Biography
Nicole (Nikki) Gronli is the Democratic nominee for South Dakota's open at-large House seat. She is a small-business owner and marketing professional who led USDA Rural Development in South Dakota from 2022 to 2025 and previously served as vice chair of the South Dakota Democratic Party. She says she is running to advocate for South Dakota and an economy that works for everyone.[1][2]
Gronli graduated from Brookings High School in 1991, according to a 2025 news report, and says she considers Brookings and Aurora jointly her home; she now lives in Dell Rapids.[1][2] She describes herself as a small-business owner with nearly 30 years of experience in marketing, communications and leadership, and news coverage identifies her as president of the marketing company Flatlander Strategies.[1][2]
Gronli served as vice chair of the South Dakota Democratic Party, according to news coverage of her 2025 campaign announcement.[2] From 2022 to 2025 she led USDA Rural Development in South Dakota as state director under the Biden administration, overseeing investments in rural housing, broadband, infrastructure and community facilities.[1][2]
She has served on Dakota State University's Cyber Security Industry Advisory Board, as president of the Department of Defense STARBASE board, and as an appointee to the Minnehaha County Housing and Redevelopment Commission board.[1] She announced her candidacy in September 2025.[2] According to her campaign website, she and her husband, Brian, are parents and grandparents.[1]
- 1.About Nikki Gronli · Nikki G for SD campaign website · 2026-09-25 Candidate's own words
- 2.Former USDA appointee announces Democratic bid for Congress in South Dakota · Brookings Register (South Dakota Searchlight) · 2025-09-09 News report
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.
On the ballot
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