YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota Secretary of State Steve Barnett was defeated in his bid for renomination at the state republican party convention in June and will be leaving office in January.

He won’t be leaving Pierre though, as he has been named the next General Manager of the state Rural Electric Association.

Barnett says the rural electrics provide a real service to their customers.

Barnett says rural electric cooperatives aren’t facing many major issues right now.

Barnett appeared at the southeast South Dakota meeting of co-ops and legislators in Yankton last (Monday) night.