Dusty Johnson

Dusty Johnson was born in Pierre, South Dakota, in 1976.[1] He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of South Dakota in 1999 and a master's in public administration from the University of Kansas in 2002.[2] He previously worked on the staff of Gov. Mike Rounds (R), chief of staff to Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R), and as vice president for Vantage Point Solution.[3] He previously served on the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission from 2005 to 2011.[4]

Dusty Johnson did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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Campaign websiteJohnson's campaign website stated the following:Students First Education Dusty will make education THE top priority and ensure every South Dakota student gets off to a good start. He will be laser focused on improving student achievement, from math and reading scores to learning skilled trades. Dusty will empower parents to make the best decisions about their children's education. Dusty will fight to make college and tech school affordable for South Dakota families, giving every hardworking student a chance to build their life here in the Rushmore State.Safe Communities Our communities are made safer by the police, sheriffs, and deputies that man the thin blue line every day. Dusty will always back the blue. He will fight to get fentanyl off our streets and methamphetamine out of our kids’ hands. He supports stronger penalties for traffickers, accountability for repeat offenders, and standing with victims. Safe communities start with strong law enforcement and a commitment to public safety.Agriculture for the Next GenerationOur farmers and ranchers raise the best crops and livestock in the world. We need them to keep it up. Dusty will keep farmers farming by ensuring landowners have the right to build and prosper on their land. We need an ag economy that is focused on the future. The success of today’s producers will be the strength of rural South Dakota for decades to come. Let South Dakota Build AgainSouth Dakota should be a state of builders, makers, and doers. We need to get government out of the way so that families and businesses of all sizes can thrive. South Dakota needs to protect private property rights, including the private property right to build on your own land. Dusty will remove abusive overregulation and eliminate duplication. South Dakotans are hard working and innovative. They deserve the chance to build something great. Government Integrity Dusty will identify and eliminate wasteful, abusive, or improper spending. He has plans to prevent conflicts of interest and increase transparency at all levels of government, so South Dakotans can continue to have confidence in a government that works for them.Earn a Dollar, Keep a Dollar South Dakota is among the lowest taxed states in the nation, and Dusty will keep it that way. He will fight to cut property taxes for homeowners, farmers, and ranchers – without defunding the police, our roads, or our schools. Dusty will fight for a government that does more with less and is efficient, effective, and focused on keeping more money in the pockets of South Dakotans.South Dakota is for FamiliesDusty is the proud father of three sons. He will fight for every South Dakota child, including the unborn. Dusty will fight to protect kids, whether at home or on the internet. South Dakota will become the best state in the nation to raise kids.Backbone of South Dakota Dusty is a limited government conservative. He knows government should be constrained to a few key areas, and one of them is building and maintaining decent infrastructure. South Dakotans deserve quality roads, bridges, and infrastructure. They deserve an efficient, helpful voice when getting a driver’s license, vehicle registration, or campsite reservation. Dusty will make sure government works for South Dakotans.The Great Outdoors Our land is our heritage in South Dakota. Our culture was born from working the land but also enjoying it. From hunting and fishing to hiking and camping, South Dakotans are at their best when they are outdoors together. Dusty will expand access for every South Dakotan to our great outdoors.Make South Dakota a Healthcare Hub South Dakota is blessed with world-class hospital systems. We can leverage those to train more South Dakotans and provide better healthcare across the state. We should be training more doctors and nurses to meet our healthcare needs in the years to come.— Dusty Johnson's campaign website (March 8, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Dusty Johnson did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Dusty Johnson did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Dusty Johnson did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Dusty Johnson did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Johnson's campaign website stated the following:

CONSTITUTION AND FEDERALISM

Our Constitution is a pillar of American exceptionalism. It guarantees our people freedom of speech, freedom to practice a chosen faith, and the right to keep and bear arms. These guarantees, and others in the Constitution, make up the fabric of who we are as Americans. I will fight every day to ensure that our Constitutional rights are preserved.

Our Constitution also gave us the blueprint for successful governance – a limited national government and strong, responsive state governments. Most of the problems with our bloated, unaccountable federal government come from abandoning this blueprint by taking power from the people and the states and giving it to the national government. I’ll work every day to return the power to our communities and our people.

FISCAL DISCIPLINE

In South Dakota, we believe in low taxes and balanced budgets – and I will carry that belief with me to Congress. The Tax Cut and Jobs Act will help the middle class and, as we’ve seen, will provide a boost to our economy. It is also projected to increase our debt. It will be incumbent upon us to take the ballooning national debt seriously and right-size our government before it is too late.

REGULATION

The federal government has gotten too big, too complicated, and too intrusive. The federal government needs to get out of our daily lives and out of the way of business. I’ll work to rein in out-of-control bureaucracies that rule by regulation, and return the power to make laws to our states, communities, and people.

VALUES

I believe in the sanctity of life. I’ve supported pro-life candidates and pro-life causes for decades. I’m a member of SD Right to life. Taxpayer dollars should never fund abortion. I’ll fight for Life if elected to Congress.

I believe the right to keep and bear arms. The Founders placed this right in the Constitution. It is not simply another law that we can change on a whim. It is a right held by our people that needs to be defended. I own guns. I use guns. I’m a member of the NRA. I support greater reciprocity for concealed carry. I’ll remain a strong proponent of the Second Amendment.

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture is South Dakota’s number-one industry and it underpins the culture of our state. We live in a state where we trust our neighbors and look out for each other – and in the eyes of the east and west coasts, even our largest cities are small towns. I’ll work hard on behalf of our farmers and ranchers and our way of life.

Maintaining strong agriculture in our country is a matter of national security. Our farmers and ranchers are the very best, most productive in the world. We need to keep it that way. I’ll keep a close eye on the forthcoming 2018 Farm Bill and will be an advocate for productive, strong agriculture in South Dakota and across the country.

SUPPORT FOR THE ARMED FORCES

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We owe our way of life to the brave men and women who wear the uniform, and I will be a strong advocate for our troops. I will also support a foreign policy that is based on our national interests and the principle of "peace through strength" and support for our longtime allies - so that if our troops are put in harm's way, it is only as a last resort and in the service of our national interests.

I will also be an advocate for our veterans and ensure that our nation keeps the promises we made to these heroes.

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—Dusty Johnson’s campaign website (2018)[16]