About Tesa Schwans

Tesa Schwans represents District 9 in the South Dakota House of Representatives, covering Northwest Sioux Falls, Wall Lake, and Hartford. Elected in 2024, she brings decades of small-business experience and deep community roots to her service in Pierre.

A lifelong South Dakotan, Schwans is a self-employed hair stylist, regional independent sales representative, and longtime salon owner in Sioux Falls. Her background in entrepreneurship, customer service, and community engagement shapes her practical, people-focused approach to policymaking. Years spent listening “behind the chair” sharpened her understanding of community needs and—together with her faith and family—inspired her to step forward in service.

As a grassroots Conservative Republican and constitutional patriot, Schwans prioritizes protecting individual freedoms, defending the unborn, safeguarding taxpayers, and upholding personal, property, state, and Second Amendment rights. In her first legislative session, she strengthened property-rights protections, advanced pro-life policy, and worked to modernize licensing and regulatory frameworks supporting innovation and public safety. She also sponsored right-to-work legislation expanding booth-rental opportunities for independent salon professionals.

Schwans serves on the House Education Committee and the Teacher Compensation Review Board, where she has become a strong advocate for at-risk youth, rehabilitation programs, and meaningful educational reform.

Rooted in a lifelong commitment to service that began in 4-H, Schwans has continued to lead community initiatives. Prior to running for office, she organized the non-profit “Friends of Wall Lake,” which improved water safety by providing a life-jacket loaner station at the public beach and launched a local “Trunk-or-Treat,” among other efforts.

The youngest of nine children, Schwans grew up on a generational ranch near McLaughlin in western South Dakota. She graduated from Spearfish High School and Black Hills Beauty College, later returning as an instructor. A former three-sport athlete, she stays active through biking, hiking, and running—and has completed multiple 5Ks and marathons. She enjoys reading, history, and meditation, which keep her grounded in principle and prayer.

Schwans and her husband, Jay, of 25 years, live near Wall Lake with their bernedoodle, Wynston. They have three children and nine grandchildren, and enjoy boating, fishing, and spending time outdoors.