Ed McLaughlin has announced his candidacy for re-election to the South Dakota House of Representatives as a Republican from District 34.

McLaughlin will face Democrats Bonny Petersen and Lisa F. Cook and fellow Republican David Lust. The four will vie for two House of Representative positions from District 34.

McLaughlin served as mayor of Rapid City from 1991 to 1997, and before that was president of the Rapid City Common Council.

A South Dakota native whose grandfathers homesteaded in the Black Hills, McLaughlin believes strongly in preserving and promoting quality of life in South Dakota. He has brought his experience as a school administrator and insurance agent to his assignments on the education, taxation and transportation committees. Her served on the governor's two-year State Aid to Education Task Force, and this past summer, on the Teacher's Compensation Assistance Program designed to help increase per pupil education funding.

McLaughlin said quality education for South Dakotans is a high priority for him. His other top concerns include economic development - tourism and the scientific experiments at the Homestake laboratory, in particular.

McLaughlin, a life-long Republican, believes strongly in fiscal responsibility and that government should not intrude into the personal lives of citizens.

He is a member of First Congregational Church, Rapid City West Kiwanis Club, Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce and has served on a variety of community boards and commissions.

McLaughlin is a graduate of Black Hills State University, where he is a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1993, he received his alma mater's Special Service Alumni Award and most recently was selected as one of 125 accomplished alumni in recognition of the school's 125th anniversary.

He holds master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Northern Colorado, and a Chartered Life Underwriter designation from the American College, Bryn Mawr, Penn. He was a captain in the United States Air Force.

McLaughlin lives in Rapid City with his wife, Doris Marie Strom. He has two sons, Gary and Myrle, and two stepsons, James and Michael Stoeckmann, and a daughter, Elizabeth Ledbetter.