State Representative Roger DeGroot to run for Re-Election to District 7 State House

State Representative Roger DeGroot to run for Re-Election to District 7 State House

With more than 40 years of service in education, including serving as Superintendent for the Brookings School District, Dr. Roger DeGroot of Brookings announced today that he is running for re-election to the office of State Representative in the District 7 House race, representing the communities of Brookings and Aurora.

Representative DeGroot noted, “During my time as your State Representative, I’ve been an active part of the House Education Committee my first two terms and presently sit on House Local Government. I am also a member of the rules review committee overseeing the rules process for state agencies, and served on the legislative Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee.”

When asked about his vision and reasons for running, DeGroot shared, “Education is a top priority because it’s so central to life in Brookings, but my work in Pierre goes further. We need a government that works-one that values our state employees and university faculty while clearing the path for local businesses to succeed. By supporting both our students and our workforce, we create a South Dakota where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

Roger first won election to serve as District 7 State Representative in 2022. Dr. DeGroot retired in 2015 after serving 40 years in education, with the last 8 as the superintendent of the Brookings School District. Roger began his career as a teacher in 1975. He served as the superintendent of schools in Lennox and Brookings. During his career, he served as an educational leader and mentor to many students and teacher and provided avenues for young professionals to earn advanced degrees.

After retiring, Roger continued his commitment to education by serving on the Brookings School Board and mentoring the next generation of teachers at SDSU and DSU. His leadership earned him the 2021 Distinguished Service Award from the South Dakota School Superintendent Association-a high honor bestowed by his fellow educators. In addition, he was honored as the 2025 Friend of Education by the South Dakota Education Association. He is also a lifelong sportsman and was recently recognized by the South Dakota Wildlife Federation as their Legislator of the Year for his work in advocating for the preservation of wildlife in South Dakota.

Roger and his wife Diane have been Brookings residents for almost 20 years, and are the proud parents of 3 adult children, and 9 grandchildren.

###