Matthew Michels (born March 9, 1960^[1]) is an American politician who served from 2011 to 2019 as the 38th lieutenant governor of South Dakota.

Quick Facts 38th Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota, Governor ...

Matt Michels
38th Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota
In office January 8, 2011 – January 5, 2019
Governor	Dennis Daugaard
Preceded by	Dennis Daugaard
Succeeded by	Larry Rhoden
Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives
In office January 2003 – January 2007
Preceded by	Scott G. Eccarius
Succeeded by	Thomas Deadrick
Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from the 18th district
In office January 1999 – January 2007
Succeeded by	Nick Moser
Personal details
Born	(1960-03-09) March 9, 1960 (age 64) Pierre, South Dakota, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Karen Lindbloom
Children	1 son
Education	University of South Dakota (BS, JD)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1985-1989
Unit	J.A.G. Corps

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Michels was born in Pierre, South Dakota. He graduated with a B.S. from the University of South Dakota in 1981 and a J.D. from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1985. Michels also worked as a nurse between 1981 and 1985.

Michels attended Naval Justice School and entered U.S. Navy JAG Corps. He was honorably discharged from the JAG Corps in 1989. He later became general counsel for Avera Health.

A member of the Republican Party, he served as speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007. Dennis Daugaard picked him as his running mate in the 2010 gubernatorial election;^[2][3] they were reelected in 2014.