BUILD WHAT MATTERS.
WHY I’M RUNNING
A BUILDER FOR SOUTH DAKOTA
As an architect and community builder, I’ve spent nearly a decade helping Aberdeen grow. I returned home to start my career, raise my family, and invest in a community I believe in. From downtown revitalization to new schools and public spaces, I look at a community and see untapped potential. I’m running because our state government should do the same.
My approach is simple:
We can’t afford political distractions. We need a Legislature that is focused on real governance, fiscal efficiency, and measurable results; not headlines. I want to approach government like a builder: measure twice, cut once, and make every dollar count. Value isn’t about what you pay today; it’s about what you don’t have to pay tomorrow. When the Legislature makes poor decisions, we all pay for it in the long run.
I’ve helped restore blighted buildings on Main Street, created much-needed housing for Aberdeen, and increased economic vitality across the state. These are multimillion-dollar projects that were delivered through careful planning, collaboration, and a focus on results. Results that are continuing to pay off today.
I want to bring that same builder’s mindset to the Legislature for District 3:
- Plan carefully.
- Invest wisely.
- Deliver measurable returns for taxpayers.
We need problem solvers and new voices. Hardworking builders, not talkers. We need to build what matters for Aberdeen and northeast South Dakota: strong communities, good jobs, and a thriving economy.
I’m not a politician. I am your hometown architect, and I will always put District 3 first.
I would be honored to earn your vote.
PRIORITIES
BUILD WHAT MATTERS FOR SOUTH DAKOTA
My priorities are clear: that allow our communities to thrive.
Economic Vitality
A strong economy starts with strong foundations. As an architect, I’ve seen firsthand how the right investments create lasting value, and how shortsighted decisions cost taxpayers for decades. A builder’s mindset means investing in what truly matters for working families and local businesses:
- Roads, utilities, and infrastructure that support long-term growth.
- Attainable housing and quality schools that strengthen our workforce and communities.
- The tools and stability local businesses need to hire, expand, and stay competitive.
Smart, targeted investments save money over time and reduce the tax burden on the average taxpayer, instead of pushing costs down the road. That’s how we build an economy that works for everyone in District 3.
Attraction and Retention
South Dakota’s future depends on our ability to keep and attract the next generation. Personal freedom includes the freedom to build your life and your business in your hometown; but that is impossible without opportunity. I will focus on:
- Expanding affordable and attainable housing so families can afford to stay and put down roots.
- Strengthening K-12 education, workforce training, and career pathways so opportunity starts at home.
- Supporting quality-of-life amenities that make District 3 a place young people want to call home.
Young people should be able to build their careers, start families, and open businesses right here. We need to make sure the door is wide open for them.
Freedom & Fiscal Responsibility
Personal freedom and fiscal responsibility are two sides of the same coin. When government overspends or oversteps, taxpayers lose both their money and their liberty. I will focus on:
- Using the budget as a tool for strategic investment that compounds and grows, not for political distractions.
- Prioritizing projects that generate sustainable economic growth and keep more dollars in the hands of the people who earned them.
- Demanding clear outcomes for taxpayers and a government that stays focused on its core responsibilities.
With planning and disciplined decision-making, we can protect personal freedoms, build a stronger economy, and keep South Dakota a place where families and businesses are free to thrive.
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about
SPENCER SOMMERS
Spencer Sommers is an architect whose work spans educational, commercial, historic, and civic projects. As a manager of multimillion-dollar projects, he has a proven track record of delivering results on time and on budget. He has served as an adjunct instructor at South Dakota State University, teaching professional practice.
Over nearly a decade in community development, Sommers has helped lead initiatives that turned ideas into results, with a particular focus on downtown Aberdeen’s revitalization. He has played a central role in the planning and design of many of the buildings contributing to Aberdeen’s growth and quality of life, including the K.O. Lee Library, Citizens Bank building, NSU Business and Health Innovation Center, and Dacotah Bank Stadium.
Sommers serves on multiple local boards, including the Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen Downtown Association, Aberdeen Development Corporation, Homes Are Possible Inc., and the Aberdeen Board of Zoning Adjustment.
His leadership in community development has earned him national recognition as an Emerging City Champion by the Knight Foundation, as well as honors such as one of Prairie Business Four Under 40 and an Emerging Leader at the Community Champions Awards. He has shared his expertise on rural and small-city revitalization at the National AIA Conference on Architecture, AIA state chapter conferences, and regional placemaking forums across the US.
Sommers is committed to practical, fiscally responsible solutions grounded in long-term planning and measurable results for the people of District 3.