Don Haggar launches campaign for South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. Departs from Americans for Prosperity.
Sioux Falls, SD – January 5, 2026 “After eight incredible years at Americans for Prosperity, I’m stepping away to run for the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission,” said Don Haggar. “The policy victories we’ve achieved together—from tax relief and healthcare reforms to protecting free speech and running historic door-knocking campaigns that helped flip Senate seats to the Republican Party have made a real difference in people’s lives. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and grateful to have worked alongside so many passionate advocates. Now, I’m excited to bring that same commitment to fighting for affordable energy, reliable infrastructure, and consumer-focused regulation to the Public Utilities Commission.”
During his tenure at AFP, first as South Dakota State Director and later as Regional Vice President, Don Haggar led transformative policy victories and historic grassroots campaigns that advanced economic freedom, lowered costs for families, and expanded opportunity across the state and region.
Key accomplishments in South Dakota included working on support of streamlining elections by moving all municipal, county, and school board elections to either the primary or general election dates, enhancing voter participation. In healthcare, Don Haggar championed association health insurance plans that saved small family farms tens of thousands of dollars in health insurance costs, scope of practice expansions for certified registered nurse (CRNs), physician assistants (PAs), and dental professionals, and direct primary care legislation that promoted affordable, patient-centered options.
Education reforms under Don Haggar’s leadership expanded the insurance premium tax credit scholarship program twice, opened high school activities to home-schooled children, and implemented campus free speech protections. Economic wins included cutting the state sales tax from 4.5% to 4.2%, passing innovative regulatory sandbox legislation to foster entrepreneurship, and successfully defeating a ballot measure that would have restricted free speech.
As Regional Vice President, Don Haggar directed massive grassroots electoral efforts, including leading teams in Ohio and Montana that each knocked over one million doors to mobilize voters and help elect Republicans to U.S. Senate seats formerly held by Democrats..
This is yet another glaring example of the GOP’s reckless assumption that anyone—regardless of their qualifications—can hold critical positions of power. Their politicization of public utilities has undermined our ability to prioritize the best interests of both our state and the nation. As a result, we find ourselves falling woefully behind other states and countries in developing our utilities, a stark reflection of GOP incompetence. We are ill-prepared for the impending surge in energy demands driven by data centers, and it is imperative that we reclaim informed and accountable leadership to safeguard our future.
I’m skeptical but will with hold comment until Grudznick weighs in 💥
Is Ed Randazzo still thinking about it? Years and years of sucking up should finally pay off. 💥Although rumor is pipeline/data center Greta may run. If she does it’s her seat. For freedom. And online beef sales I guess. Greta and Kristi Fiegen will kill development in this state. But that’s ok. Because of freedom. And bedazzling. And because Nebraska and North Dakota wanted the business and tax revenue in the first place.
He gave a few reason and “truth stretching” to not vote for him. Now give me reason to vote for Don.
Home school kids had access to activities prior to anything Don did. What a lying POS.
Pass on anything related to AFP.
Good guy.
Rumor has it he was basically forced out…
Who will replace him? It will be interesting to see if AFP does anything. It’s been a quiet 8 years.
Don Haggar, a true conservative South Dakota, is an EXCELLENT CHOICE for PUC.
Godspeed Don!!!
I’ll pass on Don. We have enough old people clinging to power.
It’s time we talk about how the PUC should be a gubernatorial appointment with senate confirmation. Or it is too soon to say we should place a higher threshold for competent people to regulate our states utilities?
Don is a nice human being. He is ineffective in his positions both public and in politics. This is a perfect definition of a person looking for a steady paycheck or as the long-term politicians like to point out (Jensen, May, Hansen) he is a “career politician”.
So Don has no energy, infrastructure, or utilities experience? Responsible for lowering the sales tax in a state where our 2nd leading industry is tourism//visitor spending and placing a heavier burden on those paying property taxes? Lobbying against Public Schools that 87 percent of the kids in South Dakota choose or rely on? Seems like a perfect fit………..
If his biography above is true, he is taking responsibility for the mess our state is in with the candidates AFP is pushing, revenue issues, lack of affordable housing, and failing infrastructure in nearly every city. Don does seem like a very nice fella, but maybe retirement is a better option for him and for our future generation’s sake.