Troy Heinert

Early life, education and marriage

Heinert was born into the Rosebud Sioux tribe in Spearfish, South Dakota. His father died when he was 13, but he was taken under the wing of a close family friend. He attended local schools and Sinte Gleska University, a tribal college, where he graduated with a BS degree in education.

He married Gena and they have two sons and a daughter. They lived in Mission, South Dakota.

Work and political career

Heinert started work as an elementary school teacher, working also as a wrestling coach.

He first ran for electoral office on the Todd County High School Board, winning a seat and serving for 3 years. Heinert has noted that his maternal grandfather served as a county commissioner after being in two wars. His grandfather always stressed the importance of "giving back."

Heinert and his wife in 2007 became owners of Chute 2, a bar and restaurant attached to the Prairie View country club in Mission. He also works as a rodeo pick-up rider with the Korkow Rodeo family from Pierre, South Dakota, and says that it taught him to be "fast on his feet," which he needs in the legislature. He became close to Jim Korkow, who was friends with his father, especially after his father's death. Korkow has acted as a father to him.

In 2012 Heinert was elected as a Democrat to the South Dakota House of Representatives from District 26A, comprising Todd and Mellette counties. The four Democratic candidates that year were all Rosebud Sioux members. He served one term.

In 2014 Heinert was elected to the State Senate. When it went into session in 2015, he was elected as Senate Assistant Minority Leader in his first term; members of the legislature are majority Republican. Heinert is one of a generation of Native Americans who have become active in electoral party politics.

He was succeeded i the House from district 26A by Shawn Bordeaux (Rosebud Sioux), also of Mission.