Michelle Hentschel

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Michelle Hentschel

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Personal

Religion

Lutheran

Profession

CPA, chief financial officer

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Personal LinkedIn

Michelle Hentschel (Democratic Party) ran for election to the South Dakota House of Representatives to represent District 10. She lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Hentschel completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Michelle Hentschel attended the University of South Dakota for undergraduate study. She attended Gonzaga University for graduate study. Hentschel's career experience includes working as a certified public accountant, and as a chief financial officer with the nonprofit organization EmBe.

Elections

2020

See also: South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 10 (2 seats)

Incumbent Steven Haugaard and incumbent Doug Barthel defeated Michelle Hentschel in the general election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 10 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steven Haugaard (R)	37.4	6,527
✔		Doug Barthel (R)	35.5	6,188
		Michelle Hentschel (D)	27.1	4,736

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 17,451
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Michelle Hentschel advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 10.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Gary Leighton (D)

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Doug Barthel and incumbent Steven Haugaard advanced from the Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 10.

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Michelle Hentschel completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hentschel's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm a fourth generation South Dakotan, but it hasn't exactly been my life's goal to become a politician. A good wife, mom and daughter, yes. A skilled accountant, sure. But the desire to run for office is something new. When I hear about the sorts of bills that are taking up time in our legislature - ones that marginalize vulnerable populations, create road blocks to success for our children and send the message that South Dakota is something less than the caring community I call home - I wonder who is asking for these changes. I don't hear it from my friends and neighbors in District 10, so I know there's a void to fill. The people in my district deserve to have their views represented in Pierre, and I'm willing to listen. I'm willing to put my integrity as a CPA, my analytical skills, and my critical thinking to work for you if you'll give me the honor.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• South Dakota is a great place to raise a family and I'd like to ensure it stays that way by seeking to fully fund our commitment to K-12 education and make technical schools, colleges, and universities more affordable for in-state students I would also work with industry to develop post-secondary programs that keep our best and brightest here in South Dakota.
• Our rich soil, clean air and vast, beautiful outdoor spaces make South Dakota one of the last best places.  My goals are to protect the waters of the state by ensuring enforcement of designated use standards, ensure that air and water quality are not sacrificed for industry, development or corporate agriculture interests and promote buffer strips, low-impact development practices and other water-protecting measures to mitigate impact to our natural resources as our population grows.
• The wastefulness and lack of transparency in Pierre is disrespectful to constituents and their resources.  I'd like to change this by researching the origin of bills introduced to understand whether South Dakota interests are being advanced, reallocating resources from court battles over frivolous legislation to areas of need, and listening to the people of District 10 in order to focus on their priorities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Equality

South Dakota is a state full of well-meaning, neighborly people and I want to make sure our laws reflect that by:

-Standing behind our state's 1973 ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment

-Supporting the rights of all vulnerable groups and ensuring all have a place at the table

-Removing barriers to disadvantaged populations so all have the opportunity to succeed

Healthcare
Access to affordable health care continues to be one of our greatest challenges.  I believe the following pursuits would help:

-Support for Medicaid Expansion so we can make use of federal funds to bolster our rural hospitals and nursing homes

-Health industry reform to limit lawsuit expenses, prescription costs, insurance industry overhead and executive profits, while ensuring we can retain high quality health care professionals in our state

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, integrity and transparency.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

After working in accounting for over 25 years, I understand very well the reality of limited resources.  That's why I believe it is so important to listen hard to the stories of the people I seek to represent.  How do you want your resources used?  What issues are important to you?  Do you feel your current representation in Pierre understands your needs? I will work stay connected with you - to make sure that your voice is heard and that your natural resources and your hard-earned tax dollars are put to the best possible use.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Legislators should, first and foremost, represent the views of the people in their district. Representatives are stewards of the state's resources and should seek to do the most good for the people of South Dakota while considering the needs of current and future citizens.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I dusted a furniture store weekly for several years starting at age nine, but my first official paycheck was from working in a hometown grocery store as a teenager. I stocked shelves, took inventory, swept, mopped and even cleaned the "meat room" (admittedly my least favorite duty). My favorite task was running the cash register because I would get to visit with the customers for a moment while I rang up their order. Since my family farmed during the 1980's when times were very hard, it was the money tucked away from these jobs, as well as babysitting, that provided me with funds for books in college. I have never forgotten the opportunities provided by the people in my home town. Between jobs, scholarships and a sense of community belonging, I had a solid foundation in my Clear Lake, SD, roots.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Rumbleseat by John Mellencamp - I like the last verse because he's turned a bad situation around and is high on life and full of hope.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

I believe South Dakota will struggle to provide the skilled workforce needed to attract high quality jobs to the state. I am also concerned that population growth and the trend toward corporate agriculture will put our natural resources at risk.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Building relationships with other legislators is essential to ensuring all constituencies are represented in the legislature. Our current dynamic in Pierre, with one party holding the vast majority of power, does not allow for informed debate or even fair dialogue over which issues should be given priority.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

The following committees would comprise areas where I have experience and could offer the best insight:

Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
Appropriations Committee
Commerce and Energy Committee
Education Committee
Government Operations and Audit Committee
Taxation Committee

Joint Subcommittee on Revenue Projection

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I watch the way Linda Duba, Kelly Sullivan, and Erin Healy interact with their constituencies and I hope to have that level of ongoing dialogue with the people of District 10.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

No

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

When talking with voters in District 10, I've heard continuing frustration with the amount of time and resources wasted in Pierre on bills that are not introduced to serve the interest of South Dakotans. I've also heard stories of families impacted by our state's decision not to implement Medicaid Expansion - especially those with elderly family members needing skilled nursing care. These families are scared about what may happen to their ability to care for their loved ones and continue working if something isn't done.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2020 Elections

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External links

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Footnotes

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Current members of the South Dakota House of Representatives

Leadership

Speaker of the House:Jon Hansen

Majority Leader:Scott Odenbach

Minority Leader:Erin Healy

Representatives

District 1

Nicholas Fosness (R)

Logan Manhart (R)

District 2

David Kull (R)

John Sjaarda (R)

District 3

Al Novstrup (R)

Brandei Schaefbauer (R)

District 4

Dylan Jordan (R)

Kent Roe (R)

District 5

Josephine Garcia (R)

Matt Roby (R)

District 6

Aaron Aylward (R)

Tim Czmowski (R)

District 7

Roger DeGroot (R)

Mellissa Heermann (R)

District 8

Tim Reisch (R)

Tim Walburg (R)

District 9

Tesa Schwans (R)

Bethany Soye (R)

District 10

Bobbi Andera (R)

Erin Healy (D)

District 11

Brian Mulder (R)

Keri Weems (R)

District 12

Amber Arlint (R)

Greg Jamison (R)

District 13

John Hughes (R)

Jack Kolbeck (R)

District 14

Tony Kayser (R)

Taylor Rehfeldt (R)

District 15

Erik Muckey (D)

Kadyn Wittman (D)

District 16

Karla Lems (R)

District 17

Chris Kassin (R)

William Shorma (R)

District 18

Julie Auch (R)

Mike Stevens (R)

District 19

Jessica Bahmuller (R)

Drew Peterson (R)

District 20

Jeff Bathke (R)

Kaley Nolz (R)

District 21

Jim Halverson (R)

Marty Overweg (R)

District 22

Lana Greenfield (R)

Kevin Van Diepen (R)

District 23

Spencer Gosch (R)

Scott Moore (R)

District 24

Will Mortenson (R)

Mike Weisgram (R)

District 25

Jon Hansen (R)

Leslie Heinemann (R)

District 26A

Eric Emery (D)

District 26B

Rebecca Reimer (R)

District 27

Elizabeth May (R)

Peri Pourier (D)

District 28A

Jana Hunt (R)

District 28B

Travis Ismay (R)

District 29

Terri Jorgenson (R)

Kathy Rice (R)

District 30

Tim Goodwin (R)

Trish Ladner (R)

District 31

Mary Fitzgerald (R)

Scott Odenbach (R)

District 32

Steve Duffy (R)

Nicole Uhre-Balk (D)

District 33

Phil Jensen (R)

Curt Massie (R)

District 34

Heather Baxter (R)

Mike Derby (R)

District 35

Tina Mulally (R)

Tony Randolph (R)

Republican Party (63)

Democratic Party (6)