STURGIS, S.D. – Angela Wilkerson, who served as mayor of Sturgis for just over seven months, has resigned from that position saying she won’t let attacks on her hurt the residents of Sturgis or city staff.
“The relentless undermining and attacks on me have only caused further damage to our community. At this point I feel as though my staying in this position will cause more harm than good to our community as these attacks would undoubtedly continue with complete disregard for any casualties,” Wilkerson said.
Wilkerson was vice president of the Sturgis City Council representing Ward 1 when she was chosen by the city council to serve the remaining term of former Mayor Mark Carstensen who resigned in February.
“When we lost our mayor in February of 2024, we were bound by state law to appoint a new mayor. Already in the midst of a huge transition with no city manager, I was willing to take on the role due to a sense of duty, a duty I felt to the citizens of Sturgis, a duty I felt to city staff, a duty I felt to keep my promise as a member of City Council,” she said.
Since that time, she has hit roadblock after roadblock she says were placed in her path by a new council majority.
“Unfortunately, since the new council was seated in May of 2024, I’ve been prevented from the ability to successfully perform the duties expected of a
Mayor,” she said. “The refusal to make the mayor position full -time, with no city administrator in place, putting unreasonable expectations on a part -time mayor, the loss of key city staff members, the attempts to remove access to legal counsel. the unwillingness to recruit for the best possible candidates for the city’s open key positions, along with the relentless undermining and attacks on me have only caused further damage to our community.”
Wilkerson said that after much prayer and support, she made the decision to resign effective immediately.
“Thank you to those who trusted me with this great responsibility and for knowing that I have always had our community’s best interest at heart,” she said.
You can read the Mayor’s Resignation Letter below:
