The Ballot Brief
Custer County, South Dakota

South Dakota House District 30

Swanson, Ladner and Goodwin are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Custer County election filings.

About this race

Bret Swanson (Democratic), Trish Ladner (Republican), Tim R Goodwin (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for South Dakota House District 30. Voters choose two. Trish Ladner and Tim R Goodwin are sitting members, per the Legislature's 2026 session roster. Party nominees were chosen at the June 2, 2026 primary, per the South Dakota Secretary of State's 2026 general-election candidate list.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Voters choose 2; the top 2 finishers win seats. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. Sitting officeholders on the ballot: Trish Ladner, Tim R Goodwin.

This list comes from official election records but may be incomplete. It can miss, for example, late or petition candidates and some city, school and district races. Your official sample ballot is the final word.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

South Dakota › Custer County › South Dakota House District 30

Bret Swanson

Democratic

Biography

Bret Swanson is a former Rapid City Area Schools board member and middle school teacher, per the Rapid City Journal. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.

Trish Ladner

RepublicanIncumbent

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Reform and relieve property taxes
Biography

Trish Ladner is a South Dakota state representative for District 30, first elected in 2020, and co-owns a marketing business that promotes small business and tourism in the southern Black Hills, per the campaign site. The campaign site says Ladner previously managed a non-profit with more than 150 employees and serves on the Agriculture and Natural Resources and Commerce and Energy committees.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Tim R Goodwin

RepublicanIncumbent

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Proposes a pipeline project to bring Missouri River water to the Black Hills, supported by federal grant funding.
  • Supports uranium extraction in Fall River County alongside environmental protection.
  • Wants to address unrealistic property tax assessments and rising insurance rates.
Biography

Tim Goodwin is a retired U.S. Army officer who served 24 years, including as a paratrooper and combat medic with the 82nd Airborne Division, per South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Goodwin first won the District 30 seat in 2016, served six years including four as majority whip, and returned to the Legislature in 2025 after a two year absence, per South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Goodwin also spent 20 years as a home improvement sales manager, per South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Next on your ballotSouth Dakota Senate District 30

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Questions about this race

Who is running for South Dakota House District 30 in 2026?

3 candidates are tracked for South Dakota House District 30 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Bret Swanson, Trish Ladner and Tim R Goodwin. Candidate information follows official Custer County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the South Dakota House District 30 election in South Dakota?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for South Dakota are on the South Dakota election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Custer County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Custer County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official South Dakota election office, or see the full Custer County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Custer County ballot

2 tracked races in Custer County, South Dakota. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

See all 2 Custer County races
Candidate profiles
Bret Swanson, full profileTrish Ladner, full profileTim R Goodwin, full profileOfficial South Dakota election office