Phil Jensen | |
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![]() Jensen at the 2024 Hazlitt Summit hosted by Young Americans for Liberty Foundation | |
Member of the South DakotaHouseofRepresentatives from the 33rd district | |
Assumed office January 12, 2021 | |
Member of the South Dakota Senate from the 33rd [1] district | |
In office January 8,2013 –January 12,2021 | |
Preceded by | Elizabeth Kraus |
Succeeded by | David Johnson |
Member of the South DakotaHouseofRepresentatives from the 33rd district | |
In office January 2009 –January 8,2013 Servingwith Jacqueline Sly (2009–2013) | |
Succeeded by | Scott Craig |
Personal details | |
Born | Wichita,Kansas | July 24,1952
Nationality | American |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Janet Jensen [2] |
Residence | Rapid City,South Dakota |
Website | philjensen |
Phil Jensen (born July 24,1952),is an American politician from Pennington County,South Dakota who is a current member of the South Dakota House of Representatives and has served as a Republican member of the South Dakota Senate representing District 33 from 2013 to 2021. [3] Jensen served consecutively in the South Dakota Legislature from January 2009 until January 8,2013 in the South Dakota House of Representatives District 33 seat. He supplements his legislative income as a cookware dealer.
Jensen attracted attention nationally for his assertion in an interview with the Rapid City Journal that the free market,not government,should be allowed to decide whether or not racial discrimination is acceptable,and that his SB 128 introduced in 2013,which would allow discrimination by business owners,would serve to protect "the constitutional right to free association,the right to free speech and private property rights." (The bill failed,having drawn such reactions as fellow Republican State Senator Mark Kirkeby terming it "a mean,nasty,hateful,vindictive bill.") [4] Jensen's stance was repudiated by Republican Governor Dennis Daugaard,who issued a press release stating,"I found his comments to be completely out of line with South Dakota values. I don't agree with him and I haven't talked to anyone who does. [5] Jensen is uncertain about the assertion that he is South Dakota's most conservative politician,describing himself as simply a true Reagan conservative;but asserts that "too many" members of his own party are Republicans In Name Only. [6]
In 2022,it emerged that Jensen had been a member of the far-right militia group,the Oath Keepers. [7]
In 2025,Jensen purposed a bill which would have directed the South Dakota Department of Education to withhold money from the Huron School District. Jensen explained to the Argus Leader that the bill was intended to get district leaders to testify in Pierre to explain why "it is allowing boys to go into girls' bathrooms." The bill received statewide condemnation including from fellow Republican lawmakers,leading to Jensen being demoted as Vice Chair of the House Education Committee and withdrawing the bill less than 24 hours. [8]
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