Jesse Batson

SDSU graduate Vernon Brown threw his hat into the Sioux Falls mayoral election last week.

The broadcast journalism major is one of an expanding number of candidates on the April 11 ballot.

Brown, 38, has a bachelor of arts degree in the broadcast sequence of the journalism department.

Since graduating in 1990, Brown has maintained strong ties with SDSU by giving presentations for Intro to Mass Communication classes and other events.

It was during his time on the Collegian staff, working for the state and local section, that first got Brown interested in government and politics.

After 12 years of covering government – from the state legislature to the national legislation – with KELO television in Sioux Falls, Brown feels he’s prepared to take on the challenge of being Sioux Falls mayor.

“It gave me access to decision matters,” Brown said. “It was a great window to see into.”

Brown has been working as a business executive for SDN Communications for the past four years.

Jim Paulson, journalism professor, remembers Brown as a student.

“I think he’s a really legitimate candidate” said Paulson. “I think he’ll probably do well.”