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 |
| 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. A governor is the leader of a state government.
He is a member of the Republican Party. Daugaard was the first governor in a U.S. state to be the child of deaf parents. Before becoming governor, he worked as a lawyer and a banker. He also directed a nonprofit organization. He was a state senator from 1997 to 2003. Then he served as the 37th Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota from 2003 to 2011. A lieutenant governor is like a vice-president for a state.
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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 Daugaard, were both deaf. His grandparents came from Denmark.
Because his parents were deaf, Dennis's family mostly used American Sign Language (ASL) at home. ASL is a visual language that uses hand shapes, facial expressions, and body movements.
As a child, Dennis went to a small, one-room school. For high school, he attended school in Dell Rapids, South Dakota. He played the French horn there and graduated in 1971.
Daugaard studied at the University of South Dakota. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in government in 1975. He then went to Northwestern University School of Law and finished in 1978. To pay for law school, he worked as an ASL interpreter, a bus driver, and a security guard.
Early Career and Family Life
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. A banker helps people manage their money. After that, he worked for the Children's Home Society of South Dakota. This is a nonprofit organization that helps children. He was the Development Director and later the Executive Director there.
Starting in Politics
Dennis Daugaard first entered politics in 1996. He was elected to the South Dakota State Senate as a Republican. He served as a state senator until 2003.
In 2002, he was elected the 37th Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota. He ran with Governor Mike Rounds. He held this position for eight years.
As a State Senator
While in the state legislature, Daugaard focused on several important issues. He wanted to help children and people with disabilities. He also worked to reduce crime in the state.
As Lieutenant Governor
Daugaard was elected lieutenant governor in 2002 and again in 2006. As lieutenant governor, he was the President of the South Dakota Senate. This means he led the meetings of the state senate.
He also chaired the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council. This group looks at and suggests changes to South Dakota's worker compensation program. He also helped with other duties given by the governor and the state constitution. For example, he was part of a group that looked at state constitutional changes. He also led a team that worked to help more South Dakotans get health insurance.
In 2009, Daugaard supported a law to create the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority. This group helps with economic growth around Ellsworth Air Force Base. He also supported the Honor Flight program. This program helps World War II veterans visit memorials in Washington, D.C.
Becoming Governor
In 2010, Dennis Daugaard ran for governor. He won the Republican primary election against other candidates. He chose Matt Michels as his running mate. A running mate is the person who runs for lieutenant governor with the candidate for governor.
In the general election, Daugaard and Michels won against the Democratic candidates. Daugaard became the first person who is a child of deaf adults to be elected governor of any U.S. state. During his campaign, he often talked about issues important to deaf and hard-of-hearing people. He also showed understanding for their hearing children, like himself.
Daugaard and Michels were reelected in 2014 for a second term.
As Governor
In 2011, Governor Daugaard created the first Office of Tribal Relations in his cabinet. This office helps build relationships between the state government and Native American tribes. He appointed J.R. LaPlante, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe, to lead this office. This office works on issues like housing, jobs, and public safety with tribal governments.
Daugaard was very popular during his time as governor. A poll in 2016 showed he was the most popular governor in the U.S. with a 74% approval rating. In 2018, he was still very popular, ranking 5th with a 61% approval rating.
On October 23, 2018, Daugaard supported Kristi Noem to be the next governor. She was elected to succeed him.
Images for kids
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Governor Dennis Daugaard learns about flood preparations.
See also
In Spanish: Dennis Daugaard para niños
