Jason Ravnsborg
Jason Richard Ravnsborg (born April 12, 1976) is an American attorney and politician. A Republican, he served as Attorney General of South Dakota from 2019 until his removal in 2022. Ravnsborg ran for the U.S. Senate in 2014, losing in the Republican primary to former Governor Mike Rounds, who won the general election.
Jason Ravnsborg | |
|---|---|
| 31st Attorney General of South Dakota | |
| In office January 5, 2019 – June 21, 2022 Suspended: April 12, 2022 – June 21, 2022 | |
| Governor | Kristi Noem |
| Preceded by | Marty Jackley |
| Succeeded by | Charlie McGuigan (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jason Richard Ravnsborg April 12, 1976 Cherokee, Iowa, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | University of South Dakota (BS, MA, JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1996–present |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Commands | 394th Combat Service Support Battalion |
| Battles/wars | War on Terror • Iraq Campaign • Afghanistan Campaign |
| Awards | Bronze Star Meritorious Service Medal Army Commendation Medal Army Achievement Medal |
Ravnsborg is a U.S. Army Reserve officer and combat veteran who has served tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Iraq. Before becoming attorney general, Ravnsborg was a lawyer in private practice and deputy state's attorney for Union County.
On September 12, 2020, while driving home from a political fundraiser taking place at a bar, Ravnsborg struck and killed a pedestrian. He was charged with three misdemeanors—careless driving, driving out of his lane, and operating a car while using a cellphone. Ravnsborg pleaded no contest to driving out of his lane and operating a car while using a cellphone; the careless driving charge was dismissed. Subsequent investigation and legislative proceedings resulted in Ravnsborg's impeachment by the South Dakota House of Representatives in April 2022. He was suspended from office while the South Dakota Senate deliberated, and on June 21, 2022, Ravnsborg was convicted, removed from office, and permanently barred from holding public office in the state.