Jason Frerichs
| Jason Frerichs | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Frerichs in Germany (2011) | |
| Member of the South Dakota Senate from the 1st district | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office November 2, 2010 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 24, 1984 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | South Dakota State University |
| Religion | Lutheran |
Jason Frerichs is a state senator from South Dakota, currently serving as the Democratic Party's minority leader.
Early life and education
Frerichs graduated from South Dakota State University in 2007, earning a B.S. in Agriculture Education. He is the president of the Roberts County Farmers Union.[1] He lives in Wilmot, South Dakota.[2] Frerichs owns and works on a farm with his father and brothers, and also manages 150 cows.[3] Frerichs teaches agriculture at Lake Area Technical Institute, and is an FFA adviser.[4]
Frerichs father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all served in the South Dakota House of Representatives. Frerichs served as a page in both the South Dakota legislature and the United States Senate, working for Senator Tom Daschle.[5]
Political career
Frerichs served in the South Dakota State House of Representatives from 2008-2010, where he was the minority whip. In 2010, he was elected to the state senate, becoming minority leader. Frerichs is a member of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, the Legislative Procedure Committee, and the State Affairs.[1] In 2010, Frerichs defeated fellow state senator Eldon Nygaard in the race for senate minority leader; Nygaard switched to the Republican Party shortly after.[6]
Frerichs attributes his political appeal to his ability to transcend political ideology. Although South Dakota Democrats have recently been marginalized by strong Republican majorities in the South Dakota legislature, Frerichs sees Democrats as potentially playing a role in helping to develop renewable energy in South Dakota.[5] A member of the more moderate wing of the South Dakota Democrats and an ally of former Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, Frerichs may run for statewide office in the future,[7] and was mentioned as a potential 2012 US House candidate.[8]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Senator Jason Frerichs". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ↑ "Senator Jason Frerichs". South Dakota Legislature. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ↑ Bruckner, Tracy (30 November 2012). "Stories from the Field: Farmland Access in South Dakota". National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ↑ "Ag Entrepreneur: February 2010". Agriculture.com. 9 February 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Harriman, Peter (3 October 2010). "Democrats in S.D. craft identity, strain for gains". Argus Leader. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
- ↑ Montgomery, David (10 November 2010). "South Dakota lawmaker Eldon Nygaard switches to GOP after election". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ↑ Montgomery, David (29 May 2013). "Frerichs’ political future". Argus Leader. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ↑ King, Ledyard (13 November 2010). "Political tightrope awaits House newcomer Kristi Noem". Argus Leader. Retrieved 19 August 2013.