The Mayor's Race Is Everyone's Race
Sioux Falls’ Mayoral Candidates at the AARP & DTSF Mayoral Forum on March 24th, 2026.
Last week, AARP and Downtown Sioux Falls hosted a mayoral forum. Big room. Big questions. And even though I'm running for City Council — not Mayor — what happened on that stage matters to every one of us.
I know this because I grew up behind the counter. My parents opened the first Vietnamese restaurant in Sioux Falls in the 90’s. I watched city decisions land on our street — sometimes in our favor, sometimes not. That's the lens I brought to the forum.
Here's what I heard, and what I think it means.
Growth Has to Work for People, Not Just the Numbers
There was a lot of talk about infrastructure. Some candidates want to focus on new development. Others want to revisit what we've already built.
I think we have to do both — and we have to do it with people in mind.
Responsible growth means our roads, schools, and housing keep pace with who's actually moving here. It means a young family looking for their first home can still afford to stay. It means a small business owner doesn't get blindsided by a utility project that shuts off their block for six months without warning.
Planning ahead isn't just smart governance. It's how we keep Sioux Falls the Best Little City in America.
Vibrancy Isn't a "Nice-to-Have"
One of the liveliest moments was about what makes a city worth staying in. Some candidates treat arts and culture as a luxury — something we fund when there's budget left over.
I see it differently.
Roads connect us physically. Arts and culture connect us as people. Lunar Fest. Mural-covered alleyways. A local stage where a kid from any neighborhood can see themselves represented. These aren't decorations. They're the reason young people come back after college. They're the reason families put down roots.
A vibrant community isn't built by accident. It's built by leaders who decide it matters.
Opportunity Has to Reach Every Zip Code
The forum touched on safety and connection — and underneath all of it was the same question I hear at every door I knock on: is Sioux Falls still a place where my family can make it?
My answer is yes. But only if we're intentional about it.
Equal opportunity means a first-generation newcomer with a big dream and a lifelong resident starting over get the same access to city resources, the same clear path to open a business, the same safe sidewalks in their neighborhood. It means we stop treating some corners of this city like they matter less.
That's not just an ideal. It's a policy choice. And it starts with who sits on the City Council.
What Comes Next
The Mayoral race sets the tone for Sioux Falls. But the City Council is where we roll up our sleeves.
I'm running At-Large because I want to represent the whole city — not just the neighborhoods closest to City Hall. And I'm committed to making sure that as Sioux Falls grows, the people who built it and the people who are just getting started here both have a seat at the table.
Absentee voting opens April 17, 2026. Election Day is June 2. Make sure you're registered. Make sure your neighbors know. And if you believe Sioux Falls should work for all of us — not just some of us — I'd be honored to have your support.
It's always been our city, and now is our moment.
Let's rise together. ☀️
— Vince Danh
Candidate, Sioux Falls City Council At-Large A | June 2nd, 2026
vinceforsiouxfalls.com