Vernon L. Larson
Vernon L. "Vern" Laron (b. October 25, 1948, Vivian, South Dakota) is the former Republican South Dakota Commissioner of School and Public Lands. He first assumed the office on August 15, 2013, when previous commissioner Jarrod Johnson's resignation took effect. It was announced at the time of his appointment that he would not seek election to the position in the 2014 election.[1] With this appointment, Larson became the first person in South Dakota history to serve in three different state constitutional offices.[2]
Biography
Larson was the longest serving constitutional officer in the history of South Dakota. He served as state auditor from 1979 to 2003. In the 1998 election he was unopposed, receiving 100 percent of the vote. It was the first time in the state's history a statewide constitutional officer had no opponent. From 2003 to 2011, he was the state treasurer, and was unopposed in his 2006 re-election bid. Larson was named a Toll Fellow/Outstanding Emerging Leader by the Council of State Government in 1993.[3]
Education
- B.A. Northern State University[4]
Political career
South Dakota Commissioner of School and Public Lands (2013-2015)
Larson was appointed South Dakota Commissioner of School and Public Lands to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Jarrod Johnson. Johnson's resignation and Larson's appointment both took effect on August 15, 2013.[1]
South Dakota Treasurer (2003-2011)
Larson served two consecutive terms as South Dakota Treasurer. He was first elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006.[1][5]
South Dakota State Auditor (1978-2003)
Larson served six terms as South Dakota State Auditor beginning in 1978.[1]
Elections/Appointments
2014
At the same time Larson was appointed to South Dakota Commissioner of School and Public Lands, it was announced that he would not seek an elected term in the 2014 election.[1] He stated his decision not to run was based on the fact that others were already expressing interest in the seat for 2014, saying, "There are already people that were expressing interest in the job [...] I don’t think it’s my place to run for the job in (a situation) like that.”[2]
2013
Larson was appointed South Dakota Commissioner of School and Public Lands to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Jarrod Johnson. Johnson's resignation and Larson's appointment both took effect on August 15, 2013.[1]
2006
On November 7, 2006, Vernon L. Larson won re-election to the office of South Dakota Treasurer. He ran unopposed in the general election.
| South Dakota Treasurer, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Vernon L. Larson Incumbent |
100% | 200,909 | |
| Total Votes | 200,909 | |||
| Election results via South Dakota Secretary of State. | ||||
2002
Due to a constitutional amendment that took effect with the general election in 1992, Larson was term-limited from seeking the office of auditor in 2002. Instead he ran for South Dakota Treasurer in 2002 and won the election.[5]
On November 5, 2002, Vernon L. Larson won election to the office of South Dakota Treasurer. He defeated Scott McGregor (D) in the general election.
| South Dakota Treasurer, 2002 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Vernon L. Larson |
58.2% | 181,126 | |
| Democratic | Scott McGregor | 41.8% | 130,099 | |
| Total Votes | 311,225 | |||
| Election results via South Dakota Secretary of State. | ||||
1998
Larson was re-elected South Dakota State Auditor for a sixth consecutive term in 1998.[1]
1994
Larson was re-elected South Dakota State Auditor for a fifth consecutive term in 1994.[1] Due to a constitutional amendment, the office of auditor became term limited to two consecutive terms. The law only applied from the 1992 general election forward, so Larson was able to seek the office in 1994, and again in 1998.
1990
Larson was re-elected South Dakota State Auditor for a four consecutive term in 1990.[1]
1986
Larson was re-elected South Dakota State Auditor for a third consecutive term in 1986.[1]
1982
Larson was re-elected South Dakota State Auditor for a second consecutive term in 1982.[1]
1978
Larson was first elected South Dakota State Auditor in 1978.[1]
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
- South Dakota Commissioner of School and Public Lands
- Natural Resources Commissioner
- Gov. Dennis Daugaard
- Jarrod Johnson
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 South Dakota State News, "Governor Daugaard To Appoint Vern Larson As Commissioner Of School And Public Lands," accessed August 13, 2013
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Argus Leader, "Public Lands commissioner won't run in 2014," accessed August 14, 2013
- ↑ South Dakota School and Public Lands, " Commissioner Larson," accessed October 25, 2013 (dead link)
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Vernon Larson's Biography," accessed August 13, 2013
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Follow the Money, "Career fundraising for Vernon L. Larson," accessed August 13, 2013
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jarrod Johnson (R) |
South Dakota Commissioner of School and Public Lands 2013–2015 |
Succeeded by Ryan Brunner (R) |
| ||||||||||||||
