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Lieutenant Governor Dennis Daugaard
Because of its small population, South Dakota produces visible politicians. Political correspondent for The Capital Journal of Pierre, SD, writer Dana Hess defined the requirements for U.S. Senate seats: “ South Dakotans don’t vote for nameless candidates” (Hess 2004). For this primary reason, only a few politicians in South Dakota are viable candidates. Lieutenant Governor Dennis Daugaard is one of these few.
Lt. Gov. Daugaard neatly fits into the stereotype scholars refer to as a “high-quality candidate” (MSM 2001, 15). Daugaard shines in terms of “strategic resources” and “personal characteristics” (MSM 2001, 15).
Regarding his ability to serve as an elected official, Daugaard has proven history. Starting his political career in 1996, Daugaard successfully ran for State Senate as a Republican, and he continued to win two more reelection campaigns in 1998 and 2000. After six years in the state Senate, Daugaard left politics to preside as president of a worthwhile non-profit organization, Children’s Home Society of South Dakota (Biography 2004). Governor Mike Rounds unexpectedly tapped Daugaard to be the Lieutenant Governor in the 2002 campaign. Together, the team won the 2002 governorship (Pierce 2003). As Lt. Gov, Daugaard won the respect of colleagues on both sides of the aisle. State Senate Democratic Leader Garry Moore of Yankton said, “You can’t ask for more,” when describing Daugaard’s fairness and honesty (Pierce 2003). Clearly, Daugaard’s political background is admirable.
Born and raised in South Dakota, Daugaard is a married father with three children. Also, Daugaard has an educational background prime for the life of politics. After going to law school at Northwestern University, Daugaard worked as a lawyer, banker, and non-profit president. The combination of the skills he has learned in his personal and private life ring harmoniously in the ears of potential voters (Biography 2004).
Lastly, Daugaard has a proven history in fundraising. As Development Director of the Children’s Home Foundation, a fund caring for the needs of emotionally unstable children, Daugaard “built annual funds from $38,000 to $650,000 and successfully raised and doubled a $3.5 million endowment challenge” (Biography 2004). With this ability to further his passionate beliefs, Daugaard can impressively garnish financial support for his causes.
Daugaard’s only negative characteristics come from his lack of ambition to seek national offices. This comes as no surprise, though, because as Yankton political reporter, Kelly Hertz, pointed out, “Politics have changed in South Dakota; no longer do strong candidates find going to Washington attractive” (Hertz 2004). However, if Daugaard overcame this sentiment, his political history, personal and professional backgrounds, and his ability to raise money make Lt. Gov. Daugaard an extremely attractive candidate for upcoming Senatorial elections.
Copyright Davidson College, 2004, Department of Political Science, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035
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Created: 9/9/2004. Last Updated 9/21/2004.
Political Science 318 - Strategy and Ethics in Election Campaigns
