Special News Report: Ryan Kohl in District 4 LIVE-streamed Radio Interview
- Steve Jurrens
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Ryan Kohl, a local farmer and military veteran, recently joined news broadcaster Steve Jurrens on Northeast Radio SD to discuss his candidacy for South Dakota’s District 4 House seat. Running on the Republican ticket, Kohl is one of five candidates vying for two available seats in the upcoming June 2nd primary.
Kohl, who currently farms and runs a ranch with his father near Revillo, emphasized his deep roots in the community and his diverse professional background. After graduating from South Dakota State University with a degree in political science, Kohl served as an intelligence officer in the Air Force and later as a teacher at Grant-Deuel School before returning to full-time farming.
Tackling Economic Challenges
A portion of the interview focused on economic issues, specifically property taxes and the development of data centers within the state. While acknowledging recent legislative efforts toward property tax relief, Kohl expressed concern that current solutions may not be broad enough.
“I think I’m a little bit concerned it’s one of the, you know, ‘stealing from Peter to pay Paul’ type solutions. Property taxes are always on people’s minds... but this [current measure] does nothing for [renters].”
Regarding the proposed data centers in Deuel County, Kohl argued that South Dakota must remain competitive with neighboring states. He highlighted the potential for positive economic impact and the importance of keeping such infrastructure within the U.S.
“We have to realize that we’re competing against other states... giving a little bit of a tax break or an incentive to bring somebody in can be very beneficial because we’re competing against other states.”
Strengthening Agriculture and Infrastructure
Kohl advocated a “value-added” approach to the state’s resources, suggesting that South Dakota should focus on processing commodities and using the electricity generated within its borders to maximize tax revenue and economic growth.
“If I grow corn and sell it out of state, we’re not taking full advantage of that resource... another advantage of bringing [data centers] in is if we use more electricity in South Dakota, that’ll also drive a little bit of tax revenue for the state.”
Investing in the Future
The candidate identified youth retention as his primary motivation for seeking public office. Kohl stated that creating job variety and maintaining strong local schools and communities are critical to ensuring the next generation chooses to stay in South Dakota.
“One of the big things is we’re losing our kids. Young people don’t feel like they have good choices... keeping our community strong, keeping our schools strong, and giving variety is so critical for the future of District 4.”
Kohl also voiced his support for increasing teacher pay and funding for institutions like Lake Area Technical College, noting his disappointment in recent funding decisions.
The District 4 primary election will take place on June 2, 2026. Kohl encouraged all residents to ensure they are registered and to participate in early voting or mail-in balloting where available.
The Republican Candidates
Dylan Jordan (Incumbent): A current Representative for District 4.
Kent Roe (Incumbent): Also a current Representative for District 4 seeking re-election.
Fred Deutsch: A former state legislator and familiar name in South Dakota politics.
Gary Hudiburgh: A local candidate with a background in agriculture and business.
The Race at a Glance
Primary Date: June 2, 2026.
The Format: Since there are two seats available for the district, voters will be able to select their top two choices from this list of five.
The Stakes: The winners of this primary will move on to the general election in November.
General Election (November 3, 2026): The two winners from the Republican primary will then face Emelia Enquist on the November ballot.
