Chris Nelson (politician)

Chris Nelson (born August 18, 1964) is an American politician serving as a member of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. Nelson had previously served as Secretary of State of South Dakota from 2003 to 2011. A Republican, he was a candidate to become U.S. Representative from South Dakota's At-large congressional district in 2010, but lost to Kristi Noem in the Republican primary.

Chris Nelson
Member of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission
Assumed office
January 8, 2011
GovernorDennis Daugaard
Preceded byDusty Johnson
26th Secretary of State of South Dakota
In office
January 7, 2003 – January 8, 2011
GovernorMike Rounds
Preceded byJoyce Hazeltine
Succeeded byJason Gant
Personal details
Born (1964-08-18) August 18, 1964 (age 59)
Mitchell, South Dakota, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationSouth Dakota State University (BS)

Career edit

As secretary of state, Nelson received the 2010 Excellent Service to South Dakota County Officials award from the South Dakota County Officials Association; the 2004 Hazeltine/Taylor award from South Dakota Kids Voting; and the 2003 Excellence in South Dakota Municipal Government award from the South Dakota Municipal League. In 2005, he was appointed as a National Governors Association representative on the United States Election Assistance Commission Board of Advisors.[1]

U.S. Senate consideration edit

Nelson was mentioned as a possible successor to Democratic U.S. Senator Tim Johnson, who suffered stroke-like bleeding in the brain caused by a congenital malformation known as arteriovenous malformation. Instead, former Governor Mike Rounds was elected.

References edit

  1. ^ "Commissioner Chris Nelson".

External links edit

Party political offices
Preceded by
Joyze Hazeltine
Republican nominee for Secretary of State of South Dakota
2002, 2006
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Secretary of State of South Dakota
2003–2011
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission
2011–present
Incumbent