Michael Klinski
Michael Klinski
Freelance Reporter
michael.klinski@sdnewswatch.org

No.

While South Dakota’s largest city is preparing to swear in its first female mayor, she will not be the first woman to lead one of the state’s three largest cities.

Aberdeen, the state's third-largest city with a population of 28,479, last had a female mayor in the 1980s. Delphine “Del” Janusz was elected in 1981 and served until 1987. 

Neither Sioux Falls nor Rapid City has had a female mayor, but Sioux Falls is set to inaugurate its first.

Christine Erickson was elected to be the next Sioux Falls mayor in a runoff against Jamie Smith after a recount showed she won by a four-vote margin. Smith can challenge via the courts, and he was set to make an announcement on his plans at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Erickson will be sworn in on Friday.

Erickson was a state legislator and former Sioux Falls City Council member.

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This fact brief responds to claims such as this one.

Sources

Dakota News Now, Christine Erickson announced as winner of Sioux Falls mayoral race after recount

SiouxFallsLive.com, Jamie Smith to detail plans in recount for Sioux Falls mayor on Tuesday

Rapid City Library, Rapid City mayors

Sioux Falls Argus Leader, How Christine Erickson became Sioux Falls' first female mayor

Census.gov, Aberdeen population

About fact briefs

Fact briefs are bite-sized, well-sourced explanations that offer clear "yes" or "no" answers to questions, confusions and unsupported claims circulating online. They rely on publicly available data and documents, often from the original source. Fact briefs are written and published by South Dakota News Watch as part of the Gigafact network. Submit a question for us to answer on the tipline.

South Dakota News Watch is an independent nonprofit. Read, donate and subscribe for free at sdnewswatch.org. Contact freelance reporter Michael Klinski: michael.klinski@sdnewswatch.org.