Chris Nelson (born August 18, 1964) is an American politician serving as a member of the

South Dakota Public Utilities Commission The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulates the energy, Telecommunications and grain warehouse companies located in South Dakota. The PUC keeps track of the Do Not Call Registry. Commissioners are elected to six-year terms in stag ...

. Nelson had previously served as

Secretary of State of South Dakota The secretary of state of South Dakota is an elected constitutional officer of the U.S. state of South Dakota. The current secretary of state is Monae Johnson. Divisions The secretary of state's office is composed of three divisions: *ThBus ...

from 2003 to 2011. A

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or again ...

, he was a candidate to become

U.S. Representative The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they c ...

from

South Dakota's At-large congressional district South Dakota's at-large congressional district is the sole congressional district for the state of South Dakota. Based on area, it is the fourth largest congressional district in the nation. The district is currently represented by Dusty Johnso ...

in 2010, but lost to

Kristi Noem Kristi Lynn Noem (; née Arnold; born November 30, 1971) is an American politician serving as the 33rd governor of South Dakota since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, she was the U.S. representative for from 2011 to 2019 and a member ...

in the Republican primary.

Career

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.

U.S. Senate consideration

Nelson was mentioned as a possible successor to

Democratic Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

U.S. Senator The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and powe ...

Tim Johnson, who suffered stroke-like bleeding in the brain caused by a

congenital A birth defect, also known as a congenital disorder, is an abnormal condition that is present at birth regardless of its cause. Birth defects may result in disabilities that may be physical, intellectual, or developmental. The disabilities c ...

malformation known as

arteriovenous malformation Arteriovenous malformation is an abnormal connection between arteries and veins, bypassing the capillary system. This vascular anomaly is widely known because of its occurrence in the central nervous system (usually cerebral AVM), but can app ...

. Instead, former Governor

Mike Rounds Marion Michael Rounds (born October 24, 1954) is an American businessman and politician serving as the junior United States senator from South Dakota since 2015. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 31st governor of South Dakota ...

was elected.

References

External links

Chris Nelson at BallotpediaOffice website
, - 1964 births Living people Place of birth missing (living people) Secretaries of state of South Dakota South Dakota Republicans South Dakota State University alumni South Dakota public utilities commissioners {{SouthDakota-politician-stub