Dave was born and raised in South Dakota. Like his father before him, Dave graduated from Yankton College and then attended the seminary to become an ordained minister. After graduating from United Theological Seminary in Ohio, Dave began working for the National Farm Workers Ministry where he fought for better working conditions for farm workers with Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers union. 

In 1978, Dave moved to Peoria to run the Peoria Friendship House.  Dave later became Executive Director of the Peoria Area Labor Management Council (PALM). At PALM Dave worked to bridge the divide between businesses and labor unions in the Peoria area. 

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In 2006 Dave was elected to succeed the late Senator George Shadid. Since being in the Senate, Dave has prioritized expanding healthcare coverage, protecting people with preexisting conditions, getting more dollars in the state budget for local public schools, and raising the wages of working people.

Dave currently lives in the East Bluff neighborhood of Peoria with his wife Nora. They have 3 children and 4 grandchildren.