota.”
Johnson hasn’t always been a Democrat.
“I was raised and remained a Republican for many years before becoming a Democrat — as the Republican party shifted away from the core ideals of freedom, inclusion, personal responsibility, and fiscal responsibility," Johnson said.
In a speech announcing her candidacy, Johnson criticized the Republican Party and Rep. Johnson for their decisions and inaction on several issues – including immigration, reproductive and LGBTQ-plus rights, and book censorship.