Jason Elliott Frerichs (born November 24, 1984) is a former state senator and state representative from South Dakota.

Jason Frerichs
Frerichs in Germany (2011)
Minority Leader of the South Dakota Senate
In office
January 3, 2011 – January 4, 2015
Preceded byScott Heidepriem
Succeeded byBillie Sutton
Minority Whip of the South Dakota Senate
In office
January 11, 2017 – January 8, 2019
Preceded byScott Parsley
Jim Peterson
Succeeded byReynold Nesiba
Member of the South Dakota Senate
from the 1st district
In office
January 3, 2011 – January 8, 2019
Preceded byGary D. Hanson
Succeeded bySusan Wismer
Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives
from the 1st district
In office
January 13, 2009 – January 2, 2011
Serving with Susan Wismer
Preceded byClayton Halverson
David Sigdestad
Succeeded byDavid Sigdestad
Susan Wismer
Personal details
Born (1984-11-24) November 24, 1984 (age 39)
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materSouth Dakota State University
ProfessionFarmer, rancher

Early life and education

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Frerichs graduated from South Dakota State University in 2007, earning a B.S. in Agriculture Education. He is the president of the Roberts County Farmers Union.[1] He lives in Wilmot, South Dakota.[2] Frerichs owns and works on a farm with his father and brothers, and also manages 150 cows.[3] Frerichs teaches agriculture at Lake Area Technical Institute, and is an FFA adviser.[4]

Frerichs' father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all served in the South Dakota House of Representatives. Frerichs served as a page in both the South Dakota Legislature and the United States Senate, working for Senator Tom Daschle.[5]

Political career

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Frerichs served in the South Dakota State House of Representatives from 2008 to 2010, where he was the minority whip. In 2010, he was elected to the state senate, becoming minority leader. Frerichs was a member of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, the Legislative Procedure Committee, and the State Affairs.[1] In 2010, he defeated fellow state senator Eldon Nygaard in the race for senate minority leader; Nygaard switched to the Republican Party shortly after.[6]

Frerichs advocates the development of renewable energy in South Dakota.[5] He is considered to be a member of the moderate wing of the South Dakota Democrats and an ally of former Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. [citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Senator Jason Frerichs". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  2. ^ "Senator Jason Frerichs". South Dakota Legislature. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  3. ^ Bruckner, Tracy (30 November 2012). "Stories from the Field: Farmland Access in South Dakota". National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  4. ^ "Ag Entrepreneur: February 2010". Agriculture.com. 9 February 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  5. ^ a b Harriman, Peter (3 October 2010). "Democrats in S.D. craft identity, strain for gains". Argus Leader. Archived from the original on 19 August 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  6. ^ Montgomery, David (10 November 2010). "South Dakota lawmaker Eldon Nygaard switches to GOP after election". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
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