Eight Republicans in crowded commission field

A crowded field of Republicans will head into the June 2 election looking to take a seat as a Custer County Commissioner, with three seats available. The Primary Election will determine which candidates take their seats as commissioners next January, as there are no Democrats or Independents entered in the race.
Mike Linde
Among the candidates is Mike Linde, an incumbent who has served eight years on the commission and seeks a third and final term.
“I’ve learned enough I figured one more time and then I’ll be way too old to do it,” he said. “There’s always ongoing things. It’s fun to get out and talk with people about different problems everybody sees. I have learned a lot.”
Linde has been a Custer County resident for 70 years, and his family has a long history in the county. He lives between Custer and Pringle, and is a retired rancher, logger and construction worker. He currently sits on the Custer/Fall River Landfill board.
Linde said among the qualities he brings to the commission are knowing the area and being fiscally conservative. He said the biggest issues the county will face over the next four years are budgets, and the influx of people and the strain that can create on infrastructure.
“We are getting too many people in the area for what we have infrastructure for,” he said.
Each candidate was asked about the recent commission movement to enact a hiring freeze and potential budget squeeze, with Linde saying there were hints a problem with dwindling reserves was looming but it took getting everything straightened out after past bookkeeping issues for the problem to come to the forefront.
“We don’t necessarily need a hiring freeze, but we need to watch where we hire and what we are doing with them,” he said. “I believe the treasurer’s office will need more help. The state keeps putting more and more of the burden on us. They simplify things, and it simplifies it for Pierre and complicates it for the county.”
Linde said he believes the budget issues were partly created by the government slowdown that led to less grant money, along with unpaid property taxes, which he said can happen for a variety of reasons.
“I think our growth should cover most of our costs,” he said. “The county has not been raising the levies for the county’s portion.”
On the issue of the Fire Fund opt-out, Linde said he is very much in favor, saying an additional $68 in taxes on a $400,000 home is “really cheap.”
“Ask your insurance company what it will cost if there is not a fire department here,” he said. “When you call you want someone to show up. Our fire departments operate on basically nothing. They run way too cheap. They put in way too many hours trying to raise money.”
Each candidate was also asked about the recently-approved state law that allows counties to enact a half cent tax to help offset property taxes, and Linde said he is in favor of it and hoped it could be even more, up to 2 percent.
Marty Mechaley
Current Custer County Sheriff Marty Mechaley, who is set to retire in June, said he threw his hat into the ring for a commission seat because  he is committed to giving back to the community that has welcomed and supported him for the past 21 years.
“Serving the people of our county has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life, and I’m eager to continue that service as commissioner,” he said. “When sheriff (Rick) Wheeler retired, he asked me to leave the sheriff’s office better than I found it — a guiding principle that has shaped my career and that I will carry into this role. I am dedicated to strengthening our community and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive. My primary goal remains unchanged—to leave the county in a better position than I found it.”
Mechaley lives west of the city and moved to Custer County 21 years ago.
Across nine years of being sheriff, Mechaley said he developed a thorough, practical understanding of county operations.
“I provide steady, common-sense leadership and a strong working knowledge of budgeting and long-term planning. I prioritize prevention, distinguish needs from wants and make difficult decisions when required,” he said. “I collaborate effectively with commissioners and officials, listen impartially and foster the stability and respect necessary to deliver results. I remain grounded in my roots and grateful to those who entrusted me with service.”
As far as the biggest issues facing the county over the next four years, Mechaley said  rising property taxes, unreliable school funding, fluctuating revenue from Custer State Park and the ongoing need to distinguish wants from needs to protect essential services are among those. At the same time, he said, many of the county’s most experienced county employees are nearing retirement — creating both risk and opportunity for a thoughtful transition.
“We must stop treating problems as ‘county’ problems or ‘city and town’ problems or ‘school board and state’ problems. These are community problems, and they require community solutions,” he said. “That’s why I’m calling for a practical four‑year plan that brings everyone to the table — commissioners, legislators, department heads, city and town leaders, the school board, state partners and citizens. We must start collaborating to set clear priorities, make fiscally responsible choices and preserve the services our families rely on.”
On the budget front, Mechaley said maintaining a balanced budget is crucial, and if that means implementing a hiring freeze or making necessary reductions, the commission  must be ready to take those steps.
“However, it’s important to approach these decisions thoughtfully to ensure that essential county operations are not adversely affected,” he said. “As candidates for commissioner, we need to acknowledge that winning the election on June 2 does not instantly grant us expertise in areas such as roads, public safety, planning, airports, maintenance, libraries or auditing by June 3. It is vital to gain an understanding of the various departments and their functions while remaining receptive to feedback—not only from fellow elected officials and staff, but also from the community at large.”
Mechaley is in favor of the Fire Fund opt-out on the June 2 ballot, saying he has witnessed first hand the devastation fires have caused in the community.
“It is crucial that we properly fund all our fire departments. We ask a great deal of our volunteers, who bravely put their lives on the line to battle these fires,” he said. “At the very least, we must ensure they have the proper funding to acquire necessary equipment for firefighting and for their personal safety.”
On the half cent tax Mechaley said while no one enjoys the idea of facing additional taxes, he believes this one could be beneficial. 
“Our county, which attracts a significant number of tourists, incurs costs for providing essential services to visitors during their stays,” he said. “Implementing the county sales tax could create a funding source that allows us to recoup some of those expenses and reinvest that revenue into reducing our property taxes.”
Craig Hindle
Craig Hindle is an incumbent who seeks reelection and is in his eighth year as a commissioner.
“I will continue to work with everyone and do my best to make honest and fair decisions by trying to educate myself and engage in the conversations with all parties,” Hindle said of seeking reelection.
Hindle lives in Pringle, and has lived in the county for 50 years. He is a general contractor and serves as a liaison to several board and county entities which he said keeps him busy.
Hindle said he believes he brings honesty and integrity to the position of commissioner, and said he has more work to do for Custer County.
As far as issues facing the county over the next four years, Hindle said one big issue is county funding and the expenditure of reserve funds.
“Over-budgeting has been happening since before I was on the board, and we need to make some corrections to get ahead of it. Funding sources are getting constrictive, and we need to be aware of this,” he said. “Department heads have done an excellent job on budgeting, but we need to get more involved and work together on this. We have had wage studies done, and the cost of living for Custer County employees has been lacking.”
To that end, Hindle said he has pushed for higher wages since day one for county employees in order to retain good help and reduce turnover.
“I am not in favor of laying off/firing anyone so as they leave/retire we do need to take a long look at that position,” he said. “It’s simple—if the county can’t afford it then we need to make changes where we can. We are asking them to step up and do more as they can. I believe the investment has and will be beneficial to Custer County.”
Hindle is supportive of the Fire Fund opt-out.
“Funding for our departments is very low, and we need to step up and make sure our friends and neighbors that volunteer in these departments have the protection they need,”he said. “This is a four-year plan in hopes this will give us time to form fire district/districts.”
He is also supportive of the half cent county sales tax.
“We have been trying to get Pierre to listen for a while on this and finally the governor stepped up,” he said. “We have the tourism industry that we can tap into, and it will reduce the amount of property taxes that we pay as owner occupied residents. This is the first step in tax relief for us.”
Hindle said he would like to tell county residents he goes home every night and sleeps like a baby, but he can’t—not because he has done something he’s not proud of or has a guilty conscience, but because the job of commissioner can be consuming and he always seems to have several issues to ponder and try to figure out.
“I seem to do my best thinking at night. It would be nice if we could just say yes to everyone, but that is not the job we are given,” he said. “I am proud to be one of your commissioners and would like the honor to continue my work.”
Nathan Chowning
Nathan Chowning lived in the county from 1992-97 and moved back to Custer in 2009 and lives in city limits, while having also lived on the east side of the county in Hermosa.
Chowning is operations manager with Iris Metals Inc. and previously worked on the mountain crew at Crazy Horse Memorial and served as a Custer County Sheriff’s Office deputy. He also sits on the board of directors for the South Dakota Minerals Association.
He said he is running for commission to restore faith in leadership at the county level, reconcile damaged relationships, repair accountability and reunite the county. 
Chowning said he brings willingness to work through difficult situations and bring people together for the good of the county and the taxpayers.
“While working at the Custer County Sheriff’s Office, you find yourself in the middle of situations that require someone to be cool, calm and collected while gathering the best information to arrive at a positive outcome,” he said.
Chowning said inflated property taxes, school budgets and staffing are the biggest issues facing the county over the next four years, and on the budget front, he said he would recommend cutting health insurance for commissioners as a start to trimming the budget.
“I understand as a leader you can be tasked with cuts and budgetary restrictions; I have seen that in the industry that I am in. Once budgets are approved, hold the leadership accountable to stay within their budgets,” he said. “On the topic of a hiring freeze, without seeing all the work loads at the county level, I would not have the information to make an educated decision.”
Chowning is in favor of the Fire Fund opt-out, saying there needs to be greater funding for the services that protect Custer and all the communities in the county.
“Had this already been addressed in the past, I think the losses that we saw during the recent fire could have been reduced or even prevented,” he said.
He is also supportive of the half cent sales tax if all the funds go directly to property tax relief.
“I would like to have the opportunity to serve the people of Custer County,” Chowning said.
Mark Sullivan
 Mark Sullivan moved to Custer County in October 2020 and lives in the Argyle area. He is retired military and said he has never served on a board or in a political arena.
Sullivan said he is running for a seat on the commission because he has no conflicts with agriculture, ranching, development, building, construction, etc.  
“I am completely neutral, thus, no one owes me and I owe no one,” he said. “I think critically, logically and linearly.  My ‘job’ will be to represent and serve every citizen in Custer County. That’ll be my only job.”
Sullivan says he has held certification/licensing in three of the larger infrastructure areas in this county—law enforcement, medical and firefighting.
“Most important in those areas is having the ability to think, address and solve complex scenarios in an efficient, timely and equitable manner,” he said. “I’m not new to these important areas. I’m certain I’ll be able to join in with my fellow commissioners quickly, not having to be brought up to speed on issues.”
As far as issues facing the county over the next four years, Sullivan said he believes all of the “issues” facing the county ultimately come down to accountability.
“I know good from bad, right from wrong and truth from deception,” he said. “I’ll work for the good, I’ll champion the right and I’ll always speak the truth.”
On the budget topic, Sullivan said the cuts will begin with him if elected, saying he will cut his own commission salary 30 percent (“I do need gas money,” he said) and he will cut any and all health benefits as he does not need them.
“Again, more stringent accountability is needed in all corners of governance,” he said. “Is it possible that some want to freeze the ‘pie’ so someone else can’t have a ‘slice?’” he asked.
As far as the Fire Fund opt-out, Sullivan said he questioned what happens after the first four years and was told hopefully districts are formed by then.
“‘Good answer,’ I thought.  Another question I asked  was, ‘will this ‘new’ money be given to the departments in a lump sum?’ (We all know what happens then)  The answer was, ‘It’ll be given quarterly or biannually.’ Again, I think that’s good.  Honestly, we all fear this may be another tax that goes on in perpetuity,” he said. “I’m willing to pay.”
He is not, however, in favor of the half cent county sales tax, calling it just another higher tax.
“I think we must address spending first,” he said. “There is some question that this decision may never be referred to a vote.”
Sullivan said he and many others have stated the county needs new blood.
“The folks I’ve been talking with from Fairburn to Argyle to Custer Highlands are genuinely concerned that they are not being represented,” he said. “In several instances, they’ve felt ignored. To be perfectly clear, this will be my one and only job. My sole mission will be to respond and answer directly to the citizens.”
Shannon Shields
Shannon Shields lives in the Argyle area and has been a county resident for six years. She works in cyber security and technology management, specializing in governance, compliance and infrastructure operations.
“In plain terms, I build systems that help organizations operate securely, transparently and within established rules—the same principles I want to bring to county government,” Shields said.
Shields is a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, the Royal White Sheep Society, Women in Tech and the Custer County Republicans. She said she participates in weekly Bible study and in 2024 was honored to serve as Custer County’s alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where she served on the Credentials Committee — representing this community on a national stage.
Shields said she decided to run for a seat on the county commission after  pulling the county’s audit reports herself.
“Eight years. Every cycle. The same findings. The same violations,” she said.
She said although she has never served in the capacity of commissioner, she has worked directly alongside executive leadership, department heads, auditors and vendors to solve complex problems and manage risk.
“That experience translates directly to this role,” she said.
Shields said if elected she would bring a deep, industry-driven understanding of technology, modernization and cyber security.
“I know what it looks like when systems are outdated, when processes create risk, and when better tools can save time and money,” she said.
As for the issues facing the county the next four years, Shields said fiscal responsibility and transparency are among them.
“Every tax dollar must be accounted for, every funding opportunity pursued and every financial report filed on time,” she said. “Public safety and infrastructure are the same issue. Just like in the private sector, when infrastructure is neglected, safety and reliability suffer. Without well-maintained roads and bridges, emergency services cannot reach people when it matters most. When we neglect one, we fail the other.”
When it comes to the budget, Shields said a hiring freeze is a reaction, not a strategy.
“Our highway department is already three employees short. Cutting further without a plan puts public services at risk,” she said. “Budget decisions must be driven by data and department needs.”
When it comes to the Fire Fund opt-out, Shields said she supports firefighters and first responders but ultimately the decision belongs to the citizens.
“Personally, I’m willing to pay my share to support our fire departments,” she said. “But I also understand that for some families in this county, that’s a real burden — and they deserve to know the money will be managed responsibly before they’re asked to commit to it.”
When it comes to the half cent sales tax, Shields said the concept is sound — saying shifting a portion of the tax burden from owner-occupied properties to everyone who uses resources is a more equitable approach. 
“Tourists and visitors use our roads, our emergency services, and our infrastructure for half the year, and having them contribute their share makes sense,” she said. “However, increasing the tax burden for everyone while lowering it for some is the equivalent of robbing Peter to pay Paul. Your opinion on that largely depends on whether you are Peter or Paul.”
Eric Lewis
Eric Lewis, a real estate agent, lives northwest of the City of Custer and has been a county resident since 1998 with a brief stint in Wyoming. He serves on the Custer County Planning Commission and is commander of VFW Post 3442. He is also a past school board member.
Lewis said he decided to seek a seat on the commission because he feels he has a lot to offer the residents of Custer County.
“I think that there needs to be a little more common sense in some of the decisions being made at the commission,” he said. “I also feel that we need to focus a little more on property rights and changing/ altering some of the strict rules governing what you can and can’t do regarding your own property.”
Common sense and straight talk are among the qualities Lewis said he would bring to the commission.
When it comes to pressing issues over the next four years, Lewis said property taxes would be one of the main things that needs to be brought under control.
“Also, as more and more people move to our area from less conservative states, we will need to stay on guard to make sure our conservative values remain intact,” he said.
On the budget front, Lewis said the county “certainly needs to be fiscally responsible.”
“If RIFs or a hiring freeze need to take place to keep within our budget, then so be it,” he said. “However, I don’t feel making a decision like that should be taken lightly.”
Lewis said he is supportive of both the Fire Fund opt-out and the half cent county sales tax to help offset property taxes.
“I like the idea of the voters deciding if they want to give more money for their emergency services,” he said. “If passed, each person will spend such a small amount to get a huge piece of mind.”
Lewis said he wishes the half cent tax were a higher amount.
“This will really help the people that have been feeling the property tax squeeze,” he said.
Lewis said while he doesn’t claim to know everything about the inner workings of the county, he is willing to put in the time to learn.
“I don’t know what I don’t know,” he said.
Jesse Sorenson
Jesse Sorenson lives on a family ranch between Hermosa and Fairburn,  and has lived in Custer County for 31 years—25 years in the Custer/Pringle area and six years south of Hermosa.
Sorenson, system coordinator for Black Hills Electric Cooperative for 22 years, now also works on his ranch. He spent 10 years on the Pringle Volunteer Fire Department and served on the Rocky Knolls Golf Course board for six years.
He previously served on the commission from 2016-20 and said he feels like he learned a lot in those four years, which he will bring back to the commission if reelected.
“I aim to improve community services, address citizen concerns, manage the county budget and have equal representation throughout Custer County,” he said. “I am experienced in many areas and very eager to learn more. I will bring a young view on things with me. I am pro-gun and an avid outdoorsman.”
Over the next four years Sorenson said there are the main issues such as taxes, roads and financial stability to deal with, but he is also concerned about ambulance services in eastern Custer County and feels it is a big issue.
On the budget issue, Sorenson called a hiring freeze a “Band-Aid on a large wound.”
“I think that the county needs to be gone through with a fine-toothed comb and see where efficiencies can be made,” he said.
Sorenson supports the Fire Fund opt-out, saying volunteer fire departments are an essential part of protecting Custer County.
“This opt-out was decided by the fire advisory board and we should trust what they need,” he said.
Sorenson is also in support of the half cent county sales tax.
“I am 100 percent in favor of implementing the tax on day one,” he said. “This tax will relieve a large financial burden on Custer County landowners.”
Sorenson said with his job, he travels on all Custer County roads and visits with many residents daily.
“I believe that I can be a good voice for all Custer County residents who have questions and concerns,” he said. “I give 100 percent to anything I am involved in.”