Dusty Johnson

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Dusty Johnson
BornDustin Michael Johnson
30 9, 1976
BirthplacePierre, South Dakota, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician
Known forU.S. Representative for South Dakota's at-large congressional district
EducationUniversity of South Dakota (BA)
University of Kansas (MPA)
Children3
Website[https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/ Official site]

Dustin Michael Johnson (born September 30, 1976), known as Dusty Johnson, is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for South Dakota's at-large congressional district since January 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Johnson has built a political career rooted in South Dakota government and public service, beginning with his tenure on the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission from 2005 to 2011 and continuing through his role as chief of staff to Governor Dennis Daugaard from 2011 to 2014.[1] Between his state-level political career and his election to Congress, Johnson worked in the private sector as a vice president at Vantage Point Solutions, a telecommunications consulting firm based in Mitchell, South Dakota.[2] A member of the centrist Problem Solvers Caucus, Johnson has positioned himself as a moderate Republican during his time in Congress. On June 30, 2025, he announced his candidacy for Governor of South Dakota in the 2026 election.[3]

Early Life

Dustin Michael Johnson was born on September 30, 1976, in Pierre, South Dakota, the state capital.[1] He grew up in South Dakota and has maintained deep ties to the state throughout his career. Johnson was raised in Pierre, which would later become central to his political life as it serves as the seat of state government.[4]

Education

Johnson attended the University of South Dakota, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.[2] He subsequently pursued graduate education at the University of Kansas, completing a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree.[2] Johnson was also recognized as a Truman Scholar, a prestigious fellowship awarded to college students who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to public service.[5]

Career

South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (2005–2011)

Johnson began his career in elected office when he won a seat on the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in 2004, taking office in January 2005. He succeeded James A. Burg on the commission.[1] The PUC is a three-member elected body responsible for regulating public utilities, including telecommunications, electric, natural gas, and pipeline services within the state. Johnson served on the commission for six years, during which time he developed expertise in energy policy and telecommunications regulation.[2] He departed the commission in January 2011 and was succeeded by Chris Nelson.[1]

Chief of Staff to Governor Dennis Daugaard (2011–2014)

Upon leaving the Public Utilities Commission, Johnson was appointed chief of staff to newly inaugurated Governor Dennis Daugaard on January 8, 2011.[1] In this role, Johnson served as Daugaard's top aide and was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the governor's office. He succeeded Neil Fulton in the position.[6]

Johnson served as chief of staff until November 2014, when he resigned from the position. His departure was reported by USA Today, which noted Johnson's decision to leave state government.[7] He was succeeded as chief of staff by Tony Venhuizen, who had previously served in the Daugaard administration.[8]

Private Sector Career

After leaving the governor's office, Johnson transitioned to the private sector, joining Vantage Point Solutions in Mitchell, South Dakota, as a vice president. Vantage Point Solutions is a telecommunications consulting and engineering firm that serves rural telecommunications providers.[2] Johnson's experience on the Public Utilities Commission, where he had gained familiarity with telecommunications regulation, informed his work in the private sector.

2018 Congressional Campaign

In 2017, Johnson announced his intention to run for South Dakota's at-large congressional seat in the 2018 election cycle, following the decision by incumbent Representative Kristi Noem to seek the governorship.[9] Johnson campaigned on his record of public service in South Dakota and his experience in both government and the private sector. He won the Republican primary and went on to win the general election, succeeding Noem as the state's sole representative in the U.S. House.[1]

U.S. House of Representatives (2019–present)

Johnson was sworn into office on January 3, 2019, representing South Dakota's at-large congressional district.[1] As the state's only member of the U.S. House, Johnson represents the entirety of South Dakota and its population.

Political Positioning and the Problem Solvers Caucus

In Congress, Johnson has been a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan group of House members that seeks to find common ground on legislative issues. His membership in the caucus has contributed to his reputation as a moderate within the Republican conference.[4] During his tenure, Johnson has at times broken with the majority of his party on significant votes. He voted to revoke President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the southern border, supported keeping Representative Liz Cheney as Republican Conference Chair, and joined all Democrats in voting to approve legislation to establish the January 6th Commission to investigate the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.[1]

Legislative Work

Johnson has focused on several policy areas during his time in Congress, with particular emphasis on agriculture, telecommunications, and rural development — issues of direct relevance to his South Dakota constituents.

In December 2025, Johnson achieved a legislative milestone when the ePermit Act, which he co-led with Representative Scott Peters (D-CA), passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The bipartisan bill sought to digitize federal permitting processes, reflecting Johnson's interest in leveraging technology to improve government efficiency.[10]

On agricultural policy, Johnson has been an advocate for updating the Farm Bill, a comprehensive piece of legislation that governs federal agricultural and food policy. In September 2025, Johnson and Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) introduced the Balanced Agricultural Support and Equity (BASE) Act, legislation aimed at providing an overdue update to base acre calculations used in federal farm programs.[11] In February 2026, Johnson expressed confidence that an updated Farm Bill would advance through Congress, describing it as a priority for the agricultural community.[12][13]

Johnson has also addressed housing policy, writing in a February 2026 column that the United States faced a shortage of 5.5 million housing units and advocating for increased housing supply to meet demand.[14]

Reelection Campaigns

Johnson has been reelected to the U.S. House multiple times since his initial victory in 2018, continuing to represent South Dakota's at-large district.[15] His electoral record in the state reflects the breadth of his support across South Dakota.[16]

2026 Gubernatorial Campaign

On June 30, 2025, Johnson announced that he would run for Governor of South Dakota in the 2026 election.[3] As of February 2026, Johnson was actively campaigning while continuing to serve in Congress. During a visit to the Siouxland area in February 2026, Johnson discussed both the potential for a government shutdown and his gubernatorial campaign with constituents and students at Dakota Valley High School in North Sioux City.[3]

Personal Life

Johnson has three children.[1] He has maintained his residence in South Dakota throughout his career in both state and federal government.[4] Johnson's personal and professional life has remained closely tied to the state, where he grew up, attended college, and built his political career.

Recognition

Johnson was selected as a Truman Scholar during his undergraduate education, an award granted by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation to students who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential and a dedication to careers in public service.[5] The scholarship is one of the most competitive merit-based awards available to American college students.

In Congress, Johnson's bipartisan legislative efforts have drawn attention, particularly through his work with the Problem Solvers Caucus and his sponsorship of legislation that has garnered support from both Republican and Democratic colleagues. The passage of the ePermit Act through the U.S. House in December 2025 represented one of Johnson's notable legislative accomplishments, demonstrating his ability to advance bipartisan legislation.[10]

Johnson's congressional office has also maintained a commitment to public engagement, including offering internship programs for students interested in government service. In February 2026, his office announced it was accepting applications for summer 2026 internships in Washington, D.C.[17]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "JOHNSON, Dusty".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=J000301.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Dusty Johnson Speaker Profile".South Dakota Public Utilities Commission.http://puc.sd.gov/energyconf/speakers/johnson.aspx.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "SD Congressman Dusty Johnson discusses government shutdown, campaign for governor".KTIV.2026-02-19.https://www.ktiv.com/2026/02/19/congressman-dusty-johnson-visits-siouxland-area-discusses-shutdowns-various-topics/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "About Dusty".Office of U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson.https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/about.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Truman Scholars".Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation.https://www.truman.gov/search-our-scholars?field_profile_name_at_award_value=&field_profile_selection_year_value=&field_profile_state_tid=All&field_institution_name_value=&page=131.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Governor's Office".State of South Dakota.2010-12-29.https://web.archive.org/web/20101229052033/http://sd.gov/governor.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ MontgomeryDavidDavid"Dusty Johnson to resign".USA Today.2014-10-15.https://www.usatoday.com/story/davidmontgomery/2014/10/15/dusty-johnson-resign/17302121/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ MontgomeryDavidDavid"Venhuizen named chief of staff".Argus Leader.2014-11-06.https://www.argusleader.com/story/davidmontgomery/2014/11/06/venhuizen-chief-of-staff/18588905/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "Dusty Johnson planning run for Congress in 2018".KSFY.2016-12-12.http://www.ksfy.com/content/news/Dusty-Johnson-planning-run-for-Congress-in-2018-401516756.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Johnson's Bipartisan Digital Permitting Bill Passes U.S. House".Office of U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson.2025-12-09.http://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnsons-bipartisan-digital-permitting-bill-passes-us-house.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Johnson, Budzinski Legislation Provides Overdue Base Acre Update".Office of U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson.2025-09-25.http://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-budzinski-legislation-provides-overdue-base-acre-update.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "Congressman Dusty Johnson Confident In Passage Of Updated Farm Bill".KCCR-AM.2026-02-20.https://www.kccrradio.com/2026/02/20/congressman-dusty-johnson-confident-in-passage-of-updated-farm-bill/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "Johnson Sees Updated Farm Bill on the Horizon".KXLG.2026-02-24.https://www.mykxlg.com/news/national/johnson-sees-updated-farm-bill-on-the-horizon/article_d996e6b0-e2cf-4a5c-8d3a-0223015931ec.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "Building a Better America".Office of U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson.2026-02-17.https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/weekly-column/building-better-america.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "Dusty Johnson kicks off reelection campaign".NewsCenter1.https://www.newscenter1.tv/dusty-johnson-kicks-off-reelection-campaign/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "Election Statistics".Office of the Historian, U.S. House of Representatives.http://history.house.gov/Institution/Election-Statistics/Election-Statistics/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Johnson's Office Now Accepting Summer 2026 Internship Applications".Office of U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson.2026-02-10.https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnsons-office-now-accepting-summer-2026-internship-applications.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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