Result

Incumbent state Sen. Glen A. Vilhauer (R-SD) won reelection to South Dakota State Senate District 5 in the Nov. 3 general election, running unopposed and retaining the Watertown-area seat for Republicans. ​

Vilhauer received 6,113 votes, or 100% of votes cast for candidates in the contest, according to unofficial results from the South Dakota secretary of state. All 12 precincts reported results. Vilhauer's victory secures a second two-year term in the South Dakota Senate. First elected in 2024, he took office in January 2025. His reelection keeps District 5 under Republican control.

He previously defeated state Rep. Josephine Garcia (R-SD) in the June 2 Republican primary, receiving 1,852 votes (59.1%) compared with Garcia's 1,283 votes (40.9%).

Candidates and platforms

Vilhauer's campaign website describes him as supporting a fiscally conservative approach to government and a balanced state budget. When he announced his reelection bid, he cited efforts to fund public education and the state's technical colleges, including Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, according to The Public Opinion.

Northeast Radio SD News reported that Vilhauer emphasized support for the South Dakota National Guard. He also advocated limiting state interference in decisions made by cities, counties and school districts. In a legislative-session interview with KXLG, Vilhauer identified state employee salaries, K-12 school operations and Medicaid among the major state spending priorities for fiscal 2026.

District and chamber

Senate District 5 includes Watertown and surrounding communities in Codington County. Vilhauer, a Republican, has represented the district since January 2025, after winning the 2024 general election.

Vilhauer's reelection preserves Republican control of the district and allows him to continue representing the Watertown area in the South Dakota Legislature. Republicans maintained their majority in the 35-member state Senate following the Nov. 3 election. South Dakota senators serve two-year terms. Vilhauer's next term begins in January 2027.

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