Kenneth D. Stofferahn

Stofferahn was born in Lakefield, Minnesota. He farmed for many years near Humboldt, South Dakota, earned a Bachelor's degree from South Dakota State University in 1957, worked for the National Farmers Organization in the 1960's, and was active in South Dakota politics from 1972-1997.^[2]

Stofferahn ran for the United States Senate in the Republican primary in 1972, coming in fourth in a field of five (17%).^[3]

Stofferahn was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives as a Republican in 1974, representing Minnehaha County from 1975-1976.^[1][4]

Having changed political party affiliation, Stofferahn ran for the United States Senate in the Democratic primary in 1978, coming in second (45%).^[5]

Stofferahn was elected to the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission as a Democrat in 1978, earning 55% of the statewide vote.^[6]

Stofferahn ran for the United States Congress (South Dakota, 2nd District) as a Democrat in 1980, coming in second (42%).^[7]

Stofferahn was re-elected to the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission as a Democrat in 1984, earning 61% of the statewide vote.^[8]

Stofferahn ran for Governor of South Dakota in the Democratic primary in 1986, coming in third (19%).^[9]

Stofferahn was re-elected to the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission as a Democrat in 1990, earning 52% of the statewide vote.^[10]

Stofferahn retired from politics in 1997. He died on March 18, 2024, at his home in Lincoln, Nebraska, at the age of 89.^[11][12]