Paul TenHaken

Paul TenHaken
Paul TenHaken
Born	Paul Joseph TenHaken 13 11, 1977
Birthplace	Sioux Center, Iowa, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Businessman, website developer, politician
Known for	Mayor of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; COVID-19 municipal response; downtown redevelopment initiatives
Education	Dordt College (BA) University of Sioux Falls (MBA)
Spouse(s)	Jill TenHaken
Website	[[paultenhaken.com paultenhaken.com] Official site]

Paul Joseph TenHaken (born November 13, 1977) is an American businessman, website developer, and politician who has served as the Mayor of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, since May 15, 2018. Born and raised in the small northwestern Iowa city of Sioux Center, TenHaken built a career in digital marketing and technology before entering public life. He succeeded Mike Huether as mayor after winning the 2018 municipal election, and was subsequently re-elected to a second term. His tenure has been defined by several major civic undertakings, including the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, public health and fitness initiatives, the adoption of an official city flag, and a landmark deal to relocate the Smithfield Foods pork processing plant from downtown Sioux Falls. In June 2025, TenHaken announced that he would not seek a third term or any other public office, confirming his intention to step down when his current term concludes in 2026. In February 2026, he was recognized nationally as the Public Service Honoree for the Excellence in Mentoring Awards in Washington, D.C.

Early Life

Paul Joseph TenHaken was born on November 13, 1977, in Sioux Center, a city in Sioux County, Iowa, in the northwestern corner of the state. He grew up in the community and maintained a fondness for his hometown throughout his adult life. Sioux Center, a predominantly Dutch American community, provided the cultural and social backdrop for TenHaken's formative years. His upbringing in a smaller Iowa town later informed his approach to municipal governance and community engagement in Sioux Falls, which is located approximately 80 miles to the north across the South Dakota border.

TenHaken's path from small-town Iowa to the largest city in South Dakota was shaped by his education and early professional pursuits in the region. He attended local schools in the Sioux Center area before enrolling in college. His connection to the tri-state area of Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota remained strong throughout his career, and he has spoken publicly about how his roots in Sioux Center influenced his values and leadership style.

Education

TenHaken earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dordt College (now Dordt University), a private Christian university located in his hometown of Sioux Center, Iowa. He later pursued graduate studies in business, obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Sioux Falls, a private university in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. His educational background in both the liberal arts and business administration provided the foundation for his subsequent career in digital marketing and technology entrepreneurship.

Career

Business and Technology

Before entering politics, TenHaken established himself as a businessman and website developer in the Sioux Falls area. He was involved in the digital marketing and technology sector, building professional experience that would later inform his approach to city governance. His business career included work related to DataSync Corporation, a technology firm. TenHaken's private-sector experience distinguished him from career politicians and became a central element of his public identity when he transitioned to municipal leadership.

2018 Mayoral Election and Transition

TenHaken won the Sioux Falls mayoral election in 2018, succeeding two-term mayor Mike Huether. The transition into the mayor's office was marked by an emphasis on repairing relationships between the executive branch and the Sioux Falls City Council, which had at times been strained during the Huether administration. TenHaken formally took office on May 15, 2018. His campaign and early tenure drew attention for his background as a technology entrepreneur and his relatively unconventional path to elected office, which included having previously served as a college mascot—a biographical detail that received media coverage.

From the outset, TenHaken sought to establish a collaborative relationship with the city council and city departments, signaling a shift in tone from his predecessor's administration. His transition team focused on governance reforms and communication improvements designed to foster greater transparency and cooperation within Sioux Falls' municipal government.

City Flag Adoption

One of TenHaken's early initiatives as mayor was the adoption of an official flag for the city of Sioux Falls. The effort had its origins in a community-driven design process that began in 2017, when public discussion about creating a distinctive city flag gained momentum. The Sioux Falls City Council approved the official city flag in 2018, shortly after TenHaken took office. The new flag was embraced by the community and became a visible symbol of civic pride in Sioux Falls.

COVID-19 Pandemic Response

TenHaken's first term was significantly shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a pronounced impact on Sioux Falls beginning in the spring of 2020. The city became a national focal point when the Smithfield Foods pork processing plant in Sioux Falls experienced a major COVID-19 outbreak, leading to a temporary shutdown of the facility in April 2020. The outbreak at the Smithfield plant was one of the largest workplace clusters of COVID-19 in the United States at the time and drew national media attention to the city and its response.

In April 2020, TenHaken proposed a stay-at-home order to the Sioux Falls City Council in response to rising COVID-19 case numbers in the city. The proposal came during a period of intense public debate over the appropriate level of government intervention, both locally and nationally. TenHaken and local health officials continued to provide public updates as case numbers fluctuated throughout 2020.

TenHaken's leadership during the pandemic was closely watched, particularly given that South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem adopted a notably less restrictive approach to pandemic mitigation compared to many other states. TenHaken navigated the pandemic response at the municipal level, balancing public health concerns with the economic and social dynamics of the state's largest city. His handling of the crisis, including his engagement with the Smithfield plant situation and his communication with the public, became a defining element of his first term.

Public Health and Fitness Initiatives

During his tenure, TenHaken promoted several public health and fitness programs. He launched the "100 Miles, 100 Days" challenge, encouraging Sioux Falls residents to walk, run, or bike 100 miles over a 100-day period as a community wellness initiative. The challenge was designed to promote physical activity and community engagement, and it became a recurring feature of the TenHaken administration's public programming.

In June 2023, the city announced the installation of an outdoor fitness court, further expanding free fitness infrastructure available to residents. TenHaken also supported the development of mini-pitch soccer fields in core neighborhoods of Sioux Falls, designed to provide accessible recreational opportunities for children and families, particularly in underserved areas of the city.

Smithfield Foods Relocation and Downtown Redevelopment

One of the most consequential developments of TenHaken's tenure was the negotiation of a deal to relocate the Smithfield Foods pork processing plant from its longtime downtown Sioux Falls location to a new facility on the northern edge of the city. The agreement, announced in February 2026, included a $50 million gift from Sanford Health to support the project. The relocation was expected to free approximately 120 acres of downtown land for redevelopment, an area the city designated as the "Sanford District."

The Smithfield plant had been a fixture of downtown Sioux Falls for decades, and the relocation deal represented a major shift in the city's urban landscape and economic planning. TenHaken discussed the redevelopment plans publicly, outlining a vision for the 120-acre site that would transform a significant portion of the city's downtown core. The agreement involved coordination between Smithfield Foods, Sanford Health, and the city government, reflecting the scale of the undertaking.

Capital Investment Program

Under TenHaken's leadership, the city of Sioux Falls pursued a $1 billion capital investment program aimed at infrastructure and development priorities. TenHaken discussed the program publicly in mid-2025, describing its anticipated effects on the city's future growth and development. The capital program reflected the rapid growth of Sioux Falls, which experienced notable population increases during TenHaken's tenure.

Decision Not to Seek Re-election

On June 3, 2025, TenHaken announced that he would not seek a third term as mayor and did not intend to run for any other public office. The announcement confirmed that TenHaken planned to leave public office when his second term concluded in 2026. In his statement, he indicated he was "moving on" from public office to a new chapter. The decision ended speculation about whether TenHaken might seek higher office, such as a congressional seat or the governorship of South Dakota.

Personal Life

TenHaken is married to Jill TenHaken. The couple resides in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. TenHaken has maintained a connection to his hometown of Sioux Center, Iowa, speaking publicly about his affection for the community where he grew up. He has also been noted for his interest in physical fitness, which has been reflected in his public health initiatives as mayor, including the "100 Miles, 100 Days" challenge and the promotion of outdoor fitness infrastructure.

TenHaken once received public attention for being nominated for a "Hottest Husband" contest, a lighthearted distinction reported by regional media.

Recognition

In February 2026, TenHaken was honored as the Public Service Honoree for the 2026 Excellence in Mentoring Awards in Washington, D.C. The national award recognized his contributions to mentoring and public service during his time as mayor of Sioux Falls.

TenHaken's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic drew both local and national attention, particularly in connection with the Smithfield Foods outbreak and his proposals for municipal public health measures. His administration's community wellness programs, including the "100 Miles, 100 Days" challenge and the installation of outdoor fitness courts and mini-pitch soccer fields, were highlighted as examples of municipal efforts to promote public health and recreational access.

The Smithfield Foods relocation deal, announced in the final months of his tenure, was one of the most significant economic development agreements in the recent history of Sioux Falls and represented a legacy project for the TenHaken administration.

Legacy

TenHaken's two terms as mayor of Sioux Falls coincided with a period of significant growth and transformation for the city. Under his administration, Sioux Falls pursued large-scale infrastructure investments, including a $1 billion capital program, and negotiated the relocation of the Smithfield Foods pork processing plant—a move that opened approximately 120 acres of downtown land for future redevelopment as the "Sanford District."

His first term was heavily shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which TenHaken led the city's response to one of the largest workplace outbreaks in the country at the Smithfield plant. His proposal for a stay-at-home order placed him at the center of local and national debates over pandemic policy.

TenHaken's emphasis on public health and community wellness, exemplified by initiatives such as the "100 Miles, 100 Days" challenge, outdoor fitness courts, and mini-pitch soccer fields, contributed to the city's recreational infrastructure during a period of population growth.

His decision to step down after two terms, and his statement that he did not intend to seek further public office, marked the end of an eight-year period of municipal leadership that encompassed both crisis management and ambitious development planning. The adoption of the city flag during his early tenure also contributed to a renewed sense of civic identity in Sioux Falls.