Stephanie Herseth Sandlin

Stephanie Herseth Sandlin is a former U.S. Representative who served South Dakota's at-large congressional district from 2004 to 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, she made history as the first woman elected to the House from South Dakota and was the youngest female member of Congress during her tenure. Herseth Sandlin's political career began with a special election victory in 2004, and she subsequently won three full terms before losing her seat in the 2010 election. In addition to her political career, she has worked as an attorney and university administrator, and since 2017, she has served as the president of Augustana University.

Early life and career

Born on December 3, 1970, in Houghton, South Dakota, Stephanie Marie Herseth was raised on her family's farm. She is the daughter of Joyce and Ralph Lars Herseth, and her family has a long history in South Dakota politics. Her paternal grandfather, Ralph Herseth, served as the governor of South Dakota, while her grandmother, Lorna Herseth, held the position of secretary of state. Her father, Lars Herseth, was a member of the South Dakota State Legislature for two decades and ran for governor in 1986. Herseth Sandlin's ancestry includes German and Norwegian roots.

Herseth graduated from Groton High School in Groton, South Dakota, before pursuing higher education at Georgetown University. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1993 and continued her studies at the Georgetown University Law Center, where she obtained her Juris Doctor in 1997. Following her graduation from law school, she began her professional career as a judicial law clerk for Judge Charles B. Kornmann of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota and Judge Diana Gribbon Motz on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

In addition to her clerkship, Herseth Sandlin worked in private legal practice in Washington, D.C., and also served as a faculty member at the Georgetown University Law Center. Before entering Congress, she held the position of executive director of the South Dakota Farmer's Union Foundation and was a member of the board of directors for First Bank and Trust of Brookings, South Dakota.

House tenure

Herseth Sandlin's political career in the U.S. House of Representatives began with a special election held on June 1, 2004, following the resignation of Republican Governor Bill Janklow, who had been convicted of manslaughter. As the Democratic nominee, she won the election with approximately 51% of the vote, marking a significant moment in South Dakota's political landscape as it resulted in the state's first all-Democratic congressional delegation since 1937, which included Senators Tom Daschle and Tim Johnson.

In the November 2004 general election, Herseth Sandlin successfully defeated her opponent, Larry Diedrich, again, this time garnering about 53.4% of the vote. The election was closely contested, with a vote margin that expanded significantly from the special election earlier that year. Herseth Sandlin's victories in both the special and general elections attracted national attention, highlighting the competitive nature of South Dakota's political environment.

Her subsequent re-elections in 2006 and 2008 further solidified her position in Congress. In 2006, she won against Republican nominee Bruce Whalen with a substantial margin, achieving the second-highest vote total for a Democratic candidate for the House that year. In 2008, Herseth Sandlin secured a landslide victory over attorney Chris Lien, winning every county in South Dakota.

Despite her earlier successes, Herseth Sandlin faced a challenging re-election campaign in 2010. Although she was considered a potential candidate for governor, she ultimately decided to run for re-election to the House. Her campaign was marked by controversy, particularly regarding her stance on health care reform, which drew criticism from within her party. Ultimately, she lost her seat to Republican Kristi Noem in the November 2010 election.

Legislative focus and committees

During her time in the House, Herseth Sandlin was actively involved in committees that were relevant to her constituents and the broader interests of South Dakota. She served on the Agriculture Committee, which is significant given that agriculture represents the largest industry in the state. Additionally, she was a member of the Natural Resources Committee, which oversees issues related to national forests in the Black Hills and policies that affect South Dakota's federally recognized Native American tribes.

Herseth Sandlin's commitment to environmental issues was further demonstrated by her selection to the Select Committee on Global Warming and Energy Independence, where she focused on biofuels and renewable energy initiatives, particularly in rural America. Her legislative work reflected her dedication to addressing the unique challenges and opportunities facing her constituents.

In terms of her voting record, Herseth Sandlin took positions that sometimes diverged from her party's leadership. Notably, she voted against the Affordable Health Care for America Act, expressing her concerns about the legislation. Additionally, she held a nuanced stance on gun rights, which garnered her support from the NRA Political Victory Fund. Herseth Sandlin identified as pro-choice and opposed measures that sought to restrict access to abortion, including a significant law in South Dakota that aimed to ban abortions in cases of incest and rape. She also supported the Employment Nondiscrimination Act in 2007, reflecting her advocacy for civil rights.

Throughout her career, Herseth Sandlin was recognized for her leadership within the Democratic Party, serving as a senior whip and co-chairing the conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition. Her political journey has left a lasting impact on South Dakota's political landscape, and she remains a notable figure in the state's history. After leaving Congress, she transitioned into academia, taking on the role of president at Augustana University in 2017, where she continues to influence future generations.