Marty Jackley
Marty Jackley was raised in Sturgis, where he graduated from Sturgis Brown High School in 1988. He earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (1992, cum laude) and a J.D. from the USD School of Law in 1995, then clerked for Chief Judge Richard Battey on the U.S. District Court for South Dakota. In 2006 he was unanimously confirmed as U.S. Attorney for South Dakota, and in 2009 he was appointed South Dakota Attorney General — a role he held through 2019 and reclaimed after winning the 2022 election. He was named National Attorney General of the Year in 2016 and launched his 2026 U.S. House campaign from the Loud American Roadhouse in Sturgis.
Why they’re
Sensible
Jackley has spent essentially his entire career prosecuting cases in South Dakota — small-town state's attorney, U.S. Attorney, then a decade as state AG before coming back for a second run. That has made him the state's most visible voice on fentanyl enforcement, including the Rapid City case where his office won a conviction on distribution-resulting-in-death charges against a dealer who had trafficked an estimated 10,000 pills into the state. He keeps a habit of showing up on bipartisan AG coalitions — 43 attorneys general demanding AI platforms protect kids, 45 on drug-pricing transparency — and speaks of county-level partners as "Republican, Democrat and independent… an important part of our team." An engineer-turned-prosecutor would be a steady, technically minded voice for South Dakota in the House.
Key positions
“My service as Attorney General, United States Attorney, and small-town State's Attorney has prepared me to keep South Dakota families safe.”
“Almost every drug I prosecute in South Dakota came from the southern border.”
“Joined a 43-state bipartisan attorneys general coalition calling on AI companies to stop the spread of harmful content targeting children.”
“Called for Congress to fix legal immigration policy alongside border enforcement when launching his campaign.”
“I recognize that Republican, Democrat and independent elected state's attorneys and sheriffs have all been an important part of our team, and I am committed to serving alongside all of them to protect communities, ensure justice, and support crime victims.”
Notable votes & actions
Also running for
U.S. House · SD At-Large
Every other candidate filed for this seat, listed for transparency. Our Sensible slate reflects the full field — not just a single pick.