Troy Heinert

Troy Heinert
Minority Leader of the South Dakota Senate
In office
January 8, 2019 – January 10, 2023
Preceded byBillie Sutton
Succeeded byReynold Nesiba
Member of the South Dakota Senate
from the 26th district
In office
January 2015 – January 2023
Preceded byLarry Lucas
Succeeded byShawn Bordeaux
Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives
from the 26th district
In office
January 2013 – January 2015
Preceded byLarry Lucas
Succeeded byShawn Bordeaux
Personal details
Born
Troy Everett Heinert

(1972-07-29) July 29, 1972 (age 51)
Spearfish, South Dakota, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseGena Heinert
EducationSinte Gleska University (BA)

Troy Heinert (born July 29, 1972) is an American politician who served in the South Dakota Senate.

Elected to the Senate in 2014, he was elected in 2015 as Senate assistant minority leader.[1] He was elected minority leader in 2018. He was first elected to the state house in 2012 and served for one term.

Early life and education[edit]

Heinert was born in Spearfish, South Dakota.[2] He grew up on a ranch. His father died when he was 12, but he was taken under the wing of a close family friend. He attended local schools, where he graduated with a BS degree in education.[3] He is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.[4]

Career[edit]

Heinert started work as an elementary school teacher, working also as a wrestling coach.[3]

He first ran for electoral office on the Todd County High School Board, winning a seat and serving for 3 years.[5]

Heinert and his wife in 2007 became owners of Chute 2, a bar and restaurant attached to the Prairie View country club in Mission. He became close to Jim Korkow, who was friends with his father, especially after his father's death. Korkow has acted as a father to him.[3]

In 2012, Heinert was elected as a Democrat to the South Dakota House of Representatives from District 26A, comprising Todd and Mellette counties.[2]

In 2014, Heinert was elected to the state senate.

He was succeeded in the house from District 26A by Shawn Bordeaux also of Mission.

Personal life[edit]

He married Gena and they have two sons and a daughter.[3] They lived in Mission, South Dakota.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Sarah Sunshine Manning, "Sanders Advocates for Tribes, Mother Earth", Indian Country Today, 23 May 2016, accessed 23 May 2016
  2. ^ a b "Troy Heinert", VoteSmart, 2016
  3. ^ a b c d Brett Marshall, "Cowboy, educator, legislator", Garden City Telegram, 12 June 2015, accessed 23 May 2016
  4. ^ "Indian lawmakers voted against transgender discrimination bill in South Dakota".
  5. ^ Montgomery, David (20 May 2012). "Candidates seek tribal voice in Pierre". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved 19 December 2013.

External links[edit]

South Dakota Senate
Preceded by Minority Leader of the South Dakota Senate
2019–2023
Succeeded by