Rick Weiland

Rick Weiland
Name	Rick Weiland
Birth date	24 November 1958
Birth place	Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Occupation	Politician; Businessman
Party	Democratic Party (United States)
Education	University of South Dakota (B.A.)

Rick Weiland

Richard "Rick" Weiland (born November 24, 1958) is an American businessman and political figure from South Dakota. He served in senior staff and executive roles in federal and nonprofit organizations, and was the Democratic nominee for the United States Senate seat from South Dakota in 2014. Weiland's career spans electoral campaigns, advocacy on financial services and Native American issues, and involvement with regional economic development initiatives.

Early life and education

Weiland was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and raised in a family with roots in the Midwestern United States. He attended public schools in Minnehaha County, South Dakota before matriculating at the University of South Dakota, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree. During his university years he became involved with student organizations and community groups in Vermillion, South Dakota and engaged with statewide political networks associated with the Democratic Party (United States). His formative experiences in South Dakota politics and civic life informed later work on regional economic and social policy.

Business and professional career

Weiland's professional career includes senior roles in federal agencies and the private sector. He worked for the Farmer Credit Administration-related agencies and served in positions connected to agricultural finance and regulatory matters. He later moved into executive leadership with nonprofit organizations focused on community development, including initiatives linked to tribal economies and rural investment. Weiland has experience in strategic planning, business development, and advocacy within institutions such as the Small Business Administration and organizations that collaborate with Native American tribes in the Northern Plains. His work involved partnerships with banks and credit organizations, and engagement with stakeholders from entities like the U.S. Department of Agriculture and regional economic development councils.

Political career

Weiland served as a staffer and advisor in several political and legislative contexts. He worked on campaigns and in offices associated with figures in the Democratic Party (United States), participating in efforts connected to ballot initiatives and statewide races in South Dakota. He has been active in advocacy on rural economic development, infrastructure, and tribal relations, collaborating with offices of members of the United States Congress from the Midwest. Weiland also held roles in organizations that monitored and influenced federal policy related to finance and rural communities, interfacing with institutions such as the Federal Reserve System and Congressional committees in Washington, D.C..

2014 U.S. Senate campaign

In 2014 Weiland sought the United States Senate seat being vacated by then-incumbent Tim Johnson. He ran as the Democratic nominee in a high-profile contest against Republican candidate Mike Rounds. The campaign emphasized issues including regional economic development, veteran services, and broadband expansion in South Dakota and tribal lands, and drew attention from national parties including the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee. Weiland's campaign received endorsements and mobilized volunteers across counties such as Pennington County, South Dakota and Minnehaha County, South Dakota, while debates involved policy contrasts with proponents of fiscal conservatism and members of interest groups such as National Rifle Association of America and veterans' organizations. The race concluded with Rounds winning the general election, while Weiland continued to advocate on policy matters after the campaign.

Policy positions and political views

Weiland's policy positions have focused on economic opportunity in rural regions, access to credit for small businesses, and the expansion of infrastructure in underserved areas including tribal communities. He supported measures to increase broadband access across the Great Plains and backed programs aimed at strengthening agricultural markets and farm credit. On social policy, his stances aligned with the platform of the South Dakota Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee on issues such as veterans' benefits, health access, and education funding. He engaged with stakeholders including tribal leaders from nations such as the Oglala Sioux Tribe and policy experts from institutions like the Brookings Institution and think tanks active on rural policy. Weiland critiqued austerity measures favored by some members of the United States House of Representatives and advocated for targeted investments supported by agencies like the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Personal life and community involvement

Weiland has been active in community organizations and nonprofit boards across South Dakota and the Northern Plains. He participated in outreach with veterans' groups, tribal governments, and chambers of commerce in cities such as Sioux Falls and Rapid City, South Dakota. His community involvement included collaboration with organizations focused on economic development, historical preservation, and civic engagement, working alongside leaders from institutions like the South Dakota State Historical Society and regional higher education institutions including the South Dakota State University. Weiland resides in South Dakota and continues to engage in public policy dialogue and community initiatives.

Category:People from Sioux Falls, South Dakota Category:South Dakota Democrats