Vilhauer Announces Campaign Co‑Chairs as District 5 Primary Shapes Up

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Glen Vilhauer for South Dakota Senate campaign has announced that longtime community leaders LuAnn Strait and Don Roby will serve as Co‑Chairs for his 2026 re‑election effort. The announcement comes as the District 5 Republican primary is set to feature a competitive matchup between incumbent Senator Glen Vilhauer and State Representative Josephine Garcia, according to recent local filings.

“I am incredibly honored to have the support of LuAnn and Don,” Vilhauer said in a statement. “They are the definition of community pillars. LuAnn has spent her life ensuring our workforce has the tools to succeed, and Don has worked tirelessly to grow our local economy.”

Strait, a Castlewood native and USD alumna, recently retired after a 35‑year career at Lake Area Technical College, where she served as Director of Student Services, Marketing, and Public Relations. Her work helped support Lake Area Tech’s growth into one of the nation’s leading technical colleges, and she remains a respected voice in South Dakota’s education community.

Roby, a Watertown native and South Dakota School of Mines & Technology graduate, brings a background in technology, business, and public service. He has served two terms on the Watertown City Council, is a partner in R&R Investments, LLC, and serves on the South Dakota Community Foundation Board of Directors and the South Dakota Transportation Commission. His experience in economic development and long‑term planning has made him a familiar figure in regional policy discussions.

In a joint statement, Strait and Roby said: “Glen is an outstanding advocate for District 5. His ability to navigate complex issues in Pierre while staying rooted in Watertown’s needs makes him the right choice for District 5.”

District 5 Election Context

South Dakota’s 5th Legislative District includes the city of Watertown and is represented in the Senate by Glen Vilhauer, who assumed office in 2025.

For the upcoming June 2 Republican primary, filings show that Vilhauer will face State Representative Josephine Garcia, who currently serves in the South Dakota House representing District 5. Garcia, a Republican, was elected to the House in 2024 and began her term in January 2025.

South Dakota legislative seats carry two‑year terms, and elections are held every even‑numbered year.

More Information

Additional details about Senator Vilhauer’s campaign can be found at: https://www.glenforsdsenate.com/