Kenneth D. Stofferahn

Kenneth D. Stofferahn was an American politician. He served in the South Dakota House of Representatives as a Republican and on the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission as a Democrat.

Life and career

Stofferahn was born in Lakefield, Minnesota. He farmed for many years near Humboldt, South Dakota, earned a Bachelor's degree from South Dakota State University in 1957, worked for the National Farmers Organization in the 1960's, and was active in South Dakota politics from 1972-1997.
Stofferahn ran for the United States Senate in the Republican primary in 1972, coming in fourth in a field of five.
Stofferahn was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives as a Republican in 1974, representing Minnehaha County from 1975-1976.
Having changed political party affiliation, Stofferahn ran for the United States Senate in the Democratic primary in 1978, coming in second.
Stofferahn was elected to the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission as a Democrat in 1978, earning 55% of the statewide vote.
Stofferahn ran for the United States Congress as a Democrat in 1980, coming in second.
Stofferahn was re-elected to the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission as a Democrat in 1984, earning 61% of the statewide vote.
Stofferahn ran for Governor of South Dakota in the Democratic primary in 1986, coming in third.
Stofferahn was re-elected to the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission as a Democrat in 1990, earning 52% of the statewide vote.
Stofferahn retired from politics in 1997. He died on March 18, 2024, at his home in Lincoln, Nebraska, at the age of 89.