SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- Mayor Paul TenHaken will not support the Democratic gubernatorial ticket that contains his former mayoral campaign committee co-chair Michelle Lavallee.
Democrat governor nominee Billie Sutton selected, and the Democratic State Convention confirmed Lavallee, who until a few weeks ago was a Republican, as Sutton's running mate as lieutenant governor.
Lavallee, a Sioux Falls businesswoman, co-chaired the successful TenHaken campaign with Dave Rozenboom.
"My support for governor is with Kristi Noem," TenHaken wrote in an email to KELO.com News. "She is also a great friend and we share similar values and policy ideas to move Sioux Falls and South Dakota forward."
TenHaken also says Lavallee is "a very good friend and has a tremendous heart for the people of South Dakota."
Noem is the Republican nominee for governor and the state's U.S. Representative. She defeated Attorney General Marty Jackley in the primary earlier this month. She has not named her running mate yet. The GOP meets in Pierre next week at their state convention to confirm her pick and select other candidates for statewide office.
TenHaken defeated Jolene Loetscher in the Mayoral run-off election in May. TenHaken and Loetscher beat four others in the general city election in April.
"I am proud to see such strong female leadership stepping up to serve the people of South Dakota," TenHaken concluded in his email.