RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – For Democratic State Representative Nicole Uhre-Balk, surviving in Pierre with a Republican supermajority requires a skillset she honed long before entering politics: managing a classroom. She compares the legislative process to a “group project,” but with much higher stakes.
In a state capitol where Democrats hold only a handful of seats, she says that sometimes being in the minority party means holding deciding votes. Especially when the supermajority splits between moderate and conservative Republicans. A swing-vote dynamic which, she says, often turns her small caucus into the most popular group on the grounds.
“A lot of people would have to come to us when the votes are really split,” Uhre-Balk explained, “If the Democrats can get on and vote for this, then they know that they have a better chance of making legislation pass.”
This dynamic has brought some of the state’s most powerful politicians to the office door of the Minority Whips. It’s a legislative leadership position, named after an old fox-hunting reference; and a Whip’s task is to garner votes for or against a particular bill. Whips are elected by the members of their respective party caucuses.
“Definitely, the governor’s office came and saw us several times as a caucus on different issues,” Uhre-Balk said, “And I can’t tell you the number of times—from either side—that representatives would come up to us and be like, ‘We really need your vote,’ and also, ‘You’re so much easier to work with than the other side.’ We hear that a lot too.”
South Dakota is governed by a trifecta, meaning one party has control of the executive branch and both legislative chambers. Uhre-Balk says succeeding as a Democrat in a state so ruby red requires strong communication skills and the ability to find common ground with members of the majority party, including within its internal factions.
“It’s just about being able to talk to everyone, whether you agree on everything or not,” she said, “And when we do agree—again, let’s work together. And when we don’t—I’m sure there will be an issue that we will agree on.”
District 32 consists of the urban core of Rapid City. It includes Downtown, North Rapid, and historic West Blvd. Uhre-Balk says that the political affiliation of the voters who live in her district is split into thirds; one-third Republican, one-third Democrat and one-third Independent. Her constituency includes affluent professionals alongside those struggling to make ends meet.
That purple dot within Rapid City’s urban center can feel like an island for her during the legislative session; with Uhre-Balk currently serving as the lone Democrat representing any of Rapid City’s five legislative districts (Districts 30, 32, 33, 34 and 35) in either the State House or the Senate.
When she’s not at the statehouse, Uhre-Balk says you can find her hiking in the Black Hills with her two pugs. Or, if it’s campaign season, riding her e-bike around the neighborhood going door-to-door.
The other candidates running on the November ballot for one of two Representative seats in District 32 are; incumbent Steve Duffy (R), Zac Martin (R), and Samuel Hare Sr. (I).
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