STURGIS, S.D. – Sturgis Mayor Kevin Forrester has resigned and the council plans to meet in special session Wednesday to discuss how to move forward.

Forrester’s resignation comes as he battles pancreatic cancer, which he announced the diagnosis of last fall.

During a press conference today, Sturgis City Administrator Aaron Jordan says Forrester has been having conversations with city leaders and the council as his health continued to deteriorate this spring.

Jordan says Ward 2 councilor and Sturgis Council President Tony Dargatz will serve as Mayor Pro-Temp.

Dargatz, sitting in with Administrator Jordan, says as council president, he is prepared for the challenge.

The full Sturgis City Council will meet tomorrow night to discuss their desires on how to move forward.

Jordan says Sturgis City Ordinance now states that if there is a vacancy at mayor, the position may be filled by appointment by a majority vote of council members until a special election can be scheduled.

Jordan says there has been some preliminary discussion suggesting a possible election timeline in early June.

Forrester was elected as mayor in April of 2025. Mayoral terms in Sturgis are three years under city ordinance. The person chosen in a special election would fill the remainder of Forrester’s term, which would expire in April of 2028.