Chris Kassin
Chris Kassin has served in the South Dakota House of Representatives since January 2023, representing District 17. He is Vice President of External Affairs at the University of South Dakota Foundation, and his wife Katie is a physician assistant. He earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice and an M.P.A. from USD and previously served as Athletic Director at Mount Marty University. He and Katie live in Vermillion with their two children.
Why they’re
Sensible
Kassin is a second-term incumbent who earned a seat on the House Appropriations Committee, giving him direct influence over the state budget. He has sponsored legislation on student-teacher stipends, government transparency, and school safety, reflecting a pragmatic conservative approach. His professional background in university administration and nonprofit fundraising equips him to navigate complex institutional relationships in Pierre. He participates openly in candidate forums and has built a reputation for calm, solutions-oriented engagement across District 17.
Key positions
“Serving District 17 in the South Dakota House of Representatives has been an honor.”
“By working collaboratively with superintendents at the local level and prioritizing research and best practices, we can create productive and safe school environments.”
Also running for
SD State House · District 17
Every other candidate filed for this seat, listed for transparency. Our Sensible slate reflects the full field — not just a single pick.