NOTE TO READERS: Three candidates are running for election to a seat on the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission this fall. Republican Kristie Fiegen of Sioux Falls, Libertarian Gideon Oakes of Keystone and Democrat Forrest Wilson of Lead. The election is for a six-year term. Fiegen currently holds the seat. KELOLAND News Capitol Bureau reporter Bob Mercer asked each of the candidates the same questions. Here are their written answers.
Tell us, in a few hundred words, who you are, personally and professionally.
Fiegen: I am blessed to have grown up on a family farm near Parker, South Dakota, and learned at a young age what makes South Dakota a great place to live and work. I attended South Dakota State University and received a double major in commercial economics and agricultural business and a master’s degree in business administration from University of South Dakota.
I spent over 25 years of my career serving South Dakota families through my statewide leadership positions with non-profits, nine years as the South Dakota area manager for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and 17 years as the president of Junior Achievement of South Dakota. Since 2011, I have been your trusted voice at the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission looking out for South Dakota families.