Former state legislator Dick Brown of Custer has announced his candidacy for the South Dakota House of Representatives from District 30.

Brown, 63, is a former Republican state representative from Sioux Falls and a current member of the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Commission. He and his wife, Sue, moved from Sioux Falls last spring. They live on 10 acres outside of Custer.

Brown said Friday there was a simple reason for their move west.

"We have three grandchildren here," he said. "They were the primary reason."

But he also loves the outdoors and the peaceful lifestyle in the Custer area, he said. And he hopes to return to the state Legislature, where he served in the House for eight years, and focus on education, economic development and tax-reform legislation.

"I think the fundamental issues are the same out here as they are in Sioux Falls, or in Chamberlain or Dell Rapids," Brown said Friday.

Brown served as chairman of the House Education Committee for four years, chairman of the House Taxation Committee and was a member of the House State Affairs Committee for five years. He assisted in drafting the original school-aid formula and property-tax relief legislation passed into law during the 1995 legislative session.

Brown has been recognized for his work with education issues by the South Dakota Association of School Boards. He also has been recognized as conservationist of the year and received the South Dakota national safety award for his sponsorship of the graduated driving license bill.

Brown is an avid outdoorsman and is active with Top Pin Archery Club of Custer, Southern Hills Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and Ducks Unlimited. He is a director of the USD Foundation, U.S. Senator Karl E. Mundt Foundation and South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation.

"I believe my local, state and national legislative and leadership experience and contacts can make a difference in our State Capitol for the citizens of District 30," Brown said in a prepared statement.