Craig Tieszen has announced his plans to run as a Republican candidate for the District 34 seat in the South Dakota Senate.

A campaign kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, at Parkside Professional Building, 2800 Jackson Blvd.

"Retiring Senator Mac McCracken has done a great job representing District 34. He will leave big shoes to fill, but I feel I have the experience, integrity and commitment to step up to this challenge," Tieszen said.

Tieszen first came to Rapid City in 1967 to attend South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. After graduating, he spent four years in Kenya serving in the Peace Corps. Upon returning to Rapid City in 1975, Tieszen started his career with the Rapid City Police Department. At the police department, Tieszen moved up through the ranks, finally serving as chief of police from 2000 until his retirement in July 2007.

Tieszen has been a resident of District 34 for more than 30 years. In addition to his work with the community through his career in law enforcement, he has served on numerous boards and committees including the Rapid City Club for Boys, the Club for Boys Foundation, the United Way Board of Directors and the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Tieszen is married to Deb Tieszen, a registered nurse at Rapid City Regional Hospital's Family Medicine Residency Clinic. They have two daughters, Leslie and Laura.