Turnover on the Horizon: Codington County Commission Race Set as Two Incumbents Exit

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Codington County Board of Commissioners is headed for a significant transition this year. Following the March 31 filing deadline, it has been confirmed that two veteran incumbents will not return to their seats in 2027, clearing the way for new leadership amid a near-half-turnover of the five-member board.

The shift comes as Lee Gabel (District 1) announced he would not seek re-election, and Myron Johnson (District 3) officially withdrew his candidacy after initially filing.

District 1: Chris Hupke Steps Up as Gabel Departs

In District 1, Chris Hupke has officially filed to run for the seat currently held by Lee Gabel. Gabel, who has served the county for over a decade, recently announced he would leave the commission at the end of the year.

Hupke, a local figure, enters the race as a fresh face for District 1. With Gabel’s departure, Hupke’s campaign marks the first guaranteed change on the board. Gabel has been instrumental in the county’s long-term planning and fiscal oversight.

District 3: Nathan Graf Emerges Following Johnson Withdrawal

The race for District 3 saw a late-stage change-up. Longtime incumbent Myron Johnson, who had initially formalized a bid for another four-year term in February, has officially withdrawn from the race.

Stepping into the vacancy is Nathan Graf, a Republican who filed his nominating petitions on March 27. Johnson’s withdrawal and Graf’s entry ensure that District 3, like District 1, will see a new representative. Johnson has been a staple of the commission, particularly noted for his work on regional retirement and justice working groups.

District 5: Randall Schweer Seeks Re-election

While change is coming to Districts 1 and 3, Randall Schweer is looking to maintain continuity in District 5. Schweer has officially filed for a second term, where he currently serves as a voice for the county’s southern and eastern rural interests.

2026 Codington County Commission Candidate Summary

District	Current Incumbent	Status	Declared Candidates
District 1	Lee Gabel	Not Running	Chris Hupke (REP)
District 3	Myron Johnson	Withdrawn	Nathan Graf (REP)
District 5	Randall Schweer	Running	Randall Schweer (REP)

Key Election Dates

With the primary field now locked in, the focus shifts to the voters:

·         April 17, 2026: Absentee voting begins for the Primary Election.

·         June 2, 2026: Primary Election Day.

·         November 3, 2026: General Election Day.