Want to Subscribe?
Sign In or Sign Up now!

Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin grew up on her family's farm and ranch near Houghton, in Brown County. She graduated from Groton High School and received both her undergraduate and law degrees from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

Since she was first elected in 2004 as South Dakota's lone member of Congress, Rep. Herseth Sandlin has prioritized issues important to the state. Her positions on the Veterans' Affairs, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees allow her to play a central role in shaping policy suited to South Dakota's interests. Through her role on the Agriculture Committee, she helped to craft the Farm Bill reauthorization that was enacted in 2008. As the chairwoman for the Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee for Economic Opportunity, she has passed legislation to ease servicemembers' transitions to civilian life -- particularly for the new generation of veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Her position on the Natural Resources Committee allows her to focus on issues affecting South Dakota's public lands, including the Black Hills National Forest, as well as issues critical to the nine sovereign Native American tribes she represents, issues like law enforcement, health care and infrastructure essential to economic development. In addition, during the 110th Congress, Rep. Herseth Sandlin was selected to serve as one of just 15 members on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global warming, in recognition of her leadership on and advocacy for renewable biofuels.

Rep. Herseth Sandlin is a leader in the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition, which is committed to balancing the budget and strong national defense. She is also co-chair of the Rural Working Group, dedicated to ensuring that rural voices are heard on issues ranging from health care to education to energy.

Rep. Herseth Sandlin has received a number of awards in recognition of her public service, including the Golden Triangle Award from National Farmers Union, the Spirit of Enterprise Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Congressional Award from the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, and the Small Business Advocate Award from the Small Business Survival Committee. In recognition for her work to help prevent the closure of Ellsworth Air Force Base as well as her work on the 2005 federal highway transportation bill, she received the Economic Development Award from the Associated General Contractors of South Dakota. In 2006, she was named one of Ten Outstanding Young Americans by the United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees).

Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin is a member of the South Dakota Bar, and worked with U.S. District Court Judge Charles B. Kornmann in Pierre and Aberdeen. In 2003, she served as the executive director of the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation, and during that year also taught courses on public service and politics at Augustana College in Sioux Falls and South Dakota State University in Brookings.

Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin currently lives in Brookings. In 2007, she married former U.S. Congressman Max Sandlin. Former Governor Ralph Herseth was Stephanie's grandfather and Lorna B. Herseth, South Dakota's Secretary of State, was her grandmother. Her father, Lars, served in the state legislature for 20 years and was the Democratic nominee for Governor in 1986.