Colonel William A. Phillips

Matthew Michels (born March 9, 1960[1]) is an American politician who served from 2011 to 2019 as the 38th lieutenant governor of South Dakota.

Early life and education

Michels was born in Pierre, South Dakota. He graduated with a B.S. from the University of South Dakota in 1981 and a J.D. from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1985. Michels also worked as a nurse between 1981 and 1985.

Career

Michels attended Naval Justice School and entered U.S. Navy JAG Corps. He was honorably discharged from the JAG Corps in 1989. He later became general counsel for Avera Health.

A member of the Republican Party, he served as speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007. Dennis Daugaard picked him as his running mate in the 2010 gubernatorial election;[2][3] they were reelected in 2014.

Electoral history

South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Matt Michels 5,724 35.31
Republican Jean Hunhoff 4,699 28.98
Democratic Scott Swier 4,234 26.11
Democratic Jay Blankenfield 1,556 9.60
South Dakota House of Representatives District 18 Election, 2004
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Matt Michels 6,866 53.39
Republican Jean Hunhoff 5,993 46.61

References

External links

Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota
2010, 2014
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by
Scott Eccarius
Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives
2003–2007
Succeeded by
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota
2011–2019
Succeeded by