Ken Knuppe

Ken Knuppe is a member of the Republican Party, who ran for the governor of South Dakota in the South Dakota gubernatorial election in 2010. In a Republican primary election on June 8, 2010, Knuppe lost to Lt. Gov. [Dennis Daugaard].[1][2] Knuppe received just 3.8% or 3,186 of the 83,832 ballots cast.[1][2]

If Knuppe had become governor, Knuppe would have been the third cowboy in South Dakota history to be elected to the state's top office.[3]

Apart from his political ambitions, he is a rancher and lives near Buffalo Gap, South Dakota.[3][4]

As a rancher, Knuppe eventually became president of South Dakota Stock Growers Association.[5] He then spent three years lobbying for the Stock Growers at the legislature in Pierre, the capital of South Dakota.[6] During that time, he became interested in politics.[3]

Knuppe grew up in New Underwood, South Dakota. He attended South Dakota State University where he met his wife Monica. The two moved to a ranch 30 miles northeast of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota.[3] They raised four children: Clay, Richard, Kendra and Kerry.[7]