Chris Kassin

Chris Kassin is an American politician and member of the Republican Party representing District 17 in the South Dakota House of Representatives, a position he has held since 2023. He is 44 years old and resides in Vermillion, South Dakota, though his hometown is Huron, South Dakota. He is married to Katie and has two children, Collins and Kellen .

District 17 encompasses the southeast corner of South Dakota, including communities such as Vermillion, Elk Point, North Sioux City, and surrounding areas.

Education

Chris holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in public administration, both from the University of South Dakota. During his time at the university, he was a member of the men's basketball team.

Political Experience

Since joining the South Dakota House of Representatives in 2023, Chris has been recognized for his fiscal conservatism and was selected by legislative leadership to serve on the Appropriations Committee, where he plays a key role in shaping South Dakota's state budget. In this capacity, he examines testimony from state agencies and organizations that depend on state funding while balancing their needs with taxpayers' interests. He was also handpicked by leadership to represent South Dakota at the Emerging Legislator Leadership Conference.

Prior to his legislative career, Chris held the position of Vice President of Strategy and Athletic Director at Mount Marty University in Yankton. He also worked as a men's basketball assistant coach at the University of South Dakota. Currently, he serves as Vice President of External Relations at the University of South Dakota Foundation.

Chris is committed to advancing legislation on government transparency, particularly regarding ballot questions and unclaimed property, while supporting education funding and workforce development initiatives.