Troy Heinert
{{short description|American politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Troy Heinert
|office = Minority Leader of the South Dakota Senate
|term_start = January 8, 2019
|term_end = January 10, 2023
|predecessor = Billie Sutton
|successor = Reynold Nesiba
|state_senate1 = South Dakota
|district1 = 26th
|term_start1 = January 2015
|term_end1 = January 2023
|predecessor1 = Larry Lucas
|successor1 = Shawn Bordeaux
|state_house2 = South Dakota
|district2 = 26th
|term_start2 = January 2013
|term_end2 = January 2015
|predecessor2 = Larry Lucas
|successor2 = Shawn Bordeaux
|birth_name = Troy Everett Heinert
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|7|29}}
|birth_place = Spearfish, South Dakota, U.S.
|death_date =
|death_place =
|party = Democratic
|spouse = Gena Heinert
|education = {{nowrap|Sinte Gleska University (BA)}}
}}
Troy Heinert (born July 29, 1972) is an American politician who served in the South Dakota Senate.
Elected to the Senate in 2014, he was elected in 2015 as Senate assistant minority leader.[https://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/05/23/manning-sanders-advocates-tribes-mother-earth-164564 Sarah Sunshine Manning, "Sanders Advocates for Tribes, Mother Earth"], Indian Country Today, 23 May 2016, accessed 23 May 2016 He was elected minority leader in 2018. He was first elected to the state house in 2012 and served for one term.
Early life and education
Heinert was born in Spearfish, South Dakota.[http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/137817/troy-heinert?flavour=mobile "Troy Heinert"], VoteSmart, 2016 He grew up on a ranch. His father died when he was 12, but he was taken under the wing of a close family friend. He attended local schools, where he graduated with a BS degree in education. He is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indianz.com/News/2016/020482.asp|title = Indian lawmakers voted against transgender discrimination bill in South Dakota}}
Career
Heinert started work as an elementary school teacher, working also as a wrestling coach.[http://www.gctelegram.com/sports/cowboy-business-owner-educator-legislator/article_d4ad6fb2-4edd-5fb6-8ea5-c3d32d5eb5f9.html Brett Marshall, "Cowboy, educator, legislator"], Garden City Telegram, 12 June 2015, accessed 23 May 2016
He first ran for electoral office on the Todd County High School Board, winning a seat and serving for 3 years.{{cite news|last=Montgomery|first=David|title=Candidates seek tribal voice in Pierre|url=http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/candidates-seek-tribal-voice-in-pierre/article_9e434e0a-a222-11e1-932f-001a4bcf887a.html|access-date=19 December 2013|newspaper=Rapid City Journal|date=20 May 2012}}
Heinert and his wife in 2007 became owners of Chute 2, a bar and restaurant attached to the Prairie View country club in Mission. He became close to Jim Korkow, who was friends with his father, especially after his father's death. Korkow has acted as a father to him.
In 2012, Heinert was elected as a Democrat to the South Dakota House of Representatives from District 26A, comprising Todd and Mellette counties.
In 2014, Heinert was elected to the state senate.
He was succeeded in the house from District 26A by Shawn Bordeaux also of Mission.
Personal life
He married Gena and they have two sons and a daughter. They lived in Mission, South Dakota.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{CongLinks|votesmart=137817}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-sd-sen}}
{{s-bef|before=Billie Sutton}}
{{s-ttl|title=Minority Leader of the South Dakota Senate|years=2019–2023}}
{{s-aft|after=Reynold Nesiba}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Heinert, Troy}}
Category:Democratic Party members of the South Dakota House of Representatives
Category:Democratic Party South Dakota state senators
Category:Native American state legislators in South Dakota
Category:People from Spearfish, South Dakota
Category:People from Mission, South Dakota
Category:21st-century members of the South Dakota Legislature