PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – Governor Kristi Noem has appointed James “JD” Wangsness to represent District 23 in the South Dakota House of Representatives.

District 23 Rep. Spencer Gosch says the vacancy was created after Rep. John Lake was appointed to the District 23 Senate seat.

Wangsness will serve during the 2020 legislative session.

Wangsness, along with his wife, Melanie, and son, Ben, own and operate Diamond W Land and Cattle Company near Miller, South Dakota. He has also served as a Hand County Commissioner since 2013. From 2010 to 2012, Wangsness was part of the South Dakota Ag & Rural Leadership Class 6, a highly regarded leadership program based in Brookings. Wangsness holds a degree in farm management and economics from South Dakota State University.