Career
A Republican, he has represented District 29 in the South Dakota House of Representatives since January 2009. Wink was the Speaker pro tempore of the House from January 11, 2011 to January 10, 2015. He has served as the Speaker of the House since January 10, 2015.
Wink signed as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1966 and made the team as a taxi squad player.
He was called up to the active roster on November 10, 1967, and started his only game the next year. In the offseason, Wink received his masters degree in education.
He was waived on July 15, 1969. After quitting football, Wink returned to Yankton College, then moved to Arizona, where he became a rancher, before working for a Texas cattle company.
That year they bought a ranch in Meade County, and moved to it full-time in 1994.
Ten years later, Joan retired from the faculty of California State University. 2008 When District 29 incumbent Republican Representatives Larry Rhoden ran for South Dakota Senate and left a District 29 seat open, Wink ran in the three-way June 3, 2008 Republican primary and placed second with 1,309 votes (323%), in the four-way November 4, 2008 General election incumbent Republican Representative Thomas Brunner took the first seat and Wink took the second seat with 5,341 votes (291%) ahead of Democratic nominees Fred McPherson and Bob Burns. 2012 When fellow District 29 incumbent Republican Representative Thomas Brunner was term limited and left the Legislature, Wink ran in the three-way June 5, 2012 Republican Primary and placed second with 1,059 votes (320%).
Wink and Gary Cammack were unopposed for the November 6, 2012 General election, where Cammack took the first seat and Wink took the second seat with 4,824 votes (446%).