03/26/2026
Rod Bradley Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Sturgis
STURGIS, S.D. — Sturgis native, business owner, and former city and county elected official Rod Bradley today announced his candidacy for Mayor of Sturgis. The position became vacant when Mayor Kevin Forrester resigned this week due to health concerns. Mayor Forrester’s term runs through 2028.
Bradley said the decision to run was deeply personal.
“I want to thank Mayor Forrester for his relentless service to the City of Sturgis over the years. Through his leadership, the city council and staff have made significant strides in improving the operation of the city as well as the financial stability of the city budget, all while implementing the transition to a city administrator form of government. Mayor Forrester asked me to run and fill this role for the remainder of his term, and I plan to honor that for him. I will connect with the city council and staff to continue the progress being made in Sturgis,” Bradley said.
Bradley added that he is prepared to serve in whatever capacity the council needs in the interim.
“I have a lot of respect for each member of this council, and I am willing to serve as interim mayor if the council decides I can help city staff keep the progress being made in Sturgis going until a new mayor is elected.”
Bradley brings a resume that is both deep in civic experience and grounded in real-world business and finance. He was elected to the Sturgis City Council in 2015 and to the Meade County Commission in 2018, successfully serving out both terms. He holds a Master’s Degree in Professional Accounting from the University of Nebraska Omaha and has held corporate finance positions with large companies, giving him the financial literacy to support sound, responsible municipal management.
Born and raised in Sturgis, Bradley is a graduate of Sturgis Brown High School. He and his wife, Cassie, own and operate businesses on Main Street and have completed multiple redevelopment projects in the community, including the Hotel Sturgis, a 22-room boutique hotel, and the Trailhead neighborhood subdivision near Vanocker Canyon. A recent inductee into the South Dakota Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Rod has contributed to the Sturgis wrestling program throughout his life. Last fall, he and Cassie also built a batting cage for the Sturgis baseball and softball programs. Together, Rod and Cassie are committed to building a Sturgis that gives the next generation of kids in this community every reason to stay, grow, and thrive here.
“Sturgis is the best place to live and raise a family. Sturgis needs a mayor with a financial education and background along with business experience who will roll up his sleeves and go to work to continue all of the great improvements being made in our town. I look forward to serving this great community as Mayor of Sturgis, and I appreciate all the support on June 2nd,” Bradley said.
The special election for Mayor of Sturgis is scheduled for June 2, 2026. Rod Bradley asks for your vote and your support.
