Rapid City, SD – A group of 19 legislative candidates from across South Dakota have formally signed the Data Center Accountability Pledge (D-CAP), committing to taking action on data center expansion in the state and pledging to protect “consumer, communities, and the environment” if elected into office, the group announced in a statement.

Jeff Shelton, South Dakota Senate candidate from District 32 representing north and central Rapid City, said, “Many of the candidates who have signed this pledge have spent the last several weeks knocking on doors and listening to voters in their communities. In these conversations with the neighbors and relatives we hope to represent, it’s clear that data centers aren’t wanted in South Dakota. If elected, we intend to show South Dakotans that we hear their message loud and clear. Through commitments ranging from legislation action to rejection of special interest money, we stand committed to protecting our constituents.”

According to the Data Center Accountability page, the group is taking action now in response to the failure of HB1301 which failed in the 2026 South Dakota Legislative Session. HB1301 would “limit the costs and risks associated with electricity use by data centers and impose a moratorium.” The bill had its first reading on Feb. 4, 2026, and was deferred to the 41^st legislative day – basically killed – 14 days later in the House State Affairs Committee.

“This pledge represents a meaningful commitment to action, not just rhetoric,” said Amanda Potter, South Dakota House of Representatives candidate from District 9 (western Sioux Falls and Hartford). “By signing it, these candidates are signaling that data centers will be one of their foremost priorities in the 2027 legislative session. Furthermore, we will make sure information about the actions we take during session is easily accessible by the average South Dakotan, not hidden away in the legislative record.”

Both Potter and Shelton encourage other candidates throughout the state, no matter the party, to sign the pledge and commit to voters that they will keep their best interests at the forefront.

The key commitments of the pledge are:

● Day zero action: Candidates pledge to begin work on protections for South Dakotans and their communities immediately upon election, before the 2027 legislative session begins.

● Rejection of financial interests: Candidates pledge that they have rejected and will reject campaign donations or other support from groups aligned with data centers. Candidates will not support sales tax waivers or other tax incentives to promote data center construction.

● Ongoing transparency during session: Candidates will provide clear communication regarding any legislative action regarding data centers on the D-CAP website (www.dcapsd.org).

● Defense of local control: Candidates will oppose any bills that weaken local governments’ ability to regulate, pause or ban data center development in their own communities.

Read the D-CAP Pledge and review candidate signees at https://www.dcapsd.org/

D-CAP Signers:
Amanda Potter, Candidate, HD-9 (Sioux Falls/Hartford)

Jeff Shelton, Candidate, SD-32 (Rapid in City)

Aaron Matson, Candidate, SD-11 (Sioux Falls)

Ali Rae Horsted, Candidate HD-13 (Sioux Falls)

Sonja Mentzer, Candidate HD-11 (Sioux Falls)

Erin Ronayne Rudner, Candidate HD-3 (Aberdeen)

Tim Rhead, Candidate HD-16 (Canton)

Erinn Williams, Candidate HD-14 (Sioux Falls)

Joe Zweifel, Candidate SD-12 (Sioux Falls) 

Leslie Gerrish, Candidate HD-17 (Clay County and Union County)

Karen Springer, Candidate HD-18 (Yankton County and Wakonda)

Austin Brunick, Candidate HD-17 (Union and Clay County)

Austin Wolf, Candidate HD-6 (Lincoln County)

Emelia Enquist, Candidate HD-4 (Clark, rural Codington, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, and Roberts Counties)

Heidi Hora, Candidate HD-19 (Bon Homme, Hanson, Hutchinson, McCook, Turner Counties)

Morgan Plucker, Candidate HD-31 (Lawrence County)

Kathleen Brudvig, Candidate HD-10 (Sioux Falls)

Celestine Stadnick, Candidate SD-27 (Oglala Lakota, Bennett, Jackson, Pennington Counties) 

Lewis GrassRope, Candidate HD-26B (Brule, Lyman, Hughes, Hyde, Jones, Buffalo Counties)