John Thune grew up in Murdo, South Dakota. His interest in politics was sparked at a young age after making five of six free throws during a freshman high school basketball game. He was later greeted by a spectator who said, “I noticed you missed one.” That spectator happened to be a well-known sports enthusiast and then-South Dakota U.S. Rep. Jim Abdnor. The introduction was the start of a friendship that ignited John’s career in public service.
John received his undergraduate degree at Biola University and his master’s degree in business administration from the University of South Dakota. Upon completion of his master’s degree in 1984, he married Kimberley Weems, a native of Doland, South Dakota.
South Dakota’s wide-open spaces mean the nearest hospital or airport can be many miles away. Federal funding is essential for ensuring that South Dakota’s highways and bridges are properly maintained. I support common-sense infrastructure investments and long-term federal policy, which provides stability and helps keep roads safe for South Dakotans. This investment also ensures efficient movement of goods, and the people who produce them, that are vital to a host of South Dakota industries, including agriculture and tourism. Since being elected to Congress, I have been a strong advocate for infrastructure funding to ensure South Dakota’s transportation needs are met.
Essential Air Service
The Essential Air Service program is especially important in rural states like South Dakota. Ensuring access in and out of these smaller communities makes our local economies stronger, provides consumers with greater choices, and makes the entire commercial airline network more valuable. I have been working to maintain the Essential Air Service for years and have strongly discouraged any moves by the U.S. Department of Transportation that threatens reliable air travel for our smaller airports like Pierre and Watertown.