Paul TenHaken

Paul Joseph TenHaken is an American businessman and website developer who has served as the mayor of Sioux Falls, South Dakota since May 15, 2018.[1]

Paul TenHaken
Mayor of Sioux Falls
Incumbent
Assumed office May 15, 2018
Preceded by	Mike Huether
Personal details
Born	Paul Joseph TenHaken November 13, 1977 Sioux Center, Iowa, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Jill TenHaken
Education	Dordt College (BA) University of Sioux Falls (MBA)
Website	Official website

Early life and education

TenHaken was born in Sioux Center, Iowa, to parents Lyle and Beth TenHaken.[2] He was raised in Worthington, Minnesota.[3] TenHaken attended Dordt College and received his degree in graphic design in 2000.[4] Upon graduation, TenHaken moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and worked as the mascot of the Sioux Falls Skyforce.[5] He attended the University of Sioux Falls and received an MBA in 2004.[4]

Business career

TenHaken founded Click Rain, a marketing technology agency in Sioux Falls, in 2008. TenHaken was named one of Entrepreneur magazine's Top 10 Emerging Entrepreneurs as well as South Dakota Young Entrepreneur of the Year. TenHaken is also the co-founder of the Dispatch Project, a non-profit that organizes overseas mission opportunities for business leaders. His efforts have received accolades from Entrepreneur Magazine, When Work Works, Inc. Magazine, and Sioux Falls Business Journal.[6]

Mayor of Sioux Falls

TenHaken placed first in the April 10, 2018 election, and won the May 1 run-off election with 62.7% of the vote.[7]

On April 9, 2020, over 80 employees at a Smithfield Foods pork processing plant in Sioux Falls were confirmed to have COVID-19. The plant announced it would suspend operations beginning April 11.[8] On April 14, 2020, TenHaken stated he would be proposing a stay at home order to the city council.[9] After three days and tremendous backlash, Paul decided not to pursue the stay at home order. Mayor TenHaken is credited to saying it is difficult to lead locally in a non-partisan way. He has also said a mask mandate could 'destroy a city' due to how politicized the issue had become.[10]

Electoral history

Sioux Falls mayoral election, 2018
Candidates	General election[11]		Runoff election[12]
	Votes	%	Votes	%
Paul TenHaken	10,925	34.11	20,869	62.70
Jolene Loetscher	7,973	24.89	12,413	37.30
Jim Entenman	6,111	19.08
Greg Jamison	4,543	14.18
Kenny N. Anderson Jr.	2,136	6.67
Mike Gunn	343	1.07
Turnout	32,031	30.37	33,282	31.70

References

1. Sneve, Joe. "TenHaken's transition into mayor's office centers on repairing relationships". argusleader.com. Argus Leader. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
2. Lawrence, Tom (May 5, 2020). "TenHaken still fond of Sioux Center". N'West Iowa Review. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
3. "Worthington native up for 'Hottest Husband'". Worthington Daily Globe. February 24, 2010. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
4. Lawrence, Tom (May 4, 2020). "TenHaken leads Sioux Falls through virus". N'West Iowa Review. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
5. Sneve, Joe (May 4, 2018). "From mascot to mayor: Paul TenHaken's path to Sioux Falls City Hall". Argus Leader. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
6. Source, Secondary. "Executive Profile of Paul Ten Haken". bloomber.com. Bloomberg. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
7. Sneve, Joe. "TenHaken elected mayor: 'Voters sent a loud and clear message'". argusleader.com. Argus Leader. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
8. "Smithfield Temporarily Shuts Pork Plant Due to Coronavirus". US News and World Report. 2020-04-09. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
9. "Mayor TenHaken to propose stay at home order to City Council early in the pandemic because of coronavirus numbers". kelo.com. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
10. https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2020/10/19/live-1-30-mayor-health-officials-give-updates-covid-19-cases-rise/3713119001/
11. "SUMMARY REPT-GROUP DETAIL". 11 April 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
12. "SUMMARY REPT-GROUP DETAIL". 2 May 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2019.