Mike Rounds

Marion Michael "Mike" Rounds (born October 24, 1954) is an American politician. Rounds has served as Governor of South Dakota since January 7, 2003, having been elected on November 5, 2002.

Political

State Senator

Rounds represented District 24, which includes Pierre and the surrounding area in the South Dakota State Legislature from 1991 to 2001, serving from 1995 as majority leader. In 1990, Rounds won 52.5% of the vote in a successful challenge of incumbent state senator Jacqueline Kelley, a Pierre Democrat. He was reelected in 1992 with 59.9%, in 1994 with 77.3%, in 1996 with 66.0%, and in 1998 with 74.9%. Rounds was barred from seeking reelection in 2000 by legislative term limits, which South Dakota voters had passed in 1994.

Related Topics:
Pierre - South Dakota State Legislature - 1991 - 2001 - 1995 - Majority leader - 1990 - Democrat - 1992 - 1994 - 1996 - 1998 - 2000 - Legislative term limits

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In 1995, Rounds was selected by his peers to be Senate Majority Leader. During his time as majority leader, Rounds worked closely with Governor Bill Janklow and was respected for his effective leadership of the senate. Rounds had an important role in passing several of Janklow's initiatives, including property tax reduction, reform of the school aid funding formula, the "wiring" of South Dakota schools, and the sale of the state cement plant.

Related Topics:
1995 - Senate Majority Leader - Governor Bill Janklow - Property tax

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2002 Gubernatorial Election

Rounds' victory in the 2002 Republican Gubernatorial Primary was one of South Dakota's greatest political upsets. Until late in 2001, then-Congressman John Thune was the front-runner for the nomination. When Thune passed on the race to challenge Senator Tim Johnson, state Attorney General Mark Barnett and former Lt. Governor Steve Kirby quickly became candidates. Rounds declared his candidacy late, in December 2001, and was outraised and outspend ten-to-one by each of his opponents. However, the contest between Kirby and Barnett soon became very negative and "dirty." As the two front-runners concentrated on each other, Rounds insisted on running a positive campaign and was not attacked by his opponents. Rounds' positive image and extensive knowledge of state government won him many supporters who were alienated by the front-runners. On the day of the primary election, Rounds won a stunning victory, winning 44.3% to Barnett's 29.5% and Kirby's 26.1%.

Related Topics:
John Thune - Senator Tim Johnson - Mark Barnett - Steve Kirby - 2001

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After winning the Republican nomination, Rounds selected state senator Dennis Daugaard of Dell Rapids, South Dakota to be his running mate. Their Democratic opponents were University of South Dakota President Jim Abbott of Vermillion, South Dakota and his running mate, former state representative Mike Wilson of Rapid City, South Dakota. During the campaign, Abbott, who had been considered the Democratic Party's strongest nominee in years, was hampered by his strategic inability to attack Rounds; any effort to "go negative" would have only reinforced Rounds' positive campaign.

Related Topics:
Republican - Dennis Daugaard - Dell Rapids, South Dakota - Democratic - University of South Dakota - Jim Abbott - Vermillion, South Dakota - Mike Wilson - Rapid City, South Dakota

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Rounds was elected governor on November 5, 2002. The results were as follows:

Related Topics:
November 5 - 2002

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• Republicans: Mike Rounds and Dennis Daugaard - 56.8%
• Democrats: Jim Abbott and Mike Wilson - 41.9%
• Independent: Jim Carlson and Ron Bosch - 0.7%
• Libertarians: Nathan Barton and Eric Risty - 0.6%

Rounds' election signaled several "firsts" for South Dakota. Rounds is the first resident of Pierre, the capital city, to be elected Governor. He is also the first alumnus of South Dakota State University, the state's largest university, to serve as governor, as well as the first baby boomer.

Related Topics:
South Dakota - Pierre - Capital city - Governor - South Dakota State University - Baby boomer

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Political Future

Though he has made no official announcement of his candidacy, Rounds has indicated that he intends to seek a second term in 2006, and that he will again invite Dennis Daugaard to be his running mate. To date, the only announced challenger to Rounds is former state senator Ron Volesky of Huron, a Democrat. In 2004, rumors circulated that television personality and former South Dakotan Pat O'Brien was considering a return to his home state to challenge Governor Rounds; however, recent revelations of personal problems have largely ended speculation about an O'Brien candidacy in 2006.

Related Topics:
2006 - Dennis Daugaard - Ron Volesky - Huron - Democrat - 2004 - Television - Pat O'Brien

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Speculation also persists about the possibility that, in 2008, Rounds may seek the United States Senate seat held currently by Tim Johnson, a Democrat who has held the seat since 1997. To date, Rounds has not demonstrated any interest in seeking the Senate seat. The prospects for 2008 are further muddled because Johnson has also not announced his intention to seek a third term; should he decline to run again, the likely Democratic nominee would be current Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth.

Related Topics:
2008 - United States Senate - Tim Johnson - Democrat - 1997 - Congresswoman - Stephanie Herseth

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