Heath Shields Announces for State Treasurer
CUSTER, S.D. (AP) — Heath Shields, a Custer business owner, rancher and conservative activist, announced Tuesday that he will seek the Republican nomination for South Dakota State Treasurer in the 2026 election. Shields enters the race with a platform built around what he calls a “Seven Pillars Plan,” a modernization blueprint aimed at strengthening fiscal management and increasing transparency in the Treasurer’s Office.
Shields, who works in real estate and operates a ranch and agritourism business in the Black Hills, said his decision to run is driven by a sense of duty rather than political ambition.
“Leadership isn’t found in ambition — it’s born from a calling,” Shields said. “I feel called to serve South Dakota — not merely to maintain expectations, but to raise them. Our citizens deserve a Treasurer’s Office that doesn’t settle for ‘good enough,’ but one that constantly strives to deliver more transparency, more efficiency and more accountability than ever before.”
Shields said South Dakotans value stability in financial stewardship, but he believes the moment calls for elevating the office beyond routine administration.
“I don’t want to just give South Dakotans what they’ve come to expect. I want to raise their expectations of the Treasurer’s Office altogether,” he said.
The centerpiece of Shields’ campaign is the Seven Pillars Plan, which he describes as a practical and conservative roadmap for strengthening the management of state funds, returning unclaimed property more quickly, improving citizen access to financial information and protecting the state’s long-term investments.
“South Dakotans deserve to see clearly where their money is, how it’s protected and what we’re doing to secure their financial future,” Shields said. “My goal is simple: build the most modern, transparent and responsive Treasurer’s Office in state history.”
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Shields’ Seven Pillars Focus On:
1. Modernizing outdated processes
2. Strengthening fiscal security through disciplined, conservative management
3. Increasing transparency into state accounts and investments
4. Improving and simplifying communication with citizens
5. Accelerating the return of unclaimed property
6. Promoting financial responsibility and literacy statewide
7. Protecting South Dakota’s permanent trust funds for future generations
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Shields said true public service requires more than maintaining the status quo — it requires advancing systems that support taxpayers and preparing state financial institutions for the future.
“South Dakotans deserve a Treasurer who leads with purpose, integrity and vision,” Shields said. “This office must be built for the future — not just maintained for the moment.”
Shields has been active in Republican grassroots efforts and statewide advocacy initiatives. His background includes small-business ownership, ranch operations and experience navigating complex financial and regulatory systems as a licensed real estate professional.
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Heath Shields is a South Dakota entrepreneur, ranch owner and licensed realtor serving communities across the Black Hills. He is known for his involvement in conservative grassroots organizations, his focus on fiscal responsibility and his commitment to service-driven leadership.
Makes sense why he’s had billboards with his face all over it in Sioux Falls for years now.
I do believe in the power of marketing, and smart but cost effective marketing is one key component of finding a way to return more unclaimed property to the people of South Dakota.
Mr. Haeder has billboards with his pate all over the place, but you are saying Mr. Shields does as well. Interesting.
Mr. Shields must not have been paying attention to this office “he has been called to serve” for the last 7 years. Treasurer Haeder has done an amazing job on all this cats “pillars” and much more.
Taffy Howard would be a good candidate.
Is this guy from Montana?
I was born and raised in the Republican stronghold of Texas with deep rooted conservative beliefs and values. Although Texas is a great state, it lacked the low population density, cool climate, and natural beauty that we wanted in a place to call home.
Taffy is all show and no go. She would soon find she is out of her depth and the state of South Dakota would suffer.
No, Taffy is an idiot, no someone we want as state treasurer
I agree that Josh has done an amazing job; however, he is unable to run for a 3rd term. I feel that I can expand on the work that Josh has done and continue to improve the office. For example Josh has made huge gains in increased the unclaimed property returned from approximately $22M to $50M, however, during the same period of time the amount of unclaimed property taken in has increased from $75M to $308M. This is one opportunity for continued improvements.
Ya this shield dude is an out of state, job hopper that is looking for a 6 figure salary on the back of South Dakota tax payers. Agri tourism ???? Is that another word for hobby farm or do them sell honey at a farmers market? This guy is as fake as his black cowboy hat. Sorry John Dutton ( Mr shields) this is South Dakota not where you came from.
The current treasurer cannot run for a third term as per the law in South Dakota.
Didn’t they literally JUST move here? With money from a state with an inflated economy, to put his face all over town then control our money? A hobby ranch real estate guy? Cmon man. Move here sure, but don’t run for office unless you grew up here.
Where is he from? Has Amber Hulse ever heard of him?
I would encourage you to reach out to Amber Hulse about my involvement in District 30.
Since she will literally saying anything if it benefits here, I’ll pass.
Your right Miss Hulse knows how to follow to get what she needs done to advance her modeling career. Hard pass we don’t need another show horse in our government. Or anyone she supports for her circus.
One of the most insincere manipulators I’ve met in awhile. Her agenda is helping herself. If that’s your crowd, I’m out.
I wish AFP would distance themselves from her.
Move here sure, but don’t run for office unless you grew up here. Very narrow minded
Never heard of him.
Pledges to modernize outdated processes. Uses an AOL email address.
Hmm.
hahahaha! Probably using that dial up modem still.
Yes, but he’s modern. He’s probably using two bonded 64k ISDN lines.
Heath “AOL” Shields for Treasurer. “You’ve got money!” HA!
I think you just created the new tagline for unclaimed property. 😂
Some of us never quit placing America first 😉
Trump scum
If you dislike Donald Trump or Charlie Kirk then you probably won’t agree with me on most issues. God bless you and have a great day!
You are worshiping false gods Exodus 20:3–6 REPENT !
3 points here
1.) let’s all remember Kristi’s “ Pillars” and any candidate that bring that is full of BS.
2.) he clearly is out of touch and is just looking for a paid holiday for 4 years on the back of tax payers as the current treasurer has done more than the last 4 combined in all of the subject Mr. Shields talks about
3.) who uses AOL for an email anymore,,,, that’s suspect enough for me .
Take away this guy is a phony, appears by his linked in he is a job hopper that wants to collect a paycheck for 4 years. Solid no from me
We all know how well that “transparency” pillar turned out with the former governor.
Thank you for sharing your opinion. 3 of the 4 “jobs” on my LinkedIn are businesses that I owned, and the other position was serving on the board of directors for a multi-billion dollar organization as a volunteer. I built a business from the ground up that produced over $100M in revenue under my stewardship. I am also a current perspective member of American Mensa. I chose aol as my email for this campaign because I think it’s a funny play on putting America first, plus my gmail app is used exclusively for my real estate business. I like the compartmentalization of two email provides for two different endeavors. If you believe I’m seeking this position for a salary I would invite you to visit with other Republican leaders who know me well such as Tim Goodwin or Amber Hulse. I’m confident that your opinion would quickly change if we had the opportunity to connect and get to know one another better. Please feel free to reach out via email or the phone number on my campaign website. Have a blessed day.
Hee hee… I wonder if he’s really a “perspective member of Mensa?” Or even a prospective one?
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AGBNmvVEr/?mibextid=wwXIfr I’d love to look up your profile in Mensa if you were willing to share your name….and thanks for catching my typo. Have a blessed day.
From my perspective, that doesn’t qualify as a typo, especially by a prospective Mensa member…sorry…could not resist.
grudznick, not usually noted for my acumen in that arena, is not lacking, but does not call out and brag about it. My experiences are with fellow Mensans who start out their conversations with “I am in Mensa, and…” is that those people shouldn’t be in Mensa, and are out of touch with the general populace. Which, of course, grudznick is.
Mensa, my arse. You and Goodwin have your own chapter for the District Numbered 30, I am sure. Ms. Hulse is too busy making her ownself look good to attend your meetings.
Using Goodwin as a reference is very weak, try again
Ya Monroe is a tried and true conservative that is from South Dakota and has the real experiences in South Dakota. Mr. Shields is an implant that is trying to change our South Dakota. I’m with Monroe.
Monroe is good.
Monroe is a nice guy. Far from a rockstar, however. Not sure I want a 70 year old former chiropractor as my State Treasurer. Seems like he, too, is just looking for something to be relevant. Shields certainly isn’t the answer, either. This is largely an administrative position, but it does need competence and I’d also prefer to not see my Treasurer in his own TV ads. Sort of tired of politicians that want to be in front of the camera all the time. What’s Erin Tobin running for?
I prefer to see them in ads if they are interacting with the public who elected them. It makes more sense than hiring a paid actor.
I remember seeing Daugaard in ads recruiting MN businesses and listening to his radio ads about DUI’s. I guess it got my attention and i still remember them. They made me pay attention.
It’s not as risky as hiring an unknown actor who’s doing some work for money and doing who knows what in their personal lives while being the face of public awareness education they were never elected to be associated with.
This Mr. Shields fellow is from the District Numbered 30, the insanest district of them all, and while a recent out-of-stater he is not an original Howite or Napolian. Mr. Monroe seems a swell enough young fellow, by grudznick’s measure, and an original member of the bonecracker caucuses, but I fear there could be some overgodding being put into our treasury with either of these candidates.
I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you to address any of your concerns.
grudznick will speak with the Conservatives with Common Sense Breakfasting Group tomorrow and see if a guest speaker slot might be open. In the meantime, tomorrow’s Opening Rant will be about Mr. Weiland and his latest attempts to initiate measures friendly to the liberal left cause.
I will be speaking at the Charles Mix Lincoln Day dinner this event in Platt, SD. I am not familiar with the Conservatives with Common Sense Breakfast group. Could you email me more information about your group?
It’s wonderful that we live in a state where we have multiple conservative candidates willing to serve the people. I would love to earn your vote, but I have heard nothing but positive things about Monroe so I respect your position. Thank you for your post.
How long have you lived in SD?
My wife and I have called South Dakota home for the last 5 years.
I’ve never met a voter who believed a person was better qualified to represent them because that candidate lived somewhere one year or five years longer than another candidate. A person who has lived in South Dakota their entire life is not “more South Dakota” than someone who has lived here a year and is proud to call our great state home. To suggest otherwise is arrogant and ignorant.
I guess I am arrogant or ignorant. Five years is one thing but you suggest someone living here for a year even and is proud to live here can be as much South Dakotan as those of us who grew up here, went to college here, raised our family here, etc etc. I’m all for new people who love to live here – happy to have you here as well Heath. But I’ve seen it over and over from people who retire here who think they know better when coming from California or Virginia or wherever. Spend some time here, get around to the entire state, and let those roots sink deep in the South Dakota soil. Heath with five years is getting there and maybe he’s the right guy, but maybe he’s not. I can tell you off the cuff that I don’t care for the vibe that he thinks he has all the answers for this office after five years of being here. There’s a lot of history he just doesn’t know about with our state government.
Having said that, it’s also certainly not Monroe. I know we can do better than that. Likable but way over his head in terms of capability.
I would welcome the opportunity to have a deeper discussion with you via email, on the phone, or in person to learn the history from you that you feel is most relevant to this position, as well as to tell you about my history. I’ve been a successful entrepreneur in Texas who purchased a single point failing car dealership and rebuilt it into an auto group with multiple locations grossing over $100M in sales during my stewardship. I was also a founding partner on a $17M 82 acre members only private shooting range. My wife and I sold our businesses in Texas and moved to South Dakota in 2020. We purchased a rural property that had previously been a kids horse camp for 20 years. I remodeled the buildings myself and we reopened as an agrotourism destination. We received accolades that included being voted the best Hipcamp in South Dakota after only one year. Although we enjoyed the hospitality business I decided that having our land open to the public wasn’t congruent with the peace and quiet that we love, so we closed the agrotourism component and I got my real estate license. We have been extremely active in the Custer County Republicans and my wife was both a State and a National RNC delegate in 2024. By the time I would take office in 2027 we will have 7 years of history in the area. I hope that helps you get to know me a little better, and I truly wish that you will reach out directly to continue this discussion. The last thing I want to share is first and foremost I am a Christian. Every decision I make in life is rooted in my dedication to Jesus Christ. No matter the results of my campaign if this process results in me sharing the gospel to anyone I will call my run for office a success. God bless you and I hope to hear from you soon.
Keep campaigning on this stie you will have to buy some of Pats trinkets
‘congruent’ Sorry sir you lost 80% of South Dakotans
So no South Dakotans should do these jobs?
Baranco is a Texan, Shields is a Texan.
I remember voting against Teresa Bray because she had only lived in SD for 3 years.
Throwing out $100 million numbers in comments seems snake oily to me.
I appreciate your point and the way you said it, but stand by my own. A person is not more Christian based on their date of confirmation nor more South Dakotan based on their date of entry. Thanks for sharing respectfully.
BAH. The overgodders can measure theirownselfs, but grudnzick will measure the level of us South Dakotans. If you don’t meet the minimum measure, you are not one.
BAH. You must be an out-of-stater or Johnny-come-lately, like California Carley.
That kind of condescension and judgment devalues your opinion. You don’t need to insult those who haven’t lived here as long as you have, that’s not very South Dakotan.
BAH.
actually it is the recent arrivals who appreciate South Dakota the most. Those of you who have never lived anywhere else have NO IDEA how fortunate you are to be here.
The recent arrivals have been absolutely crazy. They want to make sure S.D. doesn’t become whatever state they just moved from, while not understanding what has made S.D. so great and the state they wanted to move to in the first place. They’ve been destructive to our politics and have done nothing but try to set us back to the Stone Age.
Indeed.