Chris Karr

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Chris Karr
Image of Chris Karr

Republican Party

South Dakota State Senate District 11
Tenure

2025 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

0

Prior offices
South Dakota House of Representatives District 11
Elections and appointments
Last elected

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

South Dakota State University

Graduate

University of South Dakota

Personal
Profession
Financial consultant (Accredited Valuation Analyst)
Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Chris Karr (Republican Party) is a member of the South Dakota State Senate, representing District 11. He assumed office on January 14, 2025. His current term ends on January 12, 2027.

Karr (Republican Party) ran for election to the South Dakota State Senate to represent District 11. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Karr began serving as Senate pro tempore on January 15, 2025.[1]

Biography

Karr's professional experience includes working as a business owner and financial consultant. He earned his B.S. in business economics and MBA from South Dakota State University.[2]

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at:editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023-2024

Karr was assigned to the following committees:

2021-2022

Karr was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

Karr was assigned to the following committees:

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

South Dakota committee assignments, 2017
• Appropriations
• Appropriations

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2024

See also: South Dakota State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for South Dakota State Senate District 11

Chris Karr defeated Steve Natz in the general election for South Dakota State Senate District 11 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Chris Karr
Chris Karr (R)
 
62.0
 
3,642
Image of Steve Natz
Steve Natz (D) Candidate Connection
 
38.0
 
2,233

There were no incumbents in this race. Source

Total votes: 5,875
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Steve Natz advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota State Senate District 11.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Chris Karr advanced from the Republican primary for South Dakota State Senate District 11.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Karr in this election.

2022

See also: South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 (2 seats)

Brian Mulder and incumbent Chris Karr defeated Margaret Kuipers and Kimberly Parke in the general election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Brian Mulder
Brian Mulder (R) Candidate Connection
 
29.0
 
4,988
✔
Image of Chris Karr
Chris Karr (R)
 
28.4
 
4,879
Image of Margaret Kuipers
Margaret Kuipers (D) Candidate Connection
 
22.0
 
3,775
Image of Kimberly Parke
Kimberly Parke (D) Candidate Connection
 
20.7
 
3,553

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 17,195
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 (2 seats)

Margaret Kuipers and Kimberly Parke defeated Stephanie Marty in the Democratic primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 on June 7, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Margaret Kuipers
Margaret Kuipers Candidate Connection
 
35.2
 
766
✔
Image of Kimberly Parke
Kimberly Parke Candidate Connection
 
34.0
 
741
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Stephanie Marty
 
30.8
 
670

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 2,177
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 (2 seats)

Incumbent Chris Karr and Brian Mulder defeated Roger Russell and Tyler Bonynge in the Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 on June 7, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Chris Karr
Chris Karr
 
35.6
 
1,334
✔
Image of Brian Mulder
Brian Mulder Candidate Connection
 
32.8
 
1,230
Image of Roger Russell
Roger Russell Candidate Connection
 
26.8
 
1,006
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Tyler Bonynge
 
4.8
 
181

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 3,751
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2020

See also: South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 (2 seats)

Incumbent Chris Karr and incumbent Mark Willadsen defeated Sheryl Johnson and Margaret Kuipers in the general election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Chris Karr
Chris Karr (R)
 
29.3
 
7,253
✔
Image of Mark Willadsen
Mark Willadsen (R)
 
29.0
 
7,172
Image of Sheryl Johnson
Sheryl Johnson (D)
 
23.8
 
5,900
Image of Margaret Kuipers
Margaret Kuipers (D)
 
17.9
 
4,429

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 24,754
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Sheryl Johnson and Margaret Kuipers advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Chris Karr and incumbent Mark Willadsen advanced from the Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11.

2018

See also: South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 (2 seats)

Incumbent Mark Willadsen and incumbent Chris Karr defeated Sheryl Johnson and Margaret Kuipers in the general election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Mark Willadsen
Mark Willadsen (R)
 
28.8
 
5,436
✔
Image of Chris Karr
Chris Karr (R)
 
27.7
 
5,227
Image of Sheryl Johnson
Sheryl Johnson (D)
 
23.6
 
4,450
Image of Margaret Kuipers
Margaret Kuipers (D)
 
20.0
 
3,769

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 18,882
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 (2 seats)

Sheryl Johnson and Margaret Kuipers advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
✔
Image of Sheryl Johnson
Sheryl Johnson
✔
Image of Margaret Kuipers
Margaret Kuipers

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 (2 seats)

Incumbent Chris Karr and incumbent Mark Willadsen advanced from the Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
✔
Image of Chris Karr
Chris Karr
✔
Image of Mark Willadsen
Mark Willadsen

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the South Dakota House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 29, 2016. Incumbent Jim Stalzer (R) did not seek re-election.

Chris Karr and incumbent Mark Willadsen defeated Leona Wieland and Paul Schipper in the South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 general election.[3][4]

South Dakota House of Representatives, District 11 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.png Chris Karr 31.92% 6,422
     Republican Green check mark transparent.png Mark Willadsen Incumbent 30.36% 6,109
     Democratic Leona Wieland 20.42% 4,108
     Democratic Paul Schipper 17.31% 3,483
Total Votes 20,122
Source: South Dakota Secretary of State


Paul Schipper and Mary Claus were unopposed in the South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 Democratic primary.[5][6]

South Dakota House of Representatives, District 11 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Paul Schipper
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Mary Claus


Incumbent Mark Willadsen and Chris Karr defeated Dave Landry in the South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 Republican primary.[5][6]

South Dakota House of Representatives, District 11 Republican Primary, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.png Mark Willadsen Incumbent 35.31% 632
     Republican Green check mark transparent.png Chris Karr 33.97% 608
     Republican Dave Landry 30.73% 550
Total Votes 1,790

2012

See also: South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2012

Karr ran in the 2012 election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11. Karr and incumbent Mark Willadsen were defeated by Christine M. Erickson and Jim Stalzer in the Republican primary on June 5. Jim Larson and Darrell D. Solberg ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. The general election took place on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Lora Hubbel (R) is running for State Senate in District 11.[7][8]

South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 Republican Primary, 2012
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngChristine M. Erickson 31.2% 529
Green check mark transparent.pngJim Stalzer 26.4% 447
Mark K Willadesen Incumbent 21.4% 362
Chris Karr 21.1% 357
Total Votes 1,695

2010

See also: South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2010

Karr was a Republican candidate for the District 11 in the South Dakota House of Representatives in the 2010 state legislative elections. Karr was defeated in the Republican primary.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Chris Karr did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Chris Karr did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Chris Karr did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2016

Karr's campaign website highlighted the following issues:

“
  • Small Localized Government
  • Fiscal Conservatism
  • Individual Liberty
  • Families First
  • Free Market Economics
  • Protecting the 2nd Amendment[9]
 ”
—Chris Karr, [10]

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Chris Karr campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* South Dakota State Senate District 11Won general$0 $0
2022South Dakota House of Representatives District 11Won general$18,244 $0
2020South Dakota House of Representatives District 11Won general$19,388 N/A**
2018South Dakota House of Representatives District 11Won general$13,036 N/A**
2016South Dakota House of Representatives, District 11Won $7,430 N/A**
Grand total$58,098 N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in South Dakota

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of South Dakota scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.


2024

In 2024, the South Dakota State Legislature was in session from January 9 to March 26.

Legislators are scored on their stances related to the Rapid City business community.
Legislators are scored on their votes related to business.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.


2023


2022


2021


2020


2019


2018


2017





See also

2024 Elections

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External links

Candidate

South Dakota State Senate District 11
  • Website
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    		•

    Personal

  • Facebook
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    		•

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ South Dakota Legislature, “Senate - 2025" accessed January 15, 2025
    2. ↑ karrforhouse.com, "About Chris Karr," accessed July 1, 2017
    3. ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "2016 General Election Candidate List," accessed August 21, 2016
    4. ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "2016 General Election Official Results State Canvas," accessed May 2, 2017
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 South Dakota Secretary of State, "2016 Primary Election Candidate List," accessed December 18, 2015
    6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 South Dakota Secretary of State, "State primary results," accessed June 7, 2016
    7. ↑ Office of the South Dakota Secretary of State, "2012 Primary Election Candidate List," accessed April 9, 2012
    8. ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "Official Primary Results," June 25, 2012
    9. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    10. ↑ Karr for House, "About," accessed May 18, 2016

    Political offices
    Preceded by
    -     		South Dakota State Senate District 11
    2025-Present    		 Succeeded by
    -
    Preceded by
    -     		South Dakota House of Representatives District 11
    2017-2025    		 Succeeded by
    -


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