Lt Governor Tony Venhuizen

Tony Venhuizen is a lifelong South Dakotan. He serves as the 40th Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota.

An Armour native, Venhuizen earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and history from South Dakota State University in 2005 and his juris doctorate from the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law in 2008. He was a 2004 recipient of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship.

Venhuizen represented District 13, which includes portions of Lincoln and Minnehaha counties, in the South Dakota State Legislature from 2023-2025. During that time, he served as vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee and as a member of the Legislative Procedure Committee. In 2024, he chaired the State Legislature’s 100th Session Planning Committee.

In addition to his legislative service, Venhuizen served for ten years in the Governor’s Office, including time as chief of staff to Governor Dennis Daugaard and Governor Kristi Noem. While in the Governor’s Office, Venhuizen chaired the 2012 Open Government Task Force, and from 2011-18 chaired the State Board of Finance. Venhuizen also served two stints on the Board of Regents; he was appointed by Governor Mike Rounds, serving from 2003-08, and again by Governor Noem, serving from 2021-23.

Venhuizen is a member of the board of directors of the South Dakota Historical Society Foundation and of the Trail of Governors Foundation, and a former member of the board of directors of the SDSU Research Park and of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce.

Venhuizen and his wife, Sara, have been married for more than 20 years and have three school-age children: Henry, Elizabeth, and Madeleine. Sara is an electrical engineer and a distinguished alumna of South Dakota State University. The family attends Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Sioux Falls.