Leslie Gerrish

Leslie Gerrish earned a high school diploma from Terre Haute North Vigo High School, a bachelor's degree from Purdue University in 2003, and a graduate degree from Indiana University in 2012. Her career experience includes working as a business owner.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a small business owner, a breast cancer survivor, the United Way of Vermillion Board President, and mom of two. My husband Ed and I have lived in Vermillion for over a decade, and we quickly fell in love with our little corner of South Dakota.

I have a master's degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University, and have worked in corporate and nonprofit events for over 20 years. I’ve planned events around the world for audiences ranging from 10 to 5,000 people, managing budgets, logistics, clients, and the unexpected challenges.

And I know how to pivot. My husband and I adopted our older daughter, and when she was just four days old, I found out I was pregnant. If that doesn’t demonstrate the ability to adapt quickly, I’m not sure what does! But perhaps the most important thing I’ve learned through all of these experiences is how I want to lead.

I often tell my children that we should always be kind. But being kind doesn’t mean we don’t stand up for what we believe in. It doesn’t mean we are weak, or that we shy away when things get tough. In fact, I believe leading with kindness makes us stronger. It allows us to listen, work with others, and tackle difficult problems without losing sight of who we are.

At the end of the day, I want to be able to put my head on the pillow knowing I worked hard, treated people well, and stood up for what I believe is right.

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?

The main reason I am running for legislature is because I believe we need to focus on productive legislation. The people of District 17 and all South Dakotans, deserve leadership that is focused on solving problems and delivering results. Too often, we see leaders celebrate half-finished work while the challenges facing our communities remain unresolved. We have real work to do, and I am ready to roll up my sleeves and do it.I believe we must invest in ourselves, and at the top of that list is an investment in public education. I believe we should not just adequately fund public schools, but we need to appropriately fund them. Every child, no matter of socioeconomic status or ability deserves the very best education possible. Public dollars should stay in public school. Our teacher may must increase. This is not a matter of funding as it is a matter of priorities. And Education is my priority.I believe in local control, and not just when I like the type of local control. This has come to the forefront when we discuss property taxes and hyperscale data centers.

The current legislature's economic solutions start and end with the sales tax. We need to give our counties more options as they manage their budgets. We need to give them actual solutions, not just bandaids that hurt our most vulnerable.

I am in favor a year moratorium on hyperscale data centers in the state so we are able to do true research and come up with robust guidelines. I also believe that if counties and local communities must have those guidelines set as well, and we can work together on the best ordinances to protect our water and resources.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about listening to South Dakotans and legislating in a responsible, productive way. My priority is making sure access to healthcare is not decreased, especially for our most vulnerable neighbors. Education and elder care are also at the top of my list. We must invest in the people and communities that allow us to take care of one another.

That also means pursuing an economic policy that works for everyone: families, workers, seniors, and small businesses across South Dakota.