Michael H. Rohl
Michael H. Rohl is a lifelong Brown County resident and small-business general manager who earned a degree from Drake University. First elected to the South Dakota Senate in 2020, he represents the four-county northeastern corner of the state — Brown, Day, Marshall, and Roberts — and has authored 21 bills that became law over three terms. He was named a 2022 Council of State Governments "20 Under 40" honoree for bipartisan leadership and recognized by the South Dakota Farmers Union for service to agriculture.
Why they’re
Sensible
Michael Rohl has quietly become one of northeast South Dakota's most productive legislators, passing 21 bills into law in three terms — all with bipartisan support. He delivered $600 million in water-infrastructure investment for his rural district, authored SB111 (2026) to give South Dakotans ownership of their personal social-media data (passed 34–0), and championed SB3 (2026) to eliminate permit fees for routine home repairs. Rohl also pushed SJR501 to put stronger legislative term limits before voters — a self-limiting move that signals he's in it to accomplish things, not accumulate power. His record on fiscal responsibility, rural infrastructure, and constituent access makes him a strong Sensible fit for District 1.
Key positions
“Secured $600 million for new water infrastructure and $60 million for water/sewer projects for Northeast South Dakota.”
“SB3 prohibits counties, municipalities, and townships from requiring a building permit for the repair or replacement of certain existing exterior parts of an owner-occupied residential structure and for interior alterations that don't affect structural systems.”
“SB101 deregulated government to help mom-and-pop gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and small retailers hire the workers they need.”
“SJR501 proposes a constitutional amendment capping state legislators at 16 consecutive years of service in a single chamber, then requiring a two-year break before running for the other chamber.”