Mayor Talks To Fairgoers, Discusses Re-Election

A two-hour question and answer session at the Sioux Empire Fair prompted Mayor Mike Huether to announce that he plans to run for re-election.

The mayor was at the fairgrounds Friday to ask the public for input on the city and he also ended up telling KELOLAND News he's gearing up for another race.

“What do we need to do better from a young person's perspective?” Huether asked Sioux Falls resident Drew Price.

"Honestly a little more entertainment," Price responded.

Huether stood in the middle of the fairgrounds and pulled people aside to ask them their thoughts on the city.

With the recent announcement that the new events center will be named the Denny Sanford Premier Center, Price wanted to know if the Sanford name is soon going to take over town.

"My perspective is that Mr. Sanford, Premier Bankcard, First Premier Bank, Sanford Health they could have taken their $20 million and they could have invested it anywhere else, but they decided to invest it in Sioux Falls and I think we're blessed by it," Huether responded.

Others told the mayor they're glad the Sioux Falls companies stepped up to help pay for the center.

"It's great for the community, he [Sanford] has given so much back," Ken McCuen of Brandon said.

KELOLAND News asked Huether why he took the time to see what is on the minds of people on the midway.

"These people drive me. If I run for mayor again I'll only do it for the thrill I get of waking up and the people say alright mayor what are you going to tackle next," Huether said.

After that answer KELOLAND News asked Mayor Huether if he does plan to run for re-election.

"Yeah, I'm going to run again, God willing I will,” Huether said. “That's probably not going to make everybody happy in this city but I still want to prove to them that I'm worthy. I don't want to let anybody down.”

And that's why Friday he tried to get the pulse of the city from as many people as possible.