Chris Nelson (politician)

Chris Nelson
Commissioner of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission
Assumed office
January 8, 2011
Governor Dennis Daugaard
Preceded by Dusty Johnson
Secretary of State of South Dakota
In office
2003–2011
Governor Mike Rounds
Preceded by Joyce Hazeltine
Succeeded by Jason Gant
Personal details
Born (1964-08-18) August 18, 1964
Mitchell, South Dakota, U.S.
Political party Republican
Alma mater South Dakota State University

Chris Nelson (born August 18, 1964) is an American politician and current South Dakota Public Utilities Commission member and former Secretary of State of South Dakota. A Republican, he was a candidate to become U.S. Representative from South Dakota's At-large congressional district in 2010 but lost to Kristi Noem in the Republican primary.

Career

Nelson gained prominence as a key constitutional figure in any possible replacement of Democratic U.S. Senator Tim Johnson, who suffered stroke-like bleeding in the brain caused by a congenital malformation known as arteriovenous malformation.

In the event of the office being "vacant" (through death or incapacitation; the definition and meaning of which is subject to various interpretations by constitutional law experts[1]), South Dakota law provides for the governor to name a replacement. Johnson declined to run for re-election for health reasons[2] and was succeeded by the former Governor of South Dakota Mike Rounds, a Republican.

Awards

As secretary of state, Nelson received the 2010 Excellent Service to South Dakota County Officials award from the South Dakota County Officials Association; the 2004 Hazeltine/Taylor award from South Dakota Kids Voting; and the 2003 Excellence in South Dakota Municipal Government award from the South Dakota Municipal League. In 2005, he was appointed as a National Governors Association representative on the United States Election Assistance Commission Board of Advisors.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Jonathan Ellis, S.D. governor would name person to fill Johnson vacancy, usatoday.com; accessed January 2, 2017.
  2. ↑ South Dakota U.S. Senator In Critical Condition After Surgery, abclocal.go.com, December 14, 2006.
  3. ↑ "Commissioner Chris Nelson".


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