Spencer Gosch

Spencer Gosch (born January 22, 1984) is an American politician who served in the South Dakota House of Representatives. He served as the Speaker of the House during the 96th and 97th Legislative Sessions. Prior to that, he served as Speaker pro tempore during the 94th and 95th Legislative Sessions.^[1][2]

Spencer Gosch
Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives
In office January 8, 2021 – January 10, 2023
Preceded by	Steven Haugaard
Succeeded by	Hugh Bartels
Speaker pro tempore of the South Dakota House of Representatives
In office January 8, 2019 – January 8, 2021
Preceded by	Steven Haugaard
Succeeded by	Jon Hansen
Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from the 23rd district
In office January 10, 2017 – January 10, 2023 Serving with Charles Hoffman (2021–23) John Lake (2017–21)
Preceded by	Justin Cronin Michele Harrison
Succeeded by	Scott Moore James Wangsness
Personal details
Born	(1984-01-22) January 22, 1984 (age 41) Mobridge, South Dakota, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Education	University of South Dakota (BS)
Profession	Farmer, insurance agent

Gosch opted to run for a seat in the South Dakota Senate in 2022 rather than seeking re-election to the House.^[3] He lost the Republican primary election to incumbent Bryan Breitling. Spencer was reelected to his former house seat in 2024 after defeating incumbent James D. Wangness.

Election history

2022

State Senator, District 23, Primary Election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bryan J. Breitling	3,019	54.2
	Republican	Spencer Gosch	2,552	45.8
Total votes			5,571	100

2020

State Representative, District 23, General Election^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Spencer Gosch	8,325	55.1
	Republican	Charles Hoffman	6,791	44.9
Total votes			15,116	100
	Republican hold

State Representative, District 23, Primary Election^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Spencer Gosch	3,107	40.7
	Republican	Charles Hoffman	2,709	35.4
	Republican	James D. Wangsness	1,072	14.0
	Republican	Kevin E. Watts	755	9.9
Total votes			7,643	100

2018

State Representative, District 23, General Election^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Spencer Gosch	7,115	41.0
	Republican	John Lake	6,435	37.0
	Democratic	Eleanor Iverson	2,105	12.1
	Democratic	Margaret Ann Walsh	1,717	9.9
Total votes			17,372	100
	Republican hold

2016

State Representative, District 23, General Election^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Spencer Gosch	7,099	53.8
	Republican	John Lake	6,094	46.2
Total votes			13,193	100
	Republican hold

State Representative, District 23, Primary Election^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Lake	2,466	31.2
	Republican	Spencer Gosch	2,135	27.0
	Republican	Charles Hoffman	1,706	21.6
	Republican	Dick Werner	1,607	20.3
Total votes			7,914	100