Meet Sonja

BACKGROUND

Sonja Mentzer with long brown hair wearing a black blazer over a white shirt standing on a bridge with brown railings, outdoors with trees and sky in the background.

Born and raised in South Dakota, I graduated high school on the shores of the beautiful Missouri River in Chamberlain. I received my bachelor's degree in Business Management with a minor in Economics from South Dakota State University.

After graduation, I moved to Minneapolis for two years, but when it came time to buy a house and have children, it was time to move home to South Dakota, and I have lived in western Sioux Falls ever since. I worked as General Manager with McDonald’s for five years and have been the Director of Operations at Wheelchair Express, a handicapped-accessible transportation company, for the last 17 years. 

I have two beautiful children: a son, a US Marine stationed in California, and a teenage daughter attending Roosevelt High School.

“Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”

-Ruth Bader Ginsberg

Strong community involvement has always been important to me. I stay active in my neighborhood association, serve on the Kingswood Rummage Sale board, and look for ways to give back and stay connected to the people around me.

I’m proud to live in a community of hard-working, caring people who look out for one another and want to build an even better future for their children and families.

MY WHY

A woman with long brown hair smiling, flanked by two young people, a boy with short dark hair and a girl with long wavy hair, standing outdoors in a wooded area with trees and sunlight.

I have been active in politics for a while, helping out on other people's campaigns, and the time was right for me to step in now. 

It is easy to stand by and be critical of those in elected positions, and I realized that I can make a difference, I can be the change I see needed.

MY VALUES 

A woman with shoulder-length gray hair wearing a black blazer over a pink blouse, smiling and standing in front of a plain gray wall.

  • Hard work - I work hard and expect the same out of the others around me

  • Service to others - in giving back at every opportunity - some of my favorite volunteer opportunities have been through Feeding South Dakota, Lunch is Served, Sioux Falls Humane Society, and five years as a Sunday School teacher. 

  • Integrity - Staying committed to my morals and the truth. 

  • Compassion - Helping others overcome obstacles they encounter.

  • Kindness - Exercising generosity and consideration of those around me. 

  • Gratitude - I appreciate my life and those around me and this life I have been afforded.