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and crop farm near where his great grandfather settled. He learned the value and importance of hard work as he daily assisted with farm chores and field work.That work ethic drives him yet today. Chris developed a love for agriculture. While in high school he began his own farming operation and set that as his chosen career path.
EducationPrior to graduating from White Lake High School, Chris was active in the Future Farmers of America program. As a high school senior he was selected to be a state officer for the FFA. In this position he worked with his peers across South Dakota to develop their leadership and career potential.His FFA service and a desire for a career in agriculture led Chris to South Dakota State University where he graduated with highest honors in animal science. During his college career, Chris spent a semester living in Japan as part of a youth exchange program. He took part in another youth exchange program to Austria and a church missions trip to the country of Haiti. While agriculture was his career path, Chris also had an interest in politics. He was chosen to serve as an intern for the South Dakota legislature which led to an unexpected job offer at graduation to work in Secretary of State Joyce Hazeltine's office. Secretary of State's OfficeChris served two years as the Uniform Commercial Code supervisor and thirteen years as the state election supervisor in the secretary of state's office. In 2002 he ran for the open Secretary of State seat and won the general election with 56% of the vote. In 2006 he was unopposed for reelection which was the first time in the history of the state that this office was uncontested.As Secretary of State, Chris received the 2003 Excellence in South Dakota Municipal Government award from the SD Municipal League and the 2004 Hazeltine/Taylor award from SD Kids Voting. In 2005 Chris was appointed as a National Governors Association representative on the United States Election Assistance Commission Board of Advisors. Under Chris's leadership the secretary of state's office was awarded the Election Center's 2009 Professional Practices Program State Award. This annual award is given as recognition for the most outstanding election administration professional practice in the nation. The award recognizes the 2008 development and implementation of a new central election reporting system for the state. Because of his understanding of election law and administration, Chris has been asked to testify a number of times at congressional hearings regarding federal election law changes. As Secretary of State, Chris has experience how federal mandates drive up the taxpayer costs of conducting elections. As Secretary of State, Chris has place great emphasis on providing outstanding customer service. An example of the many compliments his office receives came from a citizen following a helpful exchange. The citizen said, "Are you sure you are a government office? Your service was exceptional." Chris knows that as an elected official he is your employee and is responsible for giving you your taxpayer money's worth in service! Chris doesn't just talk about running a government office conservatively, he demonstrates it every day as Secretary of State. In addition to developing innovative computer systems to manage election and secretary of state filing functions, Chris has worked to defend the state from ACLU lawsuits, made sure that our election laws are fair and precise, and worked diligently with our county auditors to conduct free and fair elections. A highlight of his time as Secretary was overseeing the contentious 2004 United States Senate election between Tom Daschle and John Thune making certain that each campaign and all voters were treated fairly by election officials throughout the state. FarmChris has continued on a part-time basis the farming operation he began in high school. This operation, which takes much of his free time, allows Chris to get out of the office and get his hands dirty on weekends. More importantly, it has kept Chris close to the issues facing farm and ranch producers in South Dakota and given him an understanding for how the farm and tax policies of the federal government impact farms and other businesses in South Dakota.FamilyChris has been married to Penny since 1989. They have a daughter, Rebekah, and step-daughter, Heather. Penny is employed full-time as a church office manager.His family enjoys boating on the Missouri River in the summer and Chris enjoys pheasant and deer hunting in the fall. Sunday mornings find him teaching a senior high Sunday school class. Why CongressMany have asked Chris why he is running for Congress when there are other, perhaps easier paths to pursue. The answer is quite simple. Chris has a deep love for this country and believes that many of the decisions today are harmful to our country's future. The economic policies endorsed by this Congress will harm agriculture and business. Those decisions will make it harder for families to balance their own budget. Ultimately these decisions will pass a debt burden on to our children which will lower their standard of living. Chris believes that this is wrong!Chris sees a federal government that is growing in size and reach. When government grows we lose the freedom on which this country was formed and for which our veterans have fought and died for. It is time to say, Enough! Why take on a popular incumbent congresswoman? That answer is simple also. Too many times our representative from South Dakota has voted for the excessive spending which threatens our financial well being. Too many times our representative has failed to stand firmly and consistently against growth in government. Too often our representative has gone with the crowd and voted with the liberal leadership in the Congress. South Dakota needs a representative in Congress who will cast votes based on deeply held principles of reducing spending, limiting taxes, and smaller government. Chris Nelson stands ready to be that Representative. |
