Will Christine Erickson be first female mayor of South Dakota’s biggest cities?

While South Dakota’s largest city is preparing to swear in its first female mayor, she will not be the first woman to lead one of the state’s three largest cities.

Aberdeen, the state’s third-largest city with a population of 28,479, last had a female mayor in the 1980s. Delphine “Del” Janusz was elected in 1981 and served until 1987. 

Neither Sioux Falls nor Rapid City has had a female mayor, but Sioux Falls is set to inaugurate its first.

Christine Erickson was elected to be the next Sioux Falls mayor in a runoff against Jamie Smith after a recount showed she won by a four-vote margin. Smith can challenge via the courts, and he was set to make an announcement on his plans at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Erickson will be sworn in on Friday.

Erickson was a state legislator and former Sioux Falls City Council member.