title: Steven Haugaard
text: # Steven Haugaard
  
  Steven Haugaard (born April 7, 1956) is an American politician and attorney. He has served as a Republican member for the 10th district in the South Dakota House of Representatives since 2015. He was elected Speaker of the House and served in that office from 2019 to 2021. He had been elected as Speaker pro tempore of the South Dakota House of Representatives and served in that office from 2017 to 2019.
  
  ## Early life and education
  
  Haugaard graduated the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor of Science and then the University of Puget Sound School of Law for his Juris Doctor.
  
  ## Political career
  
  Haugaard was elected as a Republican member for the 10th district in the South Dakota House of Representatives in 2014. He was elected Speaker of the House and served in that office from 2019 to 2021. He had been elected as Speaker pro tempore of the South Dakota House of Representatives and served in that office from 2017 to 2019.
  
  ### Committee assignments
  
  2021-2022
  
  * House Appropriations Committee
  * Joint Legislative Procedure Committee
  * House Legislative Procedure Committee
  
  2019-2020
  
  * Joint Legislative Procedure Committee, Chair
  * House Legislative Procedure Committee, Chair
  * House Government Operations & Audit Committee, Vice Chair
  * House State Affairs Committee
  
  2017-2018
  
  * Health & Human Services
  * Judiciary
  
  2015-2016
  
  * Health & Human Services
  * Judiciary
  
  ## 2022 gubernatorial election
  
  On November 17, 2021, Haugaard announced that he was running for Governor of South Dakota, challenging incumbent Kristi Noem in the Republican primary. He accused Noem of being insufficiently conservative on some issues, as well as of being beholden to special interests. Haugaard was defeated by Noem 76.4% to 23.6% on June 7, 2022.
  
  ## Election history
  
  * 2020 Haugaard was re-elected with 6,527 votes; Doug Barthel was also re-elected with 6,188 votes and Michelle L. Hentschel received 4,736 votes.
  * 2018 Haugaard was re-elected with 5,017 votes; Doug Barthel was elected with 5,101 votes and Barbara Saxton received 3,094 votes and Dean Kurtz received 3,066 votes.
  * 2016 Haugaard was re-elected with 5,838; Don Haggar was re-elected with 5,484 votes and Paul Vanderline received 3,437 votes and Dean Kurtz received 3,283 votes.
  * 2014 Haugaard was elected with 3,574 votes; Don Haggar was also elected with 3,774 votes and Jo Hausman received 2,402 votes and James Wrigg received 1,769 votes.
  