Frye-Mueller is Senate winner

As of press time it appears former District 30 Rep. Julie Frye-Mueller (R) will be the next District 30 Senator, as she led Libertarian challenger Gideon Oakes by a 70 percent to 30 percent margin.

In the statewide ballot contests, Constitutional Amendment A, an amendment to the South Dakota Constitution to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana; and to require the legislature to pass laws regarding hemp as well as laws ensuring access to marijuana for medical use was being approved 52 percent to 48 percent.

Constitutional Amendment B, an amendment to the South Dakota Constitution authorizing the legislature to allow sports wagering in Deadwood was being approved by a 58 to 42 percent margin.

Initiated Measure 26, an initiated measure to legalize marijuana for medical use passed by an even larger margin, with 69 percent in favor and 31 percent opposed as of press time.

In state races, it appears Republican Mike Rounds easily retained his seat in the U.S. Senate, as he was leading Democratic Dan Ahlers 68 to 32 percent. Rep. Dusty Johnson, also a Republican, was cruising to reelection in the U.S. House of Representatives by a landslide, with 83 percent of the vote.

District 30 representatives will be Republicans Tim Goodwin and Trish Ladner, who faced no challengers.