Dennis Daugaard

Last updated

Linda Schmidt
​
(m. 1981)​
Dennis Daugaard
Dennis Daugaard Berlin 2017-03-22.jpg
Daugaard in 2017
32nd Governor of South Dakota
In office
January 8, 2011 –January 5, 2019
Children3
Education University of South Dakota (BS)
Northwestern University (JD)
Signature Dennis Daugaard Signature.svg

Dennis Martin Daugaard (born June 11, 1953) is an American attorney and politician who served as the 32nd governor of South Dakota from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he was the first chief executive of a U.S. state to be the child of deaf parents. [1] [2] [3] Before being elected governor, he was a lawyer, banker, development director for a nonprofit organization; he also served as a state senator from 1997 to 2003 and the 37th lieutenant governor of South Dakota from 2003 to 2011.

Contents

Background, education and family

Dennis Martin Daugaard was born in 1953 and raised on a family farm near Garretson, South Dakota, the son of Florence Margaret (Kennedy) and Raymond Victor Daugaard. [4] Both his parents were deaf. His paternal grandparents were immigrants from Denmark. [5] While Dennis Daugaard was growing up, his family's primary language at home was American Sign Language. [2] Daugaard went to a local one-room country school as a child. For high school, he had to go to the city of Dell Rapids; there he played the French horn. He graduated in 1971. [5]

Daugaard attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion where he was advised by William O. Farber. He graduated from USD in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in government and from Northwestern University School of Law in 1978. [5] Daugaard worked to pay his way through law school as an ASL interpreter, a bus driver, a law clerk and a security guard. [2]

Early career

Daugaard worked as an attorney in Chicago from 1978 to 1981 before returning to South Dakota. He married Linda that year and they have three children: [5] Laura, who is married to Jay Mitchell; Sara, who is married to Tony Venhuizen; and Christopher, who is married to Emily Conway. [6]

Daugaard worked as an executive banker in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, from 1981 to 1990. He then worked for the Children's Home Society of South Dakota, as Development Director from 1990 to 2002 and Executive Director from 2002 to 2009. [5]

Daugaard's first entry into electoral politics came in 1996, when he was elected to the South Dakota State Senate as a Republican. He remained a state senator until he was elected the 37th Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota in 2002 as the running mate of Governor Mike Rounds, a position he held for eight years.

Service as state senator

While serving in the state legislature, Daugaard said his priorities were helping children and the disabled, as well as reducing crime. [7]

South Dakota lieutenant governor

Daugaard was elected lieutenant governor in 2002 and reelected in 2006. As a lieutenant governor, he served as the President of the South Dakota Senate. [5] In addition, he served as the chair of the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, which reviews and makes recommendations regarding South Dakota's worker compensation program.[ citation needed ] While lieutenant governor, Daugaard also fulfilled other duties assigned by the governor and delegated by the state constitution. He served as a member of a commission that dealt with state constitutional amendments and was chairman of a task force that considered options to reduce the number of South Dakotans lacking health insurance.[ citation needed ]

In 2009, Daugaard promoted legislation to establish the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority to promote and manage economic development in Rapid City and other areas surrounding Ellsworth Air Force Base in western South Dakota.[ citation needed ] He has also promoted the Honor Flight program, which honors World War II veterans. [7]

2010 and 2014 gubernatorial campaigns

Governor Dennis Daugaard is briefed on flood preparations Governor Dennis Daugaard is briefed on flood preparations.jpg
Governor Dennis Daugaard is briefed on flood preparations

In 2010 Daugaard ran for the Republican nomination for governor. He won the primary election against several other candidates. Daugaard chose Matt Michels as his running mate. His campaign was led by his son-in-law Tony Venhuizen.

The Daugaard/Michels ticket beat Democratic nominees Scott Heidepriem and Ben Arndt by 61.5% to 38.5% in the November general election. [8] Daugaard was the first child of deaf adults to be elected governor of any state. During his campaign, he stressed that he has often promoted issues affecting the deaf and hard of hearing, and is sympathetic to their children, most of whom are hearing, as he is. [2]

Daugaard and Michels were reelected in 2014.

Daugaard administrations

In 2011, Daugaard established the first Office of Tribal Relations in his cabinet, appointing J.R. LaPlante (Cheyenne River Sioux) as its secretary. No other state government has such an office. LaPlante had a law practice in Vermillion, and had served as the "chief judge and court administrator for the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe in Fort Thompson. In addition, he had served as an administrative officer for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe." [9] He worked with Daugaard to build government-to-government working relationships on issues such as "housing, economic development, public safety, and human services." [9] He used mediation to resolve conflicts, for instance reaching agreement among state, county and tribal officials in Charles Mix County to recognize the Yankton Sioux's historical presence in highway signage. [9] In 2011, Daugaard appointed Dusty Johnson as his chief of staff. In 2014, he appointed his son-in-law and former campaign director Tony Venhuizen as his chief of staff.

According to a Morning Consult poll conducted from May through September 2016, Daugaard was the most popular governor of any U.S. state, with a 74% statewide approval rating. [10] In rankings published in July 2018, he was 5th most popular, with an approval rating of 61%. [11]

On October 23, 2018, Daugaard endorsed Kristi Noem for governor in the imminent election. [12]

Electoral history

South Dakota State Senate 9th District Election, 1996
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanCheck mark 23x20 02.svgDennis Daugaard5,41959.13
DemocraticMark Rogen (inc.)3,74640.87
South Dakota State Senate 9th District Election, 1998
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanCheck mark 23x20 02.svgDennis Daugaard (inc.)4,58162.38
DemocraticMark Anderson2,76337.62
South Dakota State Senate 9th District Election, 2000
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanCheck mark 23x20 02.svgDennis Daugaard (inc.)6,21866.65
DemocraticDonald Beaner3,11133.35
South Dakota Governor Republican Primary Election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanCheck mark 23x20 02.svgDennis Daugaard42,26150.42
RepublicanScott Munsterman14,72617.57
RepublicanDave Knudson13,21815.77
RepublicanGordon Howie10,42612.44
RepublicanKen Knuppe3,1863.80
South Dakota Governor Election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanCheck mark 23x20 02.svgDennis Daugaard195,04661.51
DemocraticScott Heidepriem122,03738.49
South Dakota Governor Republican Primary Election, 2014
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanCheck mark 23x20 02.svgDennis Daugaard (inc.)60,01780.87
RepublicanLora Hubbel14,19619.13
South Dakota Governor Election, 2014
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanCheck mark 23x20 02.svgDennis Daugaard (inc.)195,47770.47
DemocraticSusan Wismer70,54925.43
IndependentMichael Myers11,3774.10

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Governor of South Dakota</span> Head of state and of government of the U.S. state of South Dakota

The governor of South Dakota is the head of government of South Dakota. The governor is elected to a four-year term in even years when there is no presidential election. The current governor is Kristi Noem, a member of the Republican Party who took office on January 5, 2019.

Scott Donald Munsterman is a former mayor of Brookings, South Dakota. Munsterman sought the Republican nomination for governor of South Dakota in the South Dakota gubernatorial election in 2010. In a Republican primary election on June 8, 2010, Munsterman came in second to Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard. Munsterman received 17.6% or 14,733 of the 83,832 ballots cast, approximately one third of the 50% received by Daugaard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 United States House of Representatives election in South Dakota</span>

The 2010 United States House of Representatives election in South Dakota took place on Tuesday, November 2, 2010. Voters selected a representative for their single At-Large district, who run on a statewide ballot. On June 8, 2010, the Republicans nominated Kristi Noem, Assistant Majority Leader of the South Dakota House of Representatives and the Democrats nominated the incumbent Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. In the general election, Noem defeated Herseth Sandlin, winning 48.1 percent of the vote to 45.9 percent for Herseth Sandlin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kristi Noem</span> Governor of South Dakota since 2019

Kristi Lynn Noem is an American politician who became the 33rd governor of South Dakota in 2019. A member of the Republican Party, she was the U.S. representative for South Dakota's at-large congressional district from 2011 to 2019, and a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives for the 6th district from 2007 to 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in South Dakota</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the U.S. state of South Dakota may face some legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in South Dakota, and same-sex marriages have been recognized since June 2015 as a result of Obergefell v. Hodges. State statutes do not address discrimination on account of sexual orientation or gender identity; however, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County established that employment discrimination against LGBT people is illegal under federal law.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brendan Johnson</span> American lawyer

Brendan Van Johnson is an American attorney who served as the 40th United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota. He is the son of former U.S. Senator Tim Johnson and currently is a partner at Robins Kaplan LLP, a business litigation group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Rhoden</span> American politician

Larry Rhoden is an American politician and businessman serving as the 39th lieutenant governor of South Dakota since 2019.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in South Dakota since June 26, 2015 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that the U.S. Constitution guarantees same-sex couples the right to marry. Attorney General Marty Jackley issued a statement critical of the ruling but said South Dakota is obligated to comply and the state would recognize same-sex marriages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marty Jackley</span> American lawyer

Martin J. Jackley is an American attorney and politician who is currently serving as the Attorney General of South Dakota since 2023, having previously served from 2009 to 2019. He assumed office as Attorney General again in 2023 after winning the 2022 election unopposed. He previously served as the 39th United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota. He ran unsuccessfully for Governor of South Dakota in 2018, losing to Kristi Noem.

Gregory J. Stoltenburg is an American lawyer, veteran, and current presiding judge of the Third Judicial Circuit in South Dakota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 South Dakota gubernatorial election</span> Election for the governorship of the U.S. state of South Dakota

The 2018 South Dakota gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the next governor of South Dakota. Incumbent Republican governor Dennis Daugaard was term-limited and could not seek a third consecutive term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States House of Representatives election in South Dakota</span>

The 2018 United States House of Representatives election in South Dakota was held on November 6, to elect the U.S. representative for South Dakota's at-large congressional district. The election coincided with other statewide, legislative, and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 South Dakota elections</span> 2018 general election in US state South Dakota

A general election was held in the U.S. state of South Dakota on November 6, 2018. All of South Dakota's executive officers were up for election as well as South Dakota's at-large seat in the United States House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dusty Johnson</span> American politician (born 1976)

Dustin Michael Johnson is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for South Dakota's at-large congressional district since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he served as South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner from 2005 to 2011, when he was appointed chief of staff to Governor Dennis Daugaard, a position he held until 2014. Between his state political career and congressional service, Johnson was the vice president of Vantage Point Solutions in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Mark E. Salter is an American attorney, veteran, and current Associate Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court, appointed by Governor Dennis Daugaard in 2018. He became the 51st member of the court.

Patricia J. DeVaney is an associate justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court, appointed by Governor Kristi Noem in 2019. She became the 52nd member of the court, succeeding the seat vacated by the death of Justice Steven L. Zinter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Hansen</span> American attorney and legislator

Jon Hansen serves as a representative for the 25th Legislative District in the South Dakota House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party, and the current Speaker pro tempore of the South Dakota House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 South Dakota gubernatorial election</span> Election for the governorship of the U.S. state of South Dakota

The 2022 South Dakota gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, electing the governor of South Dakota. Incumbent Republican governor Kristi Noem defeated Democratic nominee Jamie Smith to win a second term.

Marty Overweg is an American politician and businessman serving as a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from the 19th district. A member of the Republican Party, Overweg assumed office on January 6, 2020 after being nominated by Governor Kristi Noem to succeed Kyle Schoenfish, who was appointed to the State Senate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harold Frazier</span> American politician and tribal leader

Harold C. Frazier is an American politician and tribal leader who is the former Chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, serving in that position since 2014. A member of the Democratic Party, Frazier serves concurrently as the Chairman of the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association, a position he was elected to in 2018.

References

  1. ↑ Schaffhauser, Erich (November 3, 2010). "Deaf Community Happy With Daugaard Win". Sioux Falls (S. Dakota) KELO-TV. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "First CODA becomes the Governor of South Dakota". Fookem and Bug. February 6, 2011. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Gov to Speak at NAD (National Association of the Deaf) Conference". Deaf News Today. May 15, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  4. ↑ joel.ebert@capjournal.com, Joel Ebert (March 5, 2014). "Governor has connection to audiology legislation".
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "About Dennis" at South Dakota government website
  6. ↑ Quinlan, John. "Sioux City hosts royal wedding of South Dakota". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  7. 1 2 "About Dennis". South Dakota. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  8. ↑ "The 2010 Results Maps". Politico.Com. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  9. 1 2 3 Randy Dockendorf, "LaPlante Resigns As Sec. Of Tribal Relations", Yankton Press & Dakotan, 23 April 2014; accessed 17 August 2016
  10. ↑ "Here Are America's Least (and Most) Popular Governors". Morning Consult . September 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
  11. ↑ Easley, Cameron (July 25, 2018). "America's Most and Least Popular Governors -- July 2018". Morning Consult. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Thune, Rounds, Daugaard, Jackley endorse Noem for governor" (23 October 2018) at KristiForGovernor.com
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota
2002, 2006 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of South Dakota
2010, 2014 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota
2003–2011		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Mike Rounds
 Governor of South Dakota
2011–2019		Succeeded by
Kristi Noem
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Senator Order of precedence of the United States
Within South Dakota		Succeeded byas Former Governor
Preceded byas Former Governor Order of precedence of the United States
Outside South Dakota		Succeeded byas Former Governor
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.