Richard Vasgaard
Richard Vasgaard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from the 16th district | |
| In office January 14, 2025 – August 27, 2025 Serving with Karla Lems | |
| Preceded by | Kevin D. Jensen |
| Succeeded by | John Shubeck |
| Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from the 17th district | |
| In office January 12, 2021 – January 12, 2023 Serving with Sydney Davis | |
| Preceded by | Nancy Rasmussen Ray Ring |
| Succeeded by | Karla Lems Kevin D. Jensen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 18, 1950 |
| Died | August 27, 2025 (aged 75) |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Joyce |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | South Dakota State University (BS) |
Richard George Vasgaard (March 18, 1950 – August 27, 2025) was an American politician. He served as a Republican member for the 17th district in the South Dakota House of Representatives from January 12, 2021 to January 10, 2023. Vasgaard was a farmer and received a bachelor's degree in agronomy from South Dakota State University.[1] After redistricting in 2022, he was defeated in a primary for a second term. He was later elected to a new term in the House in November 2024.
Vasgaard was married to Joyce and had two children.[2] He died in a farming accident on August 27, 2025, at the age of 75.[3][4]
Election history
- 2020 Vasgaard was elected with 4,786 votes; Sydney Davis was also elected with 5,278 votes. They defeated Al Leber who received 3,645 votes and Caitlin Collier who received 3,181 votes.[5]
- 2022 Vasgaard was redistricted into the 16th district, and ran in the Republican primary, but was defeated by Kevin Jensen and Karla Lems. Lems had 1848 votes, Jensen had 1733 and Vasgaard had 1616.[6]
- 2024 Vasgaard was elected to represent the 16th district alongside Lems.[6]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sydney Davis | 5,278 | 31.25% | |
| Republican | Richard Vasgaard | 4,786 | 28.34% | |
| Democratic | Al Leber | 3,645 | 21.58% | |
| Democratic | Caitlin F. Collier | 3,181 | 18.83% | |
| Total votes | 16,890 | 100.0% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
| Republican hold | ||||
References
- ^ "Richard Vasgaard". ballotpedia.org. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
- ^ "Richard Vasgaard's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- ^ "Richard G. Vasgaard". Wass Funeral Chapel - Centerville. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
- ^ Turner County lawmaker dies following farm accident
- ^ "2020 General State Canvass Final Certificate" (PDF). sdsos.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 18, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
- ^ a b "Richard Vasgaard". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 19, 2023.