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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011
CONTACT: Tony Venhuizen or Joe Kafka at 605-773-3212
Gov. Daugaard To Appoint Kent Juhnke to Fill District 21 Senate Vacancy
PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced today that he will appoint Rep. Kent Juhnke of Vivian to the South Dakota Senate from District 21 to succeed Sen. Cooper Garnos.
"I have known Kent for more than 10 years, and he is a thoughtful and conscientious legislator," the Governor said. "He has served his district and our state effectively in the House, and I know he will also be a great senator."
Juhnke has been a state representative for 11years, from 1999-2005 and again from 2007 to the present. Sen. Garnos has announced that he will resign from the Senate later this fall to become principal of Lyman High School and Presho Elementary School.
Juhnke's appointment will not be effective until Garnos officially resigns.
“It is humbling to be offered this Senate seat, and I’m honored that the Governor considered me,” Rep. Juhnke said. “I will continue to work hard for District 21. This was a family decision, and I am thankful for their support.”
The appointment of Juhnke to the Senate means that there will now be a vacancy in the House from District 21.
"I appreciate that Sen. Garnos gave me so much advance notice of his resignation," Gov. Daugaard said. "That gives Kent plenty of time to prepare for the next legislative session, and it will also allow me to name a new House member in timely fashion."
The Governor had earlier asked the public to submit names for the District 21 Senate opening; he is now asking the public to nominate individuals to fill the District 21 House seat vacancy.
"We received many good names to consider for the Senate vacancy," Gov. Daugaard said. "I will consider those names for the House vacancy, and would invite the public to continue to submit nominations."
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*Juhnke (JUHN’-kee)