Dawn Marie Johnson becomes 1st woman of color to join Sioux Falls school board

Dawn Marie Johnson was elected the newest member of the Sioux Falls School District Board of Education on Tuesday.

As of 10:10 p.m. Tuesday, Johnson had secured enough votes (4,193), with 77% of ballots counted, for the Argus Leader to call the race. Opponent Brian Mattson had received 1,689 votes at the time and Nick Zachariasen had received 16 votes. Even if all the remaining ballots were cast for Mattson, Johnson would still be polling ahead.

Once all votes were tallied, Johnson came out on top with 5,405. Mattson brought in 2,226 and Zachariasen received 20.

Johnson said in a statement afterward, she was honored and grateful for the support and trust she was given by those who elected her.

“This victory is not only mine. It is a victory shared with many," Johnson said. "As the first woman of color to serve on the Sioux Falls school board, the weight and significance of that achievement is not lost on me."

Johnson will take Cynthia Mickelson’s seat by July 10, because Mickelson’s term ends June 30. Johnson is currently the director of leadership and culture at the South Dakota Afterschool Network and serves on the district’s Indian Education Parent Committee and the Bridging the Gap Community Foundation Board.

More: Election guide: What to know before you vote May 16 for the Sioux Falls school board

Of the 123,885 registered voters in the district, 7,649 cast ballots in this election, about a 6.16% turnout.

On Wednesday, election officials will review and make determinations on any provisional ballots cast. The election results will be canvassed in the board’s May 22 meeting.

Post-election campaign finance reports are due for each of the candidates by June 27. Johnson will file an elected official financial interest statement 15 days after she takes office.

She said she's excited to start her work within the district.

"I am committed to working hard to fulfill the responsibilities that come with this position," Johnson stated. "Voters have placed faith in me to represent their interests and the interests of our growing community. I want to assure our community that I will work to make sure that every student receives the best possible education and that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely."

Mattson did not respond for requests for comment after the race.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Dawn Marie Johnson takes Sioux Falls school board seat in landslide victory