HURON — Huron resident Jim A. Schmidt has declared his candidacy for the District 22 S.D. State Senate seat currently held by David Wheeler.

Schmidt, 74, is originally from Crow Lake and his lived and worked in Huron since the early 1980s. He is retired, after a career in maintenance at both the Beadle County Courthouse and the Federal Building. He is running as a Democrat

“I am running because people are not being heard in Pierre,,” Schmidt said as part of his announcement. “The legislature is attempting to shove this carbon pipeline down their throats and I am looking to step up and fight on their behalf.”

He noted “bi-partisan support” for his candidacy, as “neither Democratic or Republican farmers, or small town residents want to see this pipeline go through their land. I want to give local people back the control of their ordinances.”

The general election is Nov. 6.