Richard L. Sattgast is an American politician who serves as the

state auditor of South Dakota The state auditor of South Dakota is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of the U.S. state of South Dakota. Twenty-seven individuals have held the office of state auditor since statehood. The incumbent is Rich Sattgast, a Republican ...

for the second time having served two terms previously (2003–2011). He formerly served as

state treasurer In the state governments of the United States, 48 of the 50 states have the executive position of treasurer. New York abolished the position in 1926; duties were transferred to New York State Comptroller. Texas abolished the position of Texas ...

(2011–2019).

Early life and education

Sattgast was born in

Spearfish, South Dakota Spearfish (Lakota: ''Hočhápȟe'') is a city in Lawrence County, South Dakota. The population was 12,193 at the time of the 2020 census. History Before the Black Hills Gold Rush of 1876, the area was used by Native Americans (primarily bands ...

, graduating from Spearfish High School. He received a

bachelor's degree A bachelor's degree (from Middle Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six ...

from

Black Hills State University Black Hills State University (BHSU) is a public university in Spearfish, South Dakota. Close to 4,000 students attend classes at its campus in Spearfish, at sites in Rapid City and Pierre, and through distance offerings. Enrollment comes from ...

and a

master's degree A master's degree (from Latin ) is an academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice.

from

New Mexico Highlands University New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) is a public university in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Founded in 1893, it has satellite campuses in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Farmington and Roswell. NMHU has an average annual enrollment of approximate ...

. Sattgast also served in the

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...

and in the

South Dakota National Guard The South Dakota National Guard is part of the South Dakota Department of Military & Veterans Affairs. It was created in 1862 as the State Militia. Its headquarters is located in Rapid City, South Dakota. It consists of the South Dakota Army Natio ...

Career

Sattgast was elected state auditor in 2002, defeating

Democrat Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

Dick Butler with 52% of the vote. He was reelected unopposed in 2006. In 2010, Sattgast ran for state treasurer and won, defeating Democrat

Tom Katus Thomas M. Katus (born February 13, 1940) is a former Democratic member of the South Dakota Senate, representing the 32nd district during the 2006 and 2007 legislative sessions. Katus was defeated for re-election in 2008. He was nominated unopp ...

with 65% of the vote. He was reelected as treasurer in 2014, defeating Democrat Denny Pierson and

Libertarian Libertarianism (from french: libertaire, "libertarian"; from la, libertas, "freedom") is a political philosophy that upholds liberty as a core value. Libertarians seek to maximize autonomy and political freedom, and minimize the state's e ...

Ken Santema with 61% of the vote.

Personal life

Sattgast and his wife, Donna, have four children.

References

External links

State Treasurer website
, - , - {{DEFAULTSORT:Sattgast, Rich 21st-century American politicians Black Hills State University alumni Date of birth missing (living people) Living people New Mexico Highlands University alumni People from Spearfish, South Dakota South Dakota National Guard personnel South Dakota Republicans State Auditors of South Dakota State treasurers of South Dakota Year of birth missing (living people)