Meet Amber Werdel – Common Sense for South Dakota
Wife, Mother, and Conservative Candidate for South Dakota House District 23
I’m not a politician — I’m a South Dakotan who believes in limited government, local control, protecting life, and putting common sense first.
My Story / Who I Am
I’m Amber Werdel, a wife of 19 years and proud mom to a teenage son. For over 20 years I’ve worked at the same locally owned company in Miller, starting at the bottom and working my way up to Executive Director. My husband is a rancher on our family farm that has been in operation since 1912.
I currently serve as Vice President of the Miller School Board, Chairman of the Hand County GOP, and I’ve taught CCD for years at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. The older I get, the more I feel called to give back to our community in a meaningful way — that’s why I’m running.
Why Run — My Call to Service
When Scott Moore chose not to seek re-election, party leaders looked for someone who would uphold the U.S. Constitution, the South Dakota Constitution, and the SDGOP platform — someone who would represent the people of District 23, not special interests.
I never saw myself running for state office, but what I bring is real-life experience: listening carefully, researching thoroughly, managing effectively, and making sound, common-sense decisions rooted in conservative principles.
My Priorities & Values
- Pro-Life from Conception: I’m personally thankful my birth mother chose life and adoption — otherwise I wouldn’t be here today.
- Pro-Family Farm & Property Rights: District 23 is built on agriculture. What you own should stay yours. No government or company should take private land without the owner’s full consent.
- Local Control of Schools: Parents and locally elected school boards — not bureaucrats in Pierre — should decide what our children learn.
- Supporting Rural South Dakota: Good roads, reliable broadband, and the infrastructure our farms and small towns need — all while keeping taxes low and making government live within its means.
- Strong Second Amendment: Guns and ammo are a solid investment. I will always defend our constitutional right to keep and bear arms.
- Limited Government & Common Sense: I’m not promising flashy new bills. I promise to show up, listen to you, and bring your concerns and priorities to Pierre.
My Pledge to District 23
If elected, the concerns of District 23 families, farmers, and ranchers will become my agenda. I will fight for limited government, strong families, protected life, and the values that make South Dakota great — every single day, with common sense first.
Personal Story
South Dakota Is Home
I was born in Portland, Oregon, to a brave 15-year-old who chose adoption so I could have a wonderful life. I was blessed to be adopted by loving parents. We spent several of my formative years in Myrtle Creek, Oregon, where my mom and dad owned and operated their own funeral home. From a young age I learned compassion, hard work, and the importance of serving families during difficult times.
We moved back to South Dakota after my parents retired, and I graduated from Miller High School in 1999. Just two years later, in 2001, my father was tragically taken . That loss shook my foundation and took me through hard times at first, but it ultimately drove me toward greater resilience, deeper faith, and a determination to make every day count.
South Dakota raised me, and it’s where I’ve chosen to build my life.
Life on the Ranch
While in high school I met my husband. We dated, stayed connected, and married in 2007. He is my partner in life — he’s the boss in our family, and I’m the one cooking meals when the vet shows up.
He is a 4th-generation rancher on land that has been in his family since 1912. They run a feedlot operation, which brings real challenges — market swings, long hours, and the daily work it takes to keep a multi-generation family business strong. But it also brings deep rewards: teaching the next generation responsibility, stewardship, and the satisfaction of hard work (even the dreaded picking rocks!).
Most evenings we sit down together for supper and always say the prayer before meals. “The family that prays together stays together.” Marrying a rancher means I’m not going anywhere — and I’m grateful for every mile we’ve traveled together.
Career & Community Service
For twenty years I’ve worked for the same locally owned small business in Miller, starting at entry level and growing into the role of Executive Director. Even though I don’t work in the field of my degree, my career has been a true blessing. I’ve traveled extensively across our great country, and those experiences only strengthened my appreciation for South Dakota. They confirmed what I’ve always known: we live in the greatest state, where it is safe and free.
I’ve been surrounded by strong, accomplished women as role models — including my boss — who showed me what dedication and leadership look like. Those lessons guided me to give back in meaningful ways. As Vice President of the Miller School Board, I serve on several sub-committees, including the Policy Committee, making sure our policies reflect our values.
In 2023 I decided to get more involved in politics, attended our local GOP meeting, and eventually was voted in as Hand County GOP Chairman. I’ve also had the joy of teaching CCD for years at St. Ann’s Catholic Church — some days I learn just as much as the kids!
Faith & Family
One of the greatest blessings in my life is my Catholic faith, which I continue to learn and understand more each day. I was raised Catholic, but like so many young people, I drifted away for a time. As I grew older and faced real life, I found my way back — and I’m very grateful I did.
Faith has helped strengthen my foundation.
Over the years, voices like Charlie Kirk have helped me connect the Bible’s teachings with the values we hold dear — especially the sanctity of life from conception. That deeper understanding strengthened my convictions and my desire to serve.
I’m thankful for the opportunity to meet my birth mother many years ago. We see each other every year, and she and her family are an extension to our family. My husband's extended family is quite large, while I grew up as an only child.
Watching our son grow up, staying close with family, and serving our community through the school board and teaching CCD at St. Ann’s reminds me daily why strong faith and strong families matter so much.
I will always stand for life at conception, defend property rights and family farms, uphold the Constitution, and bring common sense to Pierre.
Answering the Call for District 23
I hope that you’ve gained a better sense of what life events have shaped my values. Every chapter has prepared me for this moment.
I’m not a career politician. I’m not even a perfect “on paper” candidate. I’m a wife, mom, and neighbor who has lived a real life and overcome real challenges — and who believes deeply in putting the priorities of District 23 families and farms first.
If you want steady, principled representation grounded in common sense, I would be truly grateful for your support on June 2nd.