Mike Rounds

Marion Michael " Mike" Rounds ( born October 24, 1954 in Huron, Beadle County, South Dakota) is an American politician ( Republican). From 2003 to 2011 he served as the 31st Governor of the State of South Dakota.

Early years

Rounds was born as the eldest of eleven children. He was named after a fallen during World War relatives. His father Don Rounds worked for the government of South Dakota, his brother Tim is a member of the parliament of this state. He holds a degree in political science at South Dakota State University; this he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. During his studies he met his future wife Jean know. They have been married since 1978 and have four children.

Political rise

Between 1991 and 2000 rounds sitting in the Senate of South Dakota. Since 1995 he was a leader of the Republican Party. During this time he worked successfully with Governor Bill Janklow and had a significant share in many of its draft legislation. After he had reached in 2000, the constitutionally prescribed maximum terms of office in the State Senate, he had to leave this body. In December 2001, Rounds announced his candidacy for the governorship. At this time, it was considered unlikely that he could have a chance to win the primaries of his party. Two other candidates, Mark Barnett and Steve T. Kirby, were regarded as favorites. After the campaign was run hard and dirty between the two favorites to Rounds could stay out of these battles and run his own campaign. This he managed to prevail in the primaries with 44.3 % of the vote against his rival. Barnett came to 29.5 % and 26.1% on Kirby. In the actual election on 5 November 2002 Rounds came to 56.8 % of the votes and was thus chosen to Democrat James W. Abbott as the new governor.

Governor of South Dakota

After a re-election in 2006 Rounds went to a second term. Among other things, he has worked for better education policies in South Dakota. He also adopted a law on better monitoring of the pharmaceutical industry and fought for environmental protection and the creation of new recreation centers. He also presented a concept for the promotion of economic growth of the state. During his tenure, but also found the first execution has been held since 1947.

Rounds was temporarily acted as a Republican presidential candidate in 2008, then played but no role in the primaries of his party, in which it became clear relatively early on a majority for John McCain as their presidential candidate.

On January 8, 2011 handed Rounds, who was allowed to stand, according to the state constitution for a third, the governorship to his former Lt. Governor Dennis Daugaard.