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Eldon Nygaard

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Eldon Nygaard
Member of the South Dakota Senate
from the 17th district
In office
2011–2013
Preceded byBen Nesselhuf
Succeeded byTom Jones
Personal details
Born (1946-04-17) April 17, 1946 (age 78)
Viborg, South Dakota
Political partyDemocratic (before 2010)
Republican (since 2010)
ResidenceVermillion, South Dakota
Alma materUniversity of Nebraska (BBA)
Marquette University (JD)
ProfessionAttorney
Farmer

Eldon Eugene Nygaard is an American politician who served as a member of both houses of the South Dakota Legislature.

Early life and career

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Eldon Nygaard was born April 17, 1946 in Viborg, South Dakota and raised on a farm near that city.[1][2] He is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.[3] Nygaard saw service in the Vietnam War with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.[4] He retired as a Army Aviator with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4.[1] He flew more than 1000 combat missions in Vietnam and was shot down four times from 1967 to 1968; Awards and Decorations include: Distinguish Flying Cross (2) in the Republic of Vietnam, Purple Heart, 32 awards of the Air Medal, 1 Air Medal with “V” device, 3 awards of the Army Commendation Meal, 2 with “V” device, 1 Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation. He served a total of 34 years of service in the active Army, the Army Reserves and Army National Guards[citation needed]. He earned a bachelor of business administration from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 1972 and his Juris Doctor degree from Marquette University Law School in 1976. He taught political science at the University of South Dakota.[1] In 1993, Eldon retired to the farm where he was raised near Viborg, South Dakota. Three years later, he established Valiant Vineyards, the first vineyard in South Dakota.[2]

Political career

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In the 2006 general election, he was elected to represent the 17th district, which included Clay and Turner counties.[1] During the 86th South Dakota Legislature, Nygaard served as a member of the Committee on Health and Human Services and the Committee on Commerce.[5] During the 87th Legislature, Nygaard was elevated to serve as one of the Democratic Caucus' whips and continued his service on the Commerce and Health and Human Services committees.[6]

In 2010, Democratic incumbent Ben Nesselhuf vacated his seat and ran for South Dakota Secretary of State. Nygaard defeated Republican candidate Terri Jorgenson for the seat. Shortly after his election to the state senate as a Democrat, Nygaard joined the Republican Party.[7][8] In the Senate, he served as Vice Chair of the Commerce & Energy Committee and served as a member on the Commerce Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Taxation Committee.[9] In the 2012 general election, Nygaard did not seek reelection. He was succeeded in the 17th district by Tom Jones.[10]

Post-political career

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As of 2017, he is president of the South Dakota Wineries Association, a trade association for wineries.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Nelson, Chris, ed. (2007). "Members of the House of Representatives". 2007 Legislative Manual of South Dakota (PDF). Pierre, South Dakota: South Dakota Secretary of State. p. 55. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Kerzman, Lexi (September 29, 2020). "'A Hobby That Got Out Of Hand': Valiant Vineyard Shares Vermillion History Through Wine". The Volante. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  3. ^ Schroedel, Jean; Aslanian, Artour. "Native American Vote Suppression: The Case of South Dakota" (PDF). Race, Gender & Class. 22 (1–2). Claremont Graduate University: 308–323. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  4. ^ Nolan, Keith William (2002). The Battle for Saigon: Tet, 1968. Novato, California: Presidio Press. p. 264. Retrieved April 5, 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  5. ^ 2007 Legislative Manual. p. 226.
  6. ^ Nelson, Chris (ed.). "Directory of State Government". 2009 South Dakota Legislative Manual. Pierre, South Dakota: South Dakota Secretary of State. p. 227. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  7. ^ Mercer, Bob (October 1, 2011). "Do Democrats have good reason for complaints in redistricting?". The Watertown Public Opinion. Retrieved April 5, 2024. Those retirements by Democratic senators Scott Heidepriem of Sioux Falls, Ben Nesselhuf of Vermillion, Julie Bartlett of Burke and Jim Peterson of Revillo produced a net loss of three seats for the Democrats. Worse, Nesselhuf's successor switched parties after the election; Sen. Eldon Nygaard of Vermillion now is a Republican.
  8. ^ Gant, Jason M., ed. (April 2011). South Dakota Official Election Returns and Registration Figures (PDF). Pierre, South Dakota: South Dakota Secretary of State. p. 21. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  9. ^ Gant, Jason M. (ed.). 2011 South Dakota Legislative Manual. Pierre, South Dakota: South Dakota Secretary of State. p. 89. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  10. ^ Mercer, Bob (November 8, 2012). "Republicans stay in control of Legislature". Capital Journal – via NewsBank. The Jones' victory was important because it returned a previously Democratic seat. Two years ago Eldon Nygaard of Vermillion won election as a Democrat but switched political parties so he could have more influence as a Republican. Nygaard didn't seek re-election this year.
  11. ^ Lockett, Chynna (September 8, 2017). "Vineyards Begin Harvest". South Dakota Public Radio. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
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