HURON – Beadle County Democratic activists joined other South Dakota Democrats in welcoming Sen. Billie Sutton into the governor’s race.
Sutton is a financial consultant and rancher from Burke who just completed his fourth term in the state Senate and is term limited.
“I am absolutely elated and thrilled that Billie is going to throw his hat into the ring,” said former District 22 Rep. Peggy Gibson, D-Huron.
“It’s very much time to break up this 40-year reign of a one-party system,” she said. “It’s time for diversity, and strengthening the state and no more one-party politics with all of the scandals.”
Gibson and Sutton worked together for six years in the Legislature.
She said Sutton understands the needs of families, young people, farmers and people in cities.
“He’s all about compromise, he’s all about getting the job done,” Gibson said. “He has overcome lots of obstacles in his life to be where he is.”
State Democratic Party Chair Ann Tornberg said Sutton has been a great champion for working families as a state senator, including serving as the state Senate Democratic leader for the past several years.
“For far too long, the Republican majority in Pierre has shown no interest in helping the working families of our state get ahead, or in listening to the will of the voters on campaign finance and government ethics reform,” she said.

“Due to the awful record of the Republican establishment in Pierre, the people of our state are ready for a positive change,” she said.
“I think he’s a strong candidate,” said Chuck Groth, vice chair of the Beadle County Democratic Party and a long-time party activist.
He said Sutton impressed many people attending the recent McGovern Day weekend in Sioux Falls.
“He’s got a great life story,” Groth said, citing the fact that for 10 years Sutton has been in a wheelchair after being paralyzed in a rodeo accident.
“He still ranches and rides horseback; you’ve got to admire a guy with that perseverance,” Groth said.
Mark Smith, a Huron native who left for the Army in 1969 and returned to his hometown five years ago, said Sutton “offers a breath of fresh air.”
He said Sutton is a young man who is extremely bright and knows adversity.
“He’s a young guy that people can follow,” Smith said.
He said he plans to work on behalf of Sutton and hopes he can attract campaign dollars in South Dakota and get the attention of national donors.