About 180 people attended a Rapid City Council candidate forum Thursday night at the Canyon Lake Senior Center, where 10 candidates discussed city issues ahead of the June 2 election.
All five council wards are contested this year for the first time since 2002. Incumbents Josh Biberdorf (Ward 1), Lindsey Seachris (Ward 2), Kevin Maher (Ward 3) and John Roberts (Ward 4) are seeking reelection, while Rod Pettigrew (Ward 5) is not.
Challengers include Murray Lee (Ward 1), Christopher Vanderhoof (Ward 2), Andrea Schaefer (Ward 3), Valeriah Big Eagle (Ward 4), and Pat Roseland and Laura Armstrong (Ward 5). Ward 4 candidate Ardin Cychosz withdrew earlier this week.
Hosted by South Dakota Citizens for Liberty, the forum focused on issues such as infrastructure, growth, housing affordability, public safety and homelessness. Candidates also weighed in on the voter‑rejected Libertyland USA tax increment financing district, with opinions split largely along current council voting lines.
Absentee voting for the election was delayed because of ballot‑printing timelines under state law. Voter registration closes May 18, with Election Day set for June 2.
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