Steve and his wife, Nicole, hail from Aberdeen, South Dakota.  He is a graduate of Roncalli High School and received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Dakota.  He later earned his Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Sioux Falls.  Steve has held positions with the South Dakota Republican Party and Wells Fargo.  He also served as a Constituent Services Representative in United States Senator John Thune’s Aberdeen district office from 2005-2010.

In his first attempt seeking public office, the citizens of South Dakota elected Steve to the office of State Auditor on November 2, 2010.  In November 2014, he was re-elected to his second term. He is the 27th State Auditor to serve the State of South Dakota.  Steve is a member of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers, and Treasurers (NASACT), where he serves on the nine-member Executive Committee.  He is also a member of the Training and Professional Development Committee, as well as the Financial Management and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.  In 2016, Steve was selected by his peers to serve as the Secretary/Treasurer of the National Association of State Comptrollers (NASC). 

Steve’s interest in public service was sparked at an early age by his grandfather, the late Joe Barnett, Sr.  Joe 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 have four children; Emma, Henry, William and Lillian.  Steve and his family are members of Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Pierre.  He has been actively involved in numerous volunteer activities, including Junior Achievement of South Dakota and the American Legion Boys State programs.  In his free time, Steve enjoys spending time with his family, pheasant hunting, and snow and water skiing.