Matt Michels

Matt Michels
Name	Matt Michels
Office	36th Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota
Term start	January 8, 2011
Term end	January 5, 2019
Governor	Dennis Daugaard
Predecessor	Dennis Daugaard
Successor	Larry Rhoden
Birth date	September 17, 1960
Birth place	Pierre, South Dakota
Party	Republican Party (United States)
Spouse	Jeanene
Alma mater	United States Naval Academy, University of South Dakota School of Law

Matt Michels is an American attorney, businessman, and politician who served as the 36th Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party (United States), he previously served in the South Dakota House of Representatives and worked in the health care sector and legal practice. He is known for involvement in state policy issues and veteran advocacy.

Early life and education

Born in Pierre, South Dakota, he grew up in a family rooted in South Dakota civic life and attended local schools before earning an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. At the United States Naval Academy he completed a Bachelor of Science degree and later served in the United States Navy as a Naval Aviator and officer. After active duty he pursued legal studies at the University of South Dakota School of Law, where he obtained a Juris Doctor and prepared for a career spanning law practice, health care administration, and public service.

Legal and business career

After graduating from the University of South Dakota School of Law, he practiced law in Pierre, South Dakota and became involved with regional legal matters, including work touching on Native American sovereignty issues relevant to tribes in South Dakota such as the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Yankton Sioux Tribe. He transitioned into executive roles in the health care industry, assuming leadership positions with organizations that interacted with the Medicare and Medicaid systems, hospitals in cities like Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Rapid City, South Dakota, and regional insurers. His business experience included corporate governance, regulatory compliance with agencies like the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and collaboration with institutions such as the Regional Health system and state agencies in Pierre, South Dakota.

Political career

He entered elective politics as a member of the Republican Party (United States) and was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives representing a Pierre-area district. In the legislature he served on committees addressing state fiscal policy in coordination with the South Dakota Legislature leadership, worked with fellow legislators from cities including Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Rapid City, South Dakota, and engaged lawmakers with backgrounds linked to institutions such as the University of South Dakota and the South Dakota State University. He developed working relationships across state government with officials including governors, attorneys general, and state treasurers, and interacted with federal representatives from South Dakota's congressional delegation on matters affecting the state. His legislative focus included rural development, veterans’ affairs, and health care policy.

Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota

In 2010 he was selected as running mate to Dennis Daugaard on the Republican Party (United States) ticket for the South Dakota gubernatorial election, 2010. Following their victory over opponents including candidates from the Democratic Party (United States), he assumed office as Lieutenant Governor on January 8, 2011. As Lieutenant Governor he presided over the South Dakota Senate in its legislative sessions and worked with executives across state agencies, coordinating with the South Dakota Department of Education and Cultural Affairs, the South Dakota Department of Health, and the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs. During his tenure he partnered with governors, secretaries of state, and legislative leaders on initiatives involving budgetary oversight with the South Dakota Bureau of Finance and Management, infrastructure projects affecting Interstate corridors such as Interstate 90 and Interstate 29, and workforce development tied to the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation. He also represented the state at events alongside officials from neighboring states including North Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa, and engaged with federal agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Electoral history

He first won election to the South Dakota House of Representatives from a district around Pierre, South Dakota. In 2010 the Republican Party (United States) ticket of Dennis Daugaard and he won the South Dakota gubernatorial election, 2010 and were inaugurated in January 2011. The pair secured re-election in the South Dakota gubernatorial election, 2014, defeating candidates from the Democratic Party (United States) and third-party challengers. In statewide contests they faced political figures from cities such as Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Rapid City, South Dakota, and their campaigns engaged national organizations including the Republican National Committee.

Personal life and honors

He is married to Jeanene and has three children; the family resides in Pierre, South Dakota. A veteran of the United States Navy, he has been active with veteran service organizations and state veteran support groups, cooperating with entities such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and regional veteran service organizations. Honors during his career have included recognitions from civic organizations and professional associations tied to legal and health care communities, and he has been involved with nonprofit and civic institutions in Pierre, South Dakota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and across South Dakota.

Category:Lieutenant Governors of South Dakota Category:People from Pierre, South Dakota Category:United States Naval Academy alumni Category:University of South Dakota School of Law alumni Category:Republican Party (United States) politicians