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Rich Sattgast

An Alternative U.S. Senate Candidate from South Dakota  

Qualifications for the U.S. Senate

• Education ~ Sattgast received his B.S. in Political Science and Business Administration from Black Hills State University. After fighting in Desert Storm, he continued his education by achieving a 4.0 GPA while obtaining his Masters in Public Administration in the field of Public Affairs, Political and Governmental Processes at New Mexico Highlands University. An inductee of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Sattgast would be accepted into the Presidential Management Internship program in Washington D.C. However, he would eventually decline this position in order to return home and a position with the Secretary of State. (OSA, 2004)

• Political Experience ~ Although never achieving a political office before his current one as State Auditor, Sattgast has done many other politically motivated activities. Besides working under the Secretary of State after receiving his Masters, he has also been the Association of County Officials’ Lobbyist and both a Legislative and Lobbyist Intern. In 1992, he was the West River Coordinator for President George Bush’s Re-Election campaign. Additionally, he was a military liaison to the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait for the Commander of the Armed Forces in Kuwait. Sattgast also managed to serve as the director for the South Dakota Association of County Officials. (OSA, 2004)

Conclusion

Although Rich Sattgast has some very important fundamental experiences that most politicians today seem to have, such as political ambition and strong feelings for the community in which they wish to represent, I believe that there are several reasons why he did not declare his candidacy for the U.S. Senate.

• Political Office Experience ~ Sattgast simply has not had enough public office experience to campaign for such a high office. Although in some recent instances people have been able to jump into the national level of politics, such as John Edwards, it still remains a very rare occurrence.

• Popularity of Incumbent ~ Incumbents naturally have an advantage in any election. Moreover, Senator Daschle is still very popular with most of South Dakota and Sattgast would probably have absolutely no chance against such a well-liked incumbent. (TomDaschle.com, 2004)

• Ties to South Dakota ~ Although it might be assumed that all politicians wish to seek higher office, this is not always the case. I believe that Sattgast showed that he wished to return and remain in his home state when he refused the position in the Presidential Management Internship program in Washington D.C.. Therefore, I further believe that this individual will never make an attempt at a national position, but will instead try to campaign for other offices within South Dakota. (OSA, 2004)

References

Honor Code

Contact Information: Mapaddock@davidson.edu

Created: 9/22/2004

Updated:9/22/2004

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