Eldon Nygaard

Eldon Nygaard
South Dakota State Senate District 17
Former member
In office
2011-2013
Party	Republican
Compensation
Base salary	$12,000/two-year term
Per diem	$110/legislative day
Elections and appointments
Last election	November 2, 2010
First elected	November 2, 2010
Term limits	Four terms
Prior offices
South Dakota House of Representatives
2007-2011
Education
Bachelor's	University of Nebraska, Omaha, 1972
J.D.	Marguette University Law School, 1976
Military service
Service/branch	United States Army/National Guard/Reserves
Years of service	1965-1997
Personal
Place of birth	Viborg, SD
Profession	Lawyer
Religion	Lutheran
Websites
Office website

Eldon Nygaard is a former Republican member of the South Dakota State Senate, representing District 17 from 2011 to 2013. Nygaard was elected to the South Dakota State Senate in 2010 as a Democrat. Following the election Nygaard joined the Republican Party after losing a leadership position. Nygaard served in the South Dakota State House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011, representing the 17th District. Prior to joining the state senate, he served as House Minority Whip.

Nygaard has worked as a lawyer, farmer, and business owner.

In November 2010, Nygaard switched membership from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. In a news release, Nygaard said: "I can represent my district's needs in Pierre more effectively as a member of the Republican Party."

Committee assignments

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Nygaard served on the following committees:

• Commerce and Energy Committee, South Dakota State Senate, Vice Chair
• Judiciary Committee, South Dakota State Senate
• Taxation Committee, South Dakota State Senate

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Nygaard served on the following committees while a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives:

• Commerce Committee, South Dakota House
• Health and Human Services Committee, South Dakota House

Elections

2010

See also: South Dakota State Senate elections, 2010

Nygaard was eligible to seek re-election to the state house but instead ran for the District 17 state senate seat. He defeated Terri Jorgenson (R) in the November 2 general election.

South Dakota State Senate, District 17 (2010)
Candidates		Votes	Percent
Eldon Nygaard (D)		3,396	46.58%
Terri Jorgenson (R)		3,895	53.42%

Campaign donors

2010

In 2010, Nygaard received $8,880 in campaign donations. The largest contributors are listed below.

South Dakota State Senate 2010 election - Campaign Contributions
Top contributors to Eldon Nygaard's campaign in 2010
Clay County Democrats	$1,500
South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association	$1,000
South Dakota Association Of Realtors	$500
South Dakota Assoc Of Specialty Care Provi	$350
Independent Community Bankers Of South Dakota	$300
Total Raised in 2010	$8,880

2008

In 2008, Nygaard collected $8,797 in donations.

His five largest contributors in 2008 were:

Donor	Amount
Clay County Democrats	$3,000
Brian Walton	$560
South Dakota Association of Realtors	$550
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield	$350
South Dakota State Medical Association	$300

Personal

Nygaard and his wife Sherry have two children.

Recent news

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External links

Suggest a link

• South Dakota House of Representatives - Rep. Eldon Nygaard
• Eldon Nygaard campaign website
• Biography from Project Vote Smart
• Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
• Campaign Contributions: 2010, 2008, 2006

References

Political offices
Preceded by Ben Nesselhuf (D)	South Dakota State Senate District 17 2011–2013	Succeeded by Tom Jones (D)
Preceded by -	South Dakota House of Representatives District 17 2007–2011	Succeeded by Tom Jones (D), Jamie Boomgarden (R)