Amanda Potter

Amanda Potter earned a high school diploma from Underwood High School, a bachelor's degree from the University of Jamestown in 2001, and a graduate degree from the Sioux Falls Seminary in 2008.

Her career experience includes working as a marketing manager.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in rural North Dakota and attended Jamestown College (now the University of Jamestown) on a full academic scholarship.

After graduating, I taught in public schools for three years before relocating to Sioux Falls to pursue a Master of Divinity at Sioux Falls Seminary. I went on to build a career in marketing/communications, holding roles at Volunteers of America Dakotas and Midco before joining Sanford Health, where I serve as manager of content strategy.

I am a mother and have been active in my community through involvement with Lunch Is Served, Inc. and the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation. I am running for the South Dakota House of Representatives in District 9 as a Democrat.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Education:

South Dakota's kids deserve a strong start. That means fully funding our public schools, expanding access to early childhood education, and making sure every family, no matter their zip code, has access to quality options. As a former public school teacher, a mom, and someone who has time writing grants and telling the stories of nonprofits doing critical work in our communities, I know what it looks like when systems work for families. In District 9, I'll fight to keep public dollars in public schools and work to fully fund schools, support teachers and put students first.Healthcare Access:

Rural healthcare affects us all in South Dakota. I've seen firsthand how gaps in access affect real people, and how a lack of state and federal support is felt in rural clinics and hospitals. I'll advocate for expanding access to care, supporting our rural hospitals and clinics, and making sure that quality healthcare is affordable and accessible for all.Cost of Living:

Families in District 9 are working hard and still feeling squeezed. The costs of groceries, housing, childcare keep climbing while wages struggle to keep up. The state needs to be doing what it can to help families succeed and make sure young people can afford to stay in our state. One example would be to make access to preschool available to families across the state so parents can work and kids can enter school ready to learn. I'm running as a mom and a neighbor in District 9 because working families deserve a representative who will actually fight for them.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Access to quality education, from Pre-K through post-secondary and technical school. Every South Dakotan deserves a strong educational foundation, from early childhood through higher education and technical training.

Energy independence. South Dakota has extraordinary natural assets. We should leverage wind and land to lower energy costs and create good-paying local jobs.

Economic development. Strong communities need strong local economies that keep South Dakotans building their lives here at home.

Safe, healthy communities. Every family deserves to feel secure and supported, with access to healthcare, good schools, and neighbors who look out for each other.