Ben Nesselhuf
Ben Nesselhuf (born October 13, 1975, in Rapid City, South Dakota) was a Democratic member of the South Dakota State Senate from 2005 to 2011, representing the 17th District. He announced in October 2009 that he would be seeking the Democratic nomination in the race to be South Dakota's next Secretary of State.[1] Nearly a year later, however, Nesselhuf lost in the general election on November 2, 2010, after receiving slightly more than 39 percent of the vote.
Nesselhuf worked as a community supports instructor for South East South Dakota Activity Center Inc. in 1996. He was a manager for Prison Congregations of America in 1999. Nesselhuf worked as a campaign manager for Hohn for Congress in 2000. He then served in the South Dakota State House from 2000 to 2004.
According to his LinkedIn entry, Nesselhuf managed the Jim Mowrer for Congress campaign from July 2013 to December 2014 and chaired the South Dakota Democratic Party from January 2011 to June 2013. He became vice president for resource development at Jackson Recovery Centers in January 2015.[2]
Education
Nesselhuf attended both the University of South Dakota and Dana College.[2]
Committee assignments
State Senator Nesselhuf last served on the following legislative committees:
- Commerce (Member)[3]
- Education (Member)
- Legislative Procedure (Member)
Endorsements
Secretary of State Project
- See also: Secretary of State Project
Nesselhuf received the endorsement of the Secretary of State Project (SoS), a 527 political organization whose purpose as described by its founder, Becky Bond, was "wrestling control of the country from the Republican Party" through the process of "removing their political operatives from deciding who can vote and whose votes will count," often including the office of Secretary of State.[4][5] SoS receives its funding from the George Soros-backed Democracy Alliance.[6]
Elections
2010
| South Dakota Secretary of State, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Jason Gant |
54.2% | 163,828 | |
| Democratic | Ben Nesselhuf | 39.2% | 118,635 | |
| Constitution | Lori Stacey | 6.6% | 19,971 | |
| Total Votes | 302,434 | |||
| Election results via South Dakota Secretary of State | ||||
2008
On Nov. 4, 2008, Nesselhuf won re-election to the 17th District Seat in the South Dakota State Senate, defeating opponent Jerad Higman (R).[7]
Nesselhuf raised $37,413 for his campaign while Higman raised $57,858.[8]
| South Dakota State Senate, District 17 (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Ben Nesselhuf (D)
|
5,389 | 59.38% | ||
| Jerad Higman (R) | 3,686 | 40.62% | ||
Campaign contributions
2008
According to Follow the Money, Nesselhuf raised '$37,413 in 2008 for his state senatorial campaign.[9]
Listed below are the top five contributors:
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Clay County Democrats | $3,000 |
| South Dakota Education Association | $3,000 |
| Equality South Dakota | $2,500 |
| Tom Warner | $1,000 |
| Curt Hohn | $1,000 |
2006
According to Follow the Money, Nesselhuf raised $13,334 in 2006 for his state senatorial campaign.[10]
Listed below are the top five contributors:
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Clay County Democrats | $2,000 |
| Ed & Diane Nesselhuf | $900 |
| South Dakota State Medical Association | $700 |
| South Dakota Association of Realtors | $700 |
| South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizers | $500 |
2004
According to Follow the Money, Nesselhuf raised $12,538 in 2004 for his state senatorial campaign.[11]
Listed below are the top five contributors:
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Clay County Democrats | $2,900 |
| Ed Nesselhuf | $800 |
| South Dakota State Medical Association | $500 |
| South Dakota Association of Special Care Providers | $450 |
| South Dakota Retail Liquor Dealers Association | $300 |
2002
According to Follow the Money, Nesselhuf raised $9,723 in 2002 for his state house campaign.[12]
Listed below are the top five contributors:
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Clay County Democrats | $2,500 |
| South Dakota Democratic Party | $1,300 |
| South Dakota Education Association | $300 |
| South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association | $250 |
| David DeRouchey | $250 |
2000
, Nesselhuf raised $16,502 in 2000 for his state house campaign.[13]
Listed below are the top five contributors:
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| South Dakota Democratic Party | $7,123 |
| Dash PAC | $1,850 |
| Clay County Democratic Party | $1,500 |
| South Dakota Education Association | $399 |
| James W. Abbott | $250 |
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Nesselhuf is single.
Contact information
Capitol Address:
500 East Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 773-3821
District Address:
Post Office Box 68
Vermillion, SD 57069-0068
Phone: (605) 624-6178
Campaign Address:
Ben Nesselhuf for South Dakota
1016 Westend Drive
Vermillion, SD 57069
See also
External links
- South Dakota Legislature - Ben Nesselhuf profile
- Ben Nesselhuf's Facebook profile
- State Senate Campaign contributions: 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008
Footnotes
- ↑ Flying Tomato Farms, "B.J. Running for Secretary of State!" 27 Oct. 2009
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 LinkedIn, "Ben Nesselhuf," accessed February 16, 2016
- ↑ South Dakota Legislature - List of Standing Committees
- ↑ Secretary of State Project - 2010 Races
- ↑ American Spectator, "SOS in Minnesota" 7 Nov. 2008
- ↑ Discover the Networks - Democracy Alliance
- ↑ 2008 Election Results, South Dakota Senate, District 17
- ↑ District 17 South Dakota Senate Spending, 2008
- ↑ Follow the Money - Campaign Contributions for Ben Nesselhuf, 2008
- ↑ Follow the Money - Campaign Contributions for Ben Nesselhuf, 2006
- ↑ Follow the Money - Campaign Contributions for Ben Nesselhuf, 2004
- ↑ Follow the Money - Campaign Contributions for Ben Nesselhuf, 2002
- ↑ Follow the Money - Campaign Contributions for Ben Nesselhuf, 2000
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by H. Junior Engbrecht |
South Dakota House - District 17 2001–2004 |
Succeeded by Jamie Boomgarden |
| Preceded by John Reedy |
South Dakota Senate - District 17 2005–2011 |
Succeeded by Eldon Nygaard |
