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Terrence Davis

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Secretary of State

2026 South Dakota Secretary of State — General Election · November 3, 2026

Published evidence-backed profile

Official filing status and all displayed profile fields are shown with retained source evidence. Final ballot placement remains explicitly pending.

Last reviewed September 16, 2026

Overview

Current race
2026 South Dakota Secretary of State — General Election on November 3, 2026
VerifiedSource: South Dakota Secretary of State
Official candidacy
Secretary of State · Democratic · Candidate
VerifiedOfficial records: South Dakota Secretary of State
Identity match
Identity verified in official records
VerifiedSource: South Dakota Secretary of State

Policy statements from campaign-controlled sources are labeled candidate positions; they are not independently presented as proven outcomes.

View exact official filing textExact evidence retained

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

South Dakota Secretary of State — 2026 General Election Candidate List

Contest: Secretary of State

Candidate: Terrence Davis

Party: Democratic

Petition or convention filing date: 2026-06-11

Ballot order: 3

Status: Active

Official and campaign contacts

Only contact details published in official filing records, FEC filings, or a verified candidate-owned source with retained exact evidence appear here.

Publication here means only that the contact detail appeared in the cited filing. It is not an endorsement, and older filings may remain visible until an amended official record is captured.

Experience

Verified records and candidate-provided claims are labeled separately.

Reason for running:

Source-published biography

My story is one of resilience and transformation. Born in Peoria, Illinois, and raised in challenging circumstances, I overcame obstacles that some can relate to—homelessness and the difficulties of navigating life in a low-income environment. Through the support of my foster mother and my determination, I carved a path forward, eventually enrolling in college as a non-traditional student. I earned my degree in Criminal Justice and later pursued a master’s degree in Public Policy. I am now privileged to pursue a doctoral degree in Law and Policy.

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The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

My story is one of resilience and transformation. Born in Peoria, Illinois, and raised in challenging circumstances, I overcame obstacles that some can relate to—homelessness and the difficulties of navigating life in a low-income environment. Through the support of my foster mother and my determination, I carved a path forward, eventually enrolling in college as a non-traditional student. I earned my degree in Criminal Justice and later pursued a master’s degree in Public Policy. I am now privileged to pursue a doctoral degree in Law and Policy.

Reason for running:

Source-published biography

Professionally, my family and I have dedicated our lives to public service. I served as a police officer and a state trooper in two different states. I became a Tennessee State Trooper assigned to the Memphis District. I served on the Governor’s Security Detail, where I had the honor of providing protective services for top-level state and federal VIPs. After several years of service in Tennessee, we decided to move to South Dakota, where I continued to serve as a State Trooper, assigned to the Sioux Falls district.

Read exact supporting textExact evidence retained

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Professionally, my family and I have dedicated our lives to public service. I served as a police officer and a state trooper in two different states. I became a Tennessee State Trooper assigned to the Memphis District. I served on the Governor’s Security Detail, where I had the honor of providing protective services for top-level state and federal VIPs. After several years of service in Tennessee, we decided to move to South Dakota, where I continued to serve as a State Trooper, assigned to the Sioux Falls district.

Reason for running:

Source-published biography

In my private life, I am a husband and father. My wife is a dedicated public-school teacher with over 20 years of experience, and my son attends the same school where she teaches. Our family has found a home here in South Dakota, and we are proud to be part of this community. When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, road cycling, caring for our pet chicken, and traveling.

Read exact supporting textExact evidence retained

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

In my private life, I am a husband and father. My wife is a dedicated public-school teacher with over 20 years of experience, and my son attends the same school where she teaches. Our family has found a home here in South Dakota, and we are proud to be part of this community. When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, road cycling, caring for our pet chicken, and traveling.

Positions and priorities

A position shows what the candidate said—not FactVote's endorsement.

Each summary is supported by the candidate's own words from a campaign source, direct candidate response, or official primary record retained with the profile.

Democracy, ethics, and the rule of law

Candidate position

I am committed to offering more efficient and accessible services by modernizing our division’s operations and systems. As the needs of our communities evolve, it’s essential that we, as South Dakotans, embrace innovation and streamline processes to reduce barriers, save time, and enhance the user experience. This modernization effort will ensure that both the public and lawmakers receive accurate, timely, and responsive support.

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The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

I am committed to offering more efficient and accessible services by modernizing our division’s operations and systems. As the needs of our communities evolve, it’s essential that we, as South Dakotans, embrace innovation and streamline processes to reduce barriers, save time, and enhance the user experience. This modernization effort will ensure that both the public and lawmakers receive accurate, timely, and responsive support.

Taxes, economy, workers, agriculture, and affordability

Candidate position

Businesses and nonprofits play a key role in strengthening our communities by providing stable jobs, essential services, and opportunities that help reduce crime and support economic growth. I’m committed to supporting both current and future business leaders as they work to create a more resilient and prosperous future for all South Dakotans.

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The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Businesses and nonprofits play a key role in strengthening our communities by providing stable jobs, essential services, and opportunities that help reduce crime and support economic growth. I’m committed to supporting both current and future business leaders as they work to create a more resilient and prosperous future for all South Dakotans.

Democracy, ethics, and the rule of law

Candidate position

I will fight for a policy that enhances voter registration efforts, allowing 16-year-old licensed drivers to pre-register to vote, with automatic registration taking effect once they turn 18, for all South Dakotans.

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The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

I will fight for a policy that enhances voter registration efforts, allowing 16-year-old licensed drivers to pre-register to vote, with automatic registration taking effect once they turn 18, for all South Dakotans.

Democracy, ethics, and the rule of law

Candidate position

I will fight for establishing an Investigative Division inside the South Dakota Secretary of State’s office, dedicated to investigating fraudulent activities.

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The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

I will fight for establishing an Investigative Division inside the South Dakota Secretary of State’s office, dedicated to investigating fraudulent activities.

Reason for running:

Candidate position

As a citizen of South Dakota, I respect the unique culture and heritage of this state, and I am committed to serving this state with dedication and humility. I stand firm in my conviction that all South Dakotans deserve fair representation by officials who listen, act with integrity, and prioritize the needs of their constituents. I am running for Secretary of State to serve with transparency, protect voting rights, and ensure the systems that uphold our democracy for everyone.

Read exact supporting textExact evidence retained

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

As a citizen of South Dakota, I respect the unique culture and heritage of this state, and I am committed to serving this state with dedication and humility. I stand firm in my conviction that all South Dakotans deserve fair representation by officials who listen, act with integrity, and prioritize the needs of their constituents. I am running for Secretary of State to serve with transparency, protect voting rights, and ensure the systems that uphold our democracy for everyone.

Administer Elections With Integrity and Transparency

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Goal / Priority

Administer voting rights and electoral processes transparently, ethically, and honestly so every eligible voice is heard.

  • Protect fair representation across South Dakota.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Terrence Davis campaign

Support Businesses and Nonprofits

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Goal / Priority

Support current and future business and nonprofit leaders through Secretary of State services.

  • Help organizations create jobs and strengthen communities.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Terrence Davis campaign

Pre-Register Licensed Drivers at Age Sixteen

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Policy

Allow licensed sixteen-year-olds to pre-register to vote, with registration activating automatically at age eighteen.

  • Expand registration while preserving voting-age eligibility.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Terrence Davis campaign

Create a Secretary of State Investigative Division

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Policy

Create an investigative division within the Secretary of State's office dedicated to fraudulent activity.

  • Centralize appropriate fraud inquiries.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Terrence Davis campaign

Modernize Secretary of State Operations

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Policy

Modernize office systems, streamline processes, and provide accurate, timely, accessible service to the public and lawmakers.

  • Reduce administrative barriers and save users time.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Terrence Davis campaign

Public record

Executive public-record methodology

Executive public-record methodology

An executive record will attach only from official orders, directives, vetoes, signed actions, legal filings, or direct official statements that explicitly attribute the action to this person. Agency outcomes and events during an administration are not inferred as personal actions.

Campaign finance

Official filings may be amended after publication.

Current campaign-finance summary unavailable

South Dakota's official campaign-finance search is linked. No amount attaches until one exact candidate or committee identity, compatible 2026 election, reporting period, and amendment state are captured. Missing values are not zero.

Open Federal Election Commission record ↗

Research boundary

Claims that did not clear the publication standard remain visibly excluded.

Complete person-level public-action archive

Not published

Reason: NO_STABLE_ELIGIBLE_PUBLIC_RECORD_IDENTITY_ATTACHED

Names and candidate-stated prior service alone never attach another person's records.

Sources

Every profile claim points back to retained source evidence.

  1. Election record

    2026 South Dakota general-election candidate record — Terrence Davis

    South Dakota Secretary of State

    Open South Dakota Secretary of State
  2. Candidate-owned primary source

    Terrence Davis — candidate-owned primary source 1

    Terrence Davis campaign

    Open Terrence Davis campaign

    Link checked September 15, 2026.

  3. Candidate-owned primary source

    Terrence Davis — candidate-owned primary source 2

    Terrence Davis campaign

    Open Terrence Davis campaign

    Link checked September 15, 2026.

  4. GOVERNMENT_CAMPAIGN_FINANCE_SEARCH

    Terrence Davis — South Dakota campaign-finance disclosure search

    South Dakota Secretary of State

    Open South Dakota Secretary of State
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