Chris Nelson (politician)

Chris Nelson is the former Secretary of State of South Dakota. A Republican, he was a candidate to become U.S. Representative from South Dakota's At-large congressional district in 2010 but lost to Kristi Noem in the Republican primary.

Nelson gained prominence as a key constitutional figure in any possible replacement of Democratic U.S. Senator Tim Johnson, who suffered stroke-like bleeding in the brain caused by a congenital malformation known as arteriovenous malformation.

In the event of the office being "vacant" (through death or incapacitation; the definition and meaning of which is subject to various interpretations by constitutional law experts), South Dakota law provides for the governor to name a replacement. Johnson declined to run for re-election for health reasons and was succeeded by the former Governor of South Dakota Mike Rounds, a Republican.

As secretary of state, Nelson received the 2010 Excellent Service to South Dakota County Officials award from the South Dakota County Officials Association; the 2004 Hazeltine/Taylor award from South Dakota Kids Voting; and the 2003 Excellence in South Dakota Municipal Government award from the South Dakota Municipal League. In 2005, he was appointed as a National Governors Association representative on the United States Election Assistance Commission Board of Advisors.

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