Mike Rounds, an American politician and member of the Republican party, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014 to represent South Dakota. Prior to this, he served as the governor of the state from 2003-2011. Rounds, who was born in Huron, South Dakota, is the oldest of 11 children and graduated from South Dakota State University with a degree in political science.
Rounds entered politics in 1990 when he successfully ran for the South Dakota Senate, eventually serving as majority leader before being elected governor in 2002. As governor, he focused on improving the state’s higher education system, overseeing the establishment of new research facilities and doctoral programs. Rounds, a Roman Catholic, also signed legislation that banned most abortions in South Dakota, a move that was later repealed by a voter referendum.
In 2012, Rounds announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate despite facing allegations of misconduct during his time as governor. These allegations involved embezzlement and bribery in connection to an investment program for immigrants. However, he won the general election in 2014 and began representing South Dakota in the U.S. Senate the following year.
Rounds’ political career has been marked by his conservative views and his focus on issues such as education and abortion. Despite facing controversy, he has continued to serve in the Senate and represent the people of South Dakota.
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