Letter to the Editor - Sutton: ‘I’m endorsing Blake Rife’

I am pleased to offer my endorsement of Blake Rife as he seeks to serve in the South Dakota House of Representatives for District 2.

Having spent eight years serving in the South Dakota Senate, including four years as Minority Leader, and having had the opportunity to run for Governor of South Dakota in 2018, I have come to appreciate the importance of choosing people for public office who understand that serving others is at the heart of effective leadership. Blake Rife is someone I believe embodies that commitment to service.

Blake’s professional and personal history reflects a consistent willingness to work hard and serve others. He was a teacher with the Bon Homme School District, spent 10 years operating a ranch, was elected to a township board in a rural community, and later transitioned to nursing in Sioux Falls. His career path tells me a great deal about the kind of person he is. Blake has repeatedly chosen professions and responsibilities centered around helping people and contributing to his community.

We live in a time when the people of South Dakota need an advocate who will support those in need, strengthen both our rural communities and our growing urban communities, and advance true competition on behalf of our state. I believe Blake can get that done for South Dakota.

I am supporting Blake because I believe he will do the right thing. Sometimes the right thing isn’t popular, and taking the right action can be challenging. Blake is the kind of guy who understands that hard work is part of the job, and his history demonstrates that he is not afraid to take on difficult challenges.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Blake’s candidacy. This is his first time running for office, and he is already demonstrating the work ethic and commitment to service that I believe South Dakotans should expect from someone asking for their support.
I am proud to endorse Blake Rife for the South Dakota House of Representatives

Billie H. Sutton
Former South Dakota State Senator, Minority Leader & Candidate for Governor