From managing a community bank to shaping state legislation, Hugh Bartels has demonstrated that the skills and relationships built in community banking are valuable assets in public service. His journey—from community banker in South Dakota to the Speaker of the House—has been defined by his ability to foster connections, understand regulations, and make decisions that drive both financial institutions and state progress forward.

Building a Foundation in Community Banking

Originally from Pierre, Bartels jokes that he has known his way around the capitol since he was in junior high. However, that is not where he realized his passion for public service. This came while he was attending college at Dakota State University in Madison. There he helped his close friend David Bockorny successfully campaign for president of the student legislature.

“My goal was never to be the leader. I liked being behind the scenes and getting things done. That’s where it started,” explained Hugh.

Hugh went on to begin his career in public service in the late 1970s, working for the state government. His trajectory shifted when he was asked to join the banking industry as the Deputy Director of Banking for South Dakota. With an MBA from the University of South Dakota, Bartels embraced this new challenge, diving deep into regulations and examinations. He honed his expertise by working with examiners, attending examiner school, and learning how to navigate the complexities of banking compliance. His early exposure to government processes and regulatory frameworks set the stage for the influential roles he would play in both banking and politics.

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“My goal was never to be the leader. I liked being behind the scenes and getting things done. That’s where it started.”

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His background in finance and love for working with people helped him thrive in banking, leading to his eventual role as President at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Watertown, now Reliabank Dakota.

A Natural Transition to Public Service

While working at the bank, Bartels became increasingly involved in his community, serving on the local school board. “At the time, the temperature within the school district wasn’t great. Some individuals were upset with how the school operated. I decided to run to see if I could help turn things around,” said Hugh.

Elected as president just two minutes into his first board meeting, Bartels immediately began making changes that were well-received. He spearheaded efforts to improve Watertown’s schools, including leading a successful initiative to provide laptops for students—making Watertown the first district in the state to do so. This focus on forward-thinking governance resonated with his community and kept him on the school board for a total of nine years.

After his service on the school board ended, Bartels was encouraged to run for the South Dakota Legislature Though initially hesitant, he eventually ran for office after retiring from the banking industry. His banking background gave him a unique perspective on leadership and policy. Bartels was elected to represent District 5 in the South Dakota House of Representatives in the 2016 general election, and soon became known for his ability to bring clarity to complex legislative issues.

The transition from banking to the Legislature came naturally. “Customers come to the bank for help. Because of this, bankers are generalists. We get the opportunity to listen and learn a lot about different industries. This knowledge transferred well. Having a positive attitude helped, too!” said Bartels.

Working within the Appropriations Committee, Hugh quickly proved himself to be a good listener and an effective communicator, and his peers took notice.

Leading with Integrity as Speaker of the House

As the 2022 legislative session ended and preparations for the next began, Bartels was approached about running for Speaker of the House.

“I was reluctant at first, but then realized I had a great shot at winning. I mentally committed, then gave it everything I had to win. I put 3,000 miles on my truck while campaigning. I met with as many legislators as I could to talk about leadership and how I was going to run things,” explained Hugh.

In 2023, the South Dakota House of Representatives elected Bartels as Speaker over Speaker pro tempore Jon Hansen. This was the first time the Speaker pro tempore from the previous term ran for the position but did not win.

As the new Speaker, Hugh understood that, like banking, politics required trust, strong relationships, and a steady commitment to serving the community. He soon built a reputation for fairness, ensuring that every voice was heard and every decision was made with the best interest of South Dakota in mind. As part of this, he appointed those who voted against him to serve as committee leaders. “I knew this would allow me to see the other side, they were the best fit for the job,” explained Hugh.

Hugh wasted no time getting down to business in his new role. Wanting to do the best he could, he made sure to read every bill that came across his desk.

“As Speaker I had a reserved parking spot outside my office. I never needed it though. Nobody else was there at 6:30AM! I had to get there early to read through all of the bills that were introduced the day before so I could assign them to the correct committee,” he stated.

Reading all of the bills was just the beginning! Hugh became notorious for carrying around his rule book, complete with yellow sticky note bookmarks poking out of the sides. He saw to it that the rules and processes were followed. If two bills were similar, Bartels would encourage the authors to collaborate and come up with one solution that both were happy with.

Bartels’ ability to work across the aisle with the Senate, and bring people together made him an effective leader. Whether addressing complex financial regulations or discussing state infrastructure needs, he brought a practical, solutions-oriented mindset to every issue.

A Legacy of Leadership

After serving four terms in the South Dakota House of Representatives, Bartels has left a lasting impact on both the banking education and political landscapes. His tenure as Speaker of the House showcased his commitment to making South Dakota a better place for all its citizens.

If you’re thinking about running for the legislature, and you’re interested in learning about a lot of things, do it! You’ll vote on everything from real estate tax, to registered illegal drugs to what a barber can or cannot do. It’s a great way to get involved and keep our state moving forward!