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Meet the Candidates
The Watertown Current is pleased to provide each of our local candidates with the opportunity to write up to 400 words to describe themselves and the issues they care about. The responses below were written by the candidates themselves, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Watertown Current, our sponsors, or the McQuillen Creative Group.
South Dakota State House of Representatives, District 5
District 5 includes the City of Watertown, Lakes Pelican and Kampeska, and the townships of Elmira, Lake, Pelican and Sheridan
Matt Roby, Republican
Matt Roby, Courtsey Photo
Matt Roby was born in Watertown on May 14, 1984, to Rick and Ann Roby. After graduating from Watertown High School, he went on to obtain Accounting and Economics degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a law degree from the University of St. Thomas.
He began his career in the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office where he represented the state in both criminal and civil matters. He moved home to Watertown in 2013 and began work in the private sector for an insurance firm and as a private practice attorney.
In 2017, he was honored to be appointed as Watertown’s City Attorney. In this role he served as general legal counsel to city officials, prosecuted city offenses, and represented the city in civil matters. He now serves as Vice President for an institutional investment advisory firm.
He and his wife, Stefanie, were married on October 25, 2013. They’ve been blessed with four children – Bennett (9), Griffin (7), Hannah (5), and Sutton (1). The Roby family attends Immaculate Conception Church, and the school-age kids attend Immaculate Conception School. When they aren’t shuttling kids around to various activities, the family enjoys time together taking in all that Watertown has to offer, especially the golf courses, the lakes, the parks, the Watertown Regional Library and the Prairie Lakes Wellness Center.
Outside of work and family, Matt dedicates time to serving the community and state through various non-profit boards, service organizations, and professional associations.
Matt is running for the legislature not as a single-issue candidate, but as a fourth-generation Watertown resident who cares deeply about the future of our area in general. Matt’s principles include limited government, local control, respecting life, protecting our liberties, strong families, and healthy communities. Matt believes in finding common sense, conservative solutions to issues that constituents are facing and doesn’t believe in seeking attention by chasing the latest internet trends.
Matt cares about the big issues we must get right—quality and affordable education, low taxes and effective government, a dynamic economy that creates good jobs, ensuring a strong public safety and criminal justice system, and promoting efforts that address the mental health and addiction crisis. Matt also recognizes the need to continue addressing issues related to housing, childcare, and workforce.
Amy Rambow, Democrat
Amy Rambow, Courtsey Photo
I was born and raised in Watertown, South Dakota—a place that has always been my true home, no matter where life has taken me. While I have lived in Minnesota, Florida, Georgia, and Castlewood, SD, I always found my way back to Watertown, where I work as an insurance agent. My husband Lance and I have been married for 25 wonderful years, and together we have three amazing children: Dylan, Alex and Julian. In the fall of 2025, we will be welcoming our daughter-in-law, Desi, into the family. We are avid campers and love exploring the beautiful landscapes of South Dakota.
For nearly two decades, I have dedicated my time and energy to serving the Watertown community. I have been actively involved in Karing Kapers for 17 years, both as a participant and as a member of the board of directors, where I served as treasurer. In 2019, I founded Watertown Love, a local nonprofit that focuses on mental health and acceptance. This initiative was born out of a tragic event when a local teenager took their own life. I was determined to prevent any other family from experiencing that heartbreak and to create a community that embraces and supports everyone for who they are.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I served as the volunteer coordinator for Watertown Community Cares, where we distributed food boxes to anyone in need for 14 weeks. It was a time of uncertainty, but our community came together, and I was proud to be part of that effort.
As I continue to serve this incredible community, I remain focused on the issues that matter most to the people of South Dakota: supporting our farmers, strengthening education, and promoting acceptance for all who call this state home. These values drive my passion for public service, and I am committed to making sure that South Dakota remains a place where everyone can thrive.
Dr. Josephine Garcia, Republican
Dr. Josephine Garcia, Courtsey Photo
Josephine was born and raised on the East Coast to a German-Irish family where she was one of the youngest out of ten siblings. Josephine received her bachelor’s of nursing from Loyola University, master’s degree in nursing from the University of St. Mary, medical degree from the International University of Health Sciences Medical School, and her doctorate in education leadership from Sentinel University. Josephine is highly driven with a deep desire to serve her community to the utmost of her ability which led her to pursue her advanced degrees. She firmly believes her education has helped her as a trained clinician and advocate for her community.
Josephine moved to Watertown in 2009 shortly after her husband, Dr. Evelio Garcia, started the first free-standing Cardiology Catheterization lab without cardiovascular surgical standby in South Dakota in 2007. This program was one of five in the country demonstrating the Garcia family’s dedication to the community. In 2009 the Garcia’s joined the Immaculate Conception Church community and raised their children in Watertown public and private schools. As her roots grew deeper in the Watertown community, Josephine joined as faculty and eventually director of the Mount Marty Family Nurse Practitioner program where she revamped the curriculum and was instrumental in getting the program accredited which was a huge advancement for the entire state of South Dakota.
Josephine is an entrepreneur who opened two independent healthcare clinics serving the Watertown and Hayti communities. She understands the importance of balancing and budgeting a corporation as well as business prosperity in our District 5 community.
In her downtime, Josephine is a runner and equestrian enthusiast competing in both English and Western horseback riding disciplines. She supports our car community partaking in classic autoshows and community parades.
Diane Drake, Democrat
I grew up in Day County and attended Waubay School. I went to Augustana College, South Dakota State University for my Master’s, the Middlebury Bread Loaf School of English in Vermont, and the University of North Dakota. Education is one of my main reasons for running. I started teaching in Irene, SD and spent 23 years teaching at Northland Tech College in Thief River, Minnesota.
Diane Drake
Some issues of concern for me:
-The need for Universal Health Care
-Free school lunches for public school students
-Freedom for women to make their own health choices
-Stronger environmental policies
-Stronger support for small famers
-The right for elderly to make end of life choices
