Dusty Johnson to resign as Daugaard's chief of staff (original) (raw)

Gov. Dennis Daugaard's chief of staff Dusty Johnson will resign after the November election.

Johnson, who served six years on the Public Utilities Commission before resigning to join Daugaard's administration, will go to work for Vantage Point Solutions, an engineering and consulting company in Mitchell, where Johnson lives. Johnson will be director of consulting for the company.

He said getting close to his family was a prime motivation.

"I drive about 600 miles a week in the commute between Mitchell and Pierre," Johnson said. "That's hard to sustain when you do it for four years."

Plus, the chief of staff for a governor is a "burn-out job," said Johnson, 38. At four years, his tenure is longer than most chiefs of staff in South Dakota history — or in other states.

Johnson controversially resigned from the PUC right after winning a second term to become chief of staff. On Wednesday, he said he doesn't regret that switch.

"If I was only worried about Dusty Johnson, I would have stayed in that job," he said. "I do feel like I've had a bigger impact in helping the governor the last four years than I would have otherwise."

Johnson's last day will be Nov. 7, the Friday after this November's election. Gov. Dennis Daugaard is seeking another term against Democrat Susan Wismer and independent Mike Myers.

Daugaard said he wouldn't make any staffing announcements until after the general election.

Johnson has worked in government for more than a decade, as a PUC commissioner, chief of staff and policy adviser to the governor. He's been touted as a possible candidate for higher office in the future. On Wednesday, Johnson said he isn't likely to run for office "in the near future."

"Running for office seems about as far away now as it ever has," Johnson said. "I've got a great opp here, both to do something with Vantage Point and to be a little more present with my family."

But he added he does "like public service."

"I feel like it's a noble calling," he said. "There might be a time down the road where I'd be willing to consider serving, certainly."