Dennis Daugaard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dennis Daugaard
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Daugaard in 2017
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| 32nd Governor of South Dakota | |
| In office January 8, 2011 – January 5, 2019 |
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| Lieutenant | Matt Michels |
| Preceded by | Mike Rounds |
| Succeeded by | Kristi Noem |
| 37th Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota | |
| In office January 7, 2003 – January 8, 2011 |
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| Governor | Mike Rounds |
| Preceded by | Carole Hillard |
| Succeeded by | Matt Michels |
| Member of the South Dakota Senate from the 9th district |
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| In office January 7, 1997 – January 7, 2003 |
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| Preceded by | Mark E. Rogen |
| Succeeded by | Tom Dempster |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Dennis Martin Daugaard
June 11, 1953 Garretson, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Linda Schmidt
(m. 1981) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Tony Venhuizen (son-in-law) |
| Education | University of South Dakota (BS) Northwestern University (JD) |
| Signature |  |
Dennis Martin Daugaard (born June 11, 1953) is an American lawyer and politician. He served as the 32nd governor of South Dakota from 2011 to 2019. He is a member of the Republican Party. He was the first governor in the U.S. whose parents were both deaf. Before becoming governor, he worked as a lawyer and banker. He also served as a state senator and lieutenant governor.
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Growing Up and Education
Dennis Martin Daugaard was born in 1953. He grew up on a family farm near Garretson, South Dakota. His parents, Florence and Raymond, were both deaf. His grandparents came from Denmark. At home, his family mainly used American Sign Language.
As a child, Dennis went to a small, one-room country school. For high school, he attended school in Dell Rapids. He played the French horn and graduated in 1971.
Daugaard then went to the University of South Dakota. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in government in 1975. He continued his studies at Northwestern University School of Law, graduating in 1978. To pay for law school, he worked as an ASL interpreter, a bus driver, and a security guard.
Starting His Career
After law school, Daugaard worked as a lawyer in Chicago from 1978 to 1981. He then moved back to South Dakota. In 1981, he married Linda Schmidt. They have three children: Laura, Sara, and Christopher.
From 1981 to 1990, Daugaard worked as a banker in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After that, he worked for the Children's Home Society of South Dakota. He was the Development Director from 1990 to 2002. Later, he became the Executive Director from 2002 to 2009.
Serving in the State Senate
Dennis Daugaard first entered politics in 1996. He was elected as a Republican to the South Dakota State Senate. He served as a state senator until 2003. During his time in the legislature, he focused on helping children and people with disabilities. He also worked to reduce crime.
Becoming Lieutenant Governor
In 2002, Daugaard was elected the 37th Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota. He served alongside Governor Mike Rounds. He was reelected in 2006, serving a total of eight years as lieutenant governor.
As lieutenant governor, he was the President of the South Dakota Senate. He also led a council that looked at workers' compensation programs. He worked on a group that considered ways to help more South Dakotans get health insurance.
In 2009, Daugaard supported a plan to help economic growth around Ellsworth Air Force Base. He also promoted the Honor Flight program. This program helps World War II veterans visit memorials in Washington, D.C.
Running for Governor
In 2010, Dennis Daugaard ran for governor as a Republican. He won the primary election against several other candidates. He chose Matt Michels as his running mate. His son-in-law, Tony Venhuizen, managed his campaign.
In the November 2010 election, Daugaard and Michels won against the Democratic candidates. Daugaard became the first person whose parents were deaf to be elected governor of any U.S. state. He often talked about issues important to deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
Daugaard and Michels were reelected for a second term in 2014.
As Governor of South Dakota
In 2011, Governor Daugaard created the first Office of Tribal Relations in his government. This office works to build good relationships between the state government and Native American tribes. J.R. LaPlante, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe, was appointed to lead this office. He worked with Daugaard on issues like housing, economic growth, and public safety.
In 2011, Daugaard appointed Dusty Johnson as his chief of staff. In 2014, his son-in-law, Tony Venhuizen, became his chief of staff.
Polls showed that Daugaard was a very popular governor. In 2016, he was the most popular governor in the U.S., with a 74% approval rating. By 2018, he was still very popular, ranking 5th with a 61% approval rating.
After his terms ended in 2019, Daugaard supported Kristi Noem to become the next governor.
See also
In Spanish: Dennis Daugaard para niños
