Craig Kennedy

Craig A. Kennedy (born September 28, 1951) is an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the South Dakota Senate representing District 18 from January 10, 2017 through January 12, 2021.

Aside from his work as an attorney, he has filled the following positions: State Bar Commissioner, President of the USD Law School Foundation, South Dakota Defense Lawyers Association, South Dakota Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, President of the Yankton Rotary Club, President of the Yankton Rotary Foundation and Board Member of the South Dakota Symphony as well as advisory committees for the City of Yankton and Yankton School District. Kennedy ran unopposed in the primary election on June 7, 2016. Republican Matt Stone had earlier entered the race as an Independent but after withdrawing, because South Dakota law does not allow the replacement of an Independent candidate, Kennedy was again unopposed in the November 8, 2016 general election. He earned 5,762 votes.

Tenure Kennedy is an advocate of universal pre-K education and was the cosponsor of a bill that would establish an early childhood education pilot program.

He was a member of the Senate Commerce and Energy Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee.