Governor Appoints Curd to Vacant Senate Seat

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - Gov. Dennis Daugaard is appointing Republican Blake Curd to fill a vacant South Dakota Senate seat in Sioux Falls.

The former state lawmaker will represent District 12, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Sen. Mark Johnston.

The governor says that as an Air Force veteran and a physician, Curd has great intelligence and ability and a commitment to public service. Daugaard says the former legislator "can hit the ground running."

Curd, a 45-year-old orthopedic surgeon, represented District 12 in the state House of Representatives from 2009 through 2011.

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