Zokaites Launches Bold Campaign for Sioux Falls Mayor: A Vision for Practical, Caring, and Honest Leadership
l3wis 
Press Release | April 18, 2025 | by David Zokaites DavidZokaitesMayor@gmail.com | 605-251-0691
2215 E. Mulberry St. | Sioux Falls, SD 57103-0536
The race has begun—and David Zokaites is leading the charge.
David Zokaites is officially the first and only candidate to declare his bid for the 2026 Sioux Falls mayoral race—and he’s not just tossing his hat into the ring, he’s coming in with fire, focus, and a future-forward vision for the city we love. He’s the only candidate so far to register a campaign committee with the city clerk, making his run not only the first—but the boldest.
For more than a decade, Zokaites has been laser-focused on local government. He’s spoken at City Council meetings a jaw-dropping 190 times, presenting deeply researched ideas on everything from tackling homelessness and addiction to planting more trees and strengthening police training. When others stayed silent, Zokaites stood up—for transparency, for solutions, and for people.
Born near Pittsburgh, Zokaites holds a Bachelor of Science from RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) and built a career in scientific computing, digital imaging, and database management. His technical mind, paired with a passion for community, has led him to treat politics like systems engineering: “Understand the process. Fix the process.”
His mission? A government that truly serves “We the People.”
Zokaites believes our leaders must honor the Constitution and fight for the “Blessings of Liberty” for every generation. That means civil rights protected, compassion practiced, and police equipped to serve with both strength and understanding. He doesn’t just talk the talk—he walked into federal court without a lawyer in a 2019 civil rights lawsuit, standing against city government to defend personal freedom and public accountability. He’s gearing up to file another lawsuit addressing false arrest, injuries from handcuffing, and inhumane jail conditions—because justice shouldn’t require a fortune to pursue.
And at the heart of his campaign? Compassion.
An Eagle Scout, Zokaites has policies that echo the teachings of Jesus—caring for the downtrodden, housing the homeless, and offering practical solutions that benefit everyone, including taxpayers. He proposes zoning reforms to reduce construction costs and make housing more affordable, especially for young adults starting out. It’s smart. It’s fair. And it doesn’t cost the city a dime.
Zokaites doesn’t just bring policy—he brings heart.
In 1998, he co-won the JCPenney Golden Rule Award for teaching karate to kids in a local school. They learned to fall, to fly, and to believe in themselves. That spirit—of teaching, empowering, and uplifting—infuses everything he brings to Sioux Falls.
Now, he’s ready to serve.
With energy. With integrity. With bold ideas and a backbone of steel.
“I want to create practical, caring, honest government to help all the citizens of Sioux Falls,” Zokaites declares. And he means all—rich or poor, young or old, struggling or thriving.
Let’s build a city that works—for everyone.
P.S. True to form, Zokaites adds a moment of beauty to every message. This release features a serene “Enjoy Sioux Falls” landscape by his daughter Elizabeth—an artist, writer, and entrepreneur—reminding us that even in the fight for better governance, we should always remember to appreciate the world we’re working to improve.
