2025 Sanborn County Director Candidates
Current Director Todd Van Walleghen of Letcher is not seeking reelection after 15 years of dedicated board service. That means Sanborn County members will elect a new director at their District 8 Meeting on the evening of Thursday, May 22, 2025. The official notice will be mailed 10 to 25 days before the meeting.
Donald Klinkner of Artesian and Jeremy White of Letcher both turned in valid petitions for the Sanborn County Director position. Below, you can read more information that was provided by each candidate.
Candidate Donald Klinkner
Donald Klinkner of Artesian expressed that he is interested in serving on the Central Electric Board of Directors to continue to promote and support the cooperative as our main source of affordable electric energy.
Klinkner worked as a self-employed farmer and rancher in the area for most of his life and is now retired.
He is a founding member of the Community Improvement Association of Artesian. He's also involved with the Prairie Village Board, Sanborn County Soil Conservation Board and the South Dakota Conservation Board. Klinkner holds a bachelor's degree from South Dakota State University.
Klinkner and his wife, Karen, have three children, eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Candidate Jeremy White
Jeremy White of Letcher expressed that he is interested in serving on the Central Electric Board of Directors because serving others is a deep-rooted aspect of his background.
White served full-time in the U.S. Air Force from 2001-2021, eventually earning the title of Airborne System Engineer, among other roles. He currently works as a Realtor, auctioneer and property manager. He also works part-time as a farm hand.
White has served on the executive committee for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization, he volunteers for the Letcher Fire Department and his local church, he is active with the Letcher American Legion and he is the Senior Vice Commander for VFW Post 2750 in Mitchell. White holds a master's degree in business administration from Dakota Wesleyan University, a bachelor's degree in business from Bellevue University and a degree in information technology from Community College of the Air Force.
White and his wife, Jessica, have three children.