Jack Billion

John "Jack" Joseph Billion (March 4, 1939 – February 25, 2023) was an American politician and physician who was the 2006 Democratic Party candidate for Governor of South Dakota and served as a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from the 13th district from 1993 to 1997.

Early years John Joseph Billion was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on March 4, 1939. He was the third of nine children of Henry and Evelyn Billion.

Education Billion attended elementary and high school in Sioux Falls. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1957. He returned to Sioux Falls in 1971 to begin his orthopedic surgery practice. Billion practiced as a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon from 1971 through 1997. Billion was re-elected in 1994. In 1996, Billion declined to seek a third term in the State House, instead choosing to run for the State Senate from the 13th District. However, he lost to Republican Kermit Staggers by an 876-vote margin. In 2006, Billion re-entered politics and emerged as the Democratic nominee for Governor of South Dakota in 2006. He selected Rapid City historian Eric Abrahamson as his running mate, but was defeated in the general election by incumbent Republican governor Mike Rounds. He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls.