Steve and his wife Nicole hail from Aberdeen. He is a graduate of Roncalli High School and the University of South Dakota. Upon completing his degree, he returned to Aberdeen to work for the South Dakota Republican Party in 2002 as Coalitions Director. After working for the State GOP, he moved to Sioux Falls to work for Wells Fargo. He also served as a substitute teacher for the Sioux Falls School District.

In April of 2004, Steve relocated back to Aberdeen to work for the State Republican Party as the Northeast Field Director. After the 2004 election, he was asked to serve as a Constituent Services Representative in U.S. Senator John Thune’s Aberdeen district office. Steve has also served as an assistant boys tennis coach for Roncalli the past four years, and is currently completing his Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Sioux Falls.

Steve is the grandson of the late Joe Barnett, Sr. who served as Speaker of the House and Republican Majority Leader in the South Dakota House of Representatives during his 19 years in public office.

Steve and Nicole welcomed their first child, Emma Claire, on October 26th. In his free time, Steve enjoys spending time with his family, pheasant and waterfowl hunting, and participating in triathlons.