PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – Republican state Sen. Russ Olson of Madison is resigning his seat to become the chief executive officer of Heartland Consumer Power District. Heartland says Olson has been with the company since 2005, working on various economic development and customer service programs. Gov. Dennis Daugaard expects to name an appointee prior to the 2014 legislative session. Daugaard says Olson has been a strong, well-respected majority leader for South Dakota and his district. Olson has served in the state Senate since 2009 after serving one term in the state House. He’s been Senate majority leader since 2011. Olson represents District 8, which encompasses Lake, Miner, Moody and Sanborn counties.
The resignation is effective Sept. 30.