Nicole Mitzel
Nicole Mitzel is a Rapid City Republican running for South Dakota Senate District 35 (Rapid City, Rapid Valley, Box Elder). She spent nearly a decade on Capitol Hill in public affairs with the Republican National Committee before returning to the Black Hills, where she worked as a juvenile correctional officer with the Pennington County Sheriff's Office and now serves as Business Development Manager at Quality Interiors and on the board of the Black Hills Home Builders Association. She and her husband, Pennington County Sheriff's Lt. Jason Mitzel, live in Rapid City.
Why they’re
Sensible
Mitzel pairs federal policy experience with hands-on local work — supervising at-risk kids inside the Pennington County jail and serving on the Black Hills Home Builders Association board tackling the region's housing squeeze. She has been specific about what she would do in Pierre: relief from property taxes that are 'crushing' District 35 families, expanded school choice and parental transparency, and more workforce-priced housing so 'police officers, teachers, young families, and service members can live where they work.' Former Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thom, who supervised her husband for years, vouches for her integrity and work ethic — exactly the temperament District 35 needs after a session dominated by property-tax anger.
Key positions
“District 35 families are being crushed by rising property taxes.”
“Parents — not bureaucrats — know what's best for their children.”
“Advocate for more affordable housing so police officers, teachers, young families, and service members can live where they work.”
“Stand unwaveringly pro-Second Amendment.”
“District 35 deserves leadership grounded in faith and integrity — not politics as usual.”
Notable votes & actions
Also running for
SD State Senate · District 35
Every other candidate filed for this seat, listed for transparency. Our Sensible slate reflects the full field — not just a single pick.