ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Dan
WHERE I COME FROM
Thanks for taking a moment to get to know me, not just as a candidate, but as a husband, a father, and a neighbor.
My wife, Amy, and I are high school sweethearts. We’ve been married for 27 years and are raising two sons, Jackson (19) and Aaron (14). Like so many South Dakota families, we’ve built our lives around hard work, responsibility, and looking out for one another. I believe strong families are the foundation of a strong state and government should help families succeed, not make life harder for them.
ROOTED IN COMMUNITY, BUILT ON SERVICE
For more than 20 years, I’ve been proud to call Dell Rapids home, where I’ve owned and operated a small business. I know firsthand what it takes to meet a payroll, balance a budget, and make tough decisions, because I’ve lived them.
Giving back has always mattered to me. I’ve had the privilege of serving as President of the Haven Before and After School Program, the Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce, and the Dell Rapids Community Fund. These roles weren’t about titles, they were about strengthening our community, supporting working families, and investing in our kids.
DELIVERING RESULTS AT
THE CAPITOL
For six years, I’ve had the honor of representing District 25 in the State Legislature. I didn’t go to Pierre to score political points, I went to solve problems.
Working with colleagues from both parties and with state agencies, I focused on making government work better and smarter. Together, we increased funding for education, improved how state services are delivered, supported our veterans, and protected our most vulnerable neighbors—all while holding the line on taxes.
MISSION STATEMENT
Leadership That Listens
I believe the best government starts with listening. You deserve leaders who hear your concerns, respect different viewpoints, and are willing to work across party lines to get things done. That’s how I’ve served—as a legislator, a community volunteer, and a small business owner. And that’s how I’ll lead as Governor: with common sense, accountability, and a deep respect for the people of this state.
South Dakota is at a crossroads. Families are feeling squeezed by rising costs. Schools are struggling to keep teachers. Rural communities are fighting to stay vibrant. And too often, politics gets in the way of practical solutions that actually help people. I’m running for Governor because I believe we can do better and because I know how to get things done.
I’ve spent my life in South Dakota: raising a family, running a small business, volunteering in my community, and working across party lines in the Legislature. I understand the difference between political rhetoric and real results, and I know that effective leadership means showing up, listening, and making tough but responsible choices.
Now is the moment for leadership that focuses less on headlines and more on outcomes. Leadership that respects taxpayers while investing in education, workforce development, and infrastructure. Leadership that strengthens rural communities, supports veterans and seniors, and ensures state government works efficiently and transparently for everyone.
I’m not running to divide South Dakotans—I’m running to bring people together around common goals: opportunity, fairness, and a future our kids want to stay for. That’s why I’m running for Governor.