Mike Rounds

M. Michael “Mike” Rounds, the oldest of 11 children, was born in Huron, South Dakota and is a lifelong resident of Pierre. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from South Dakota State University in Brookings. From 1991 to 2000, Rounds served five terms in the South Dakota State Senate. In 1995, he was chosen by his peers to serve as senate majority leader, a post he held for six years. Rounds was sworn-in as South Dakota’s 31st governor on January 7, 2003, and re-elected in 2006. Since taking office, Rounds has been committed to growing South Dakota’s economy, improving the daily lives of South Dakota citizens and providing opportunities for young people to stay in South Dakota. Working together with the legislature and citizens of South Dakota, he balanced the state budget, reduced the structural deficit and created a sales tax relief program on food for individuals within 150 percent of the poverty level. Under Rounds’ leadership, a law was passed to regulate pharmacy benefits management companies; important clean water projects were funded; recreational opportunities were expanded; the Missouri River Summit was initiated to discuss the management of the Missouri River; and the 2010 Economic Development Initiative was designed to set goals for economic growth and visitor spending in South Dakota.