Following election win, incoming South Dakota lawmaker's position in doubt

After talks of resignation, Rep.-elect Chris Reder says no decision made

A Brown County Republican elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives earlier this month might not be headed to Pierre in January after all.

Rep.-elect Chris Reder is voicing uncertainty about his ability to serve in the Legislature two weeks after winning his election to represent District 1 in the state House.

According to communications between Reder and other Republican officials obtained by The Dakota Scout and first reported by Aberdeen Insider, the Aberdeen military veteran said he intended to resign his position before being sworn in for a two-year term on Jan. 14.

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However, Reder, in a text message to The Scout Tuesday afternoon, said no decision has been made, that earlier news reports were based on conversations intended to be private, and that he’s coping with unexpected health struggles.