HI, I'M DAN

Thanks for taking a moment to get to know me, not just as a candidate, but as a husband, a father, and a neighbor.

Where I come from

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. Government should help families succeed, not make life harder for them.

Why I'm Running

To be a leader means being a servant. It means listening to people’s concerns and needs—because that’s how you know whether policies are working or not. For too long, too many of our elected officials have ignored the voices of the people they represent. Instead, we see them focused on issues that don’t reflect our daily lives or real needs. And when South Dakotans bring forward ballot measures to address those concerns, our leaders work to undo the will of the people and make it harder to even get issues on the ballot. That’s not listening.

As your governor, I will listen. I will be accessible. And I will focus on the issues that matter most to you. I won’t pretend to have all the answers—because I don’t. But I will do what I’ve done my entire career: build strong teams, work collaboratively, and focus on solving problems and serving people. I will work with Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike to find common ground, move this state forward, and build a brighter future for everyone who calls South Dakota home.

Rooted in Community, Built on Service

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.

While collaborating with colleagues from both parties and 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

ISSUES

Operation Prairie Thunder

Affordable Education and Opportunities to Succeed

South Dakota is one of the few states that does not offer a free, universal Pre-K program. At the same time, our state faces a childcare crisis that affects families, educators, employers, and communities alike. Access to affordable, high-quality childcare and early education is one of the most important issues facing South Dakota parents today.

Early childhood education provides some of the most formative experiences in a child's life. It prepares students for success in school, supports working families, and strengthens our workforce and economy. Investing in early education is not only an investment in our children, it's an investment in South Dakota's future.

As governor, I will work to expand access to high-quality childcare and early learning opportunities through both public and private partnerships. Supporting private providers ensures that the small businesses and community organizations delivering these essential services can continue to grow and serve families. Public investment can provide the long-term stability needed to make childcare and early education more affordable and accessible across the state.

If we want more young families to build their futures in South Dakota, we must make it easier to raise children here. Expanding access to childcare and early education is one of the smartest investments we can make to strengthen our communities, grow our workforce, and create opportunities that keep the next generation in South Dakota.

Healthcare

Every South Dakotan deserves access to affordable, quality healthcare, regardless of where they are coming from. Communities all over South Dakota face healthcare shortages and a lack of access to lifesaving services. Our focus should be strengthening the healthcare system that South Dakotans depend on: protecting critical access hospitals and local clinics, expanding access to maternal and infant healthcare, addressing provider shortages through recruitment and rural loan repayment programs, improving access to mental health and substance use treatment, and ensuring healthcare is available regardless of ZIP code. Before we can reach a brighter South Dakota, we need a healthy South Dakota.