sd_sen_SCHMIDT
RONALD SCHMIDT
Age: 61 Born: North Dakota Education: University of North Dakota Law School, J.D. (1963); B.A. (1961) Military: U.S. Army Family: Married - Priscilla; 3 children Hometown: Pierre, South Dakota Religion: Roman Catholic Career: Attorney |
· Republican Challenger Ronald Schmidt was born and raised on a family farm in North Dakota. At age 19, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was in the Active Reserves following two years of service at the Pentagon.
· Not only was he the first member of his family to earn a college degree, but Schmidt continued his education to obtain a law degree. He first practiced transporation law in Kansas City then moved to South Dakota to get involved in the political arena.
· In 1965, Schmidt became the Director of South DakotaÂ's Legislative Research Council, a non-partisan council that assists the State Legislature.
· With a loan from the Small Business Administration, Schmidt started a law firm: Schmidt, Schroyer & Moreno.
· He has been active with the stateÂ's Republican Party, serving on various levels. Currently, Schmidt sits on the RNCÂ's 11-member executive committee and the New Majority Council. He was also one of the stateÂ's delegates to the 1996 Republican National Convention in San Diego.
· Schmidt founded and served as the President of PierreÂ's chapter of the YMCA. He also served as the National Director and an Executive Committee Member of the national YMCA.
· In 1972, Schmidt ran a low-budget campaign for Attorney General and lost.