Yahoo Autos Get to know the Sioux Falls candidates for the South Dakota State Legislature in Senate districts 9-13
It's almost time for South Dakotans to head to the ballot boxes to choose their representatives on the state level.
Absentee voting began Sept. 23 and South Dakotans have until Oct. 24 to register to vote. The general election will be Nov. 8.
The Argus Leader gathered biographical and professional information about the candidates running for state-wide office in the Sioux Falls area. Those elected will be headed to Pierre in January to begin their terms in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Some candidates like Herman Otten, Brent Hoffman and Tom Pischke will go straight to Pierre, because they have either won their primary in June or are not facing a challenger.
More:South Dakota has a second chance to legalize recreational marijuana. What does it mean?
Below, readers have the chance to meet the candidates through a series of questions asked by the Argus Leader.
Editor's note: Answers have been edited for clarity and conciseness.
District 9 Senate
Brent Hoffman:
Age: 59
Party Affiliation: Republican
Political/public service experience: United States Military (Air Force), Sioux City City Council, Economic Development, Volunteer Organizations, Christian Church, School Board.
South Dakotans are voting on two ballot measures this year: one to expand Medicaid and one to legalize recreational marijuana. How do you plan to vote on those measures and why?
As I’ve visited with the constituents I work for these past months, a majority have encouraged me to vote no on both measures. The proposal to legalize recreational marijuana is more pernicious and would likely have widespread implications on law enforcement, education and mental health. I don’t believe marijuana use makes for better decision-making and a more free, productive society.
What is the next big challenge for South Dakota ahead of January’s legislative session that will need to be tackled, why and what can be done?
As always, the budget will be at the forefront of discussions and will include a focus on education and prison reforms, among other things. But I also think it important we look to systemic changes that truly make our great state better. That’s why I’ll stay focused on the three main issues that my constituents expect and demand of me: term limits, tax rates and transparency.
More:South Dakota gubernatorial candidates Kristi Noem, Jamie Smith weigh food tax special session
District 10 Senate
Liz Larson:
Age: 47
Profession: Independent consultant in economic development
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Political/public service experience: More than 20 years of experience in economic development in policy and private public sector partnerships.
South Dakotans are voting on two ballot measures this year: one to expand Medicaid and one to legalize recreational marijuana. How do you plan to vote on those measures and why?
I will be voting to support Measure 27 because the voters of South Dakota have already spoken on this issue, and their will should be upheld. The previous vote was clear.
I will be voting to expand Medicaid to the 42,000 hard working South Dakotans who now are lacking medical coverage. Right now, in South Dakota, given the cost of health care, any family without medical coverage is one emergency away from financial ruin. This is not good for our economy and it does not represent our values. Families are hindered from taking innovative business risks or building assets. Furthermore, by continuing to limit Medicaid in SD, we are forgoing a significant amount of federal funding. These are our tax dollars which flow out of state, and then don’t come back. That’s not a good value for South Dakota; it is a loss for us.
What is the next big challenge for South Dakota ahead of January’s legislative session that will need to be tackled, why and what can be done?
There are a range of important issues which will come up in the next session, among the most important will be education. Not only are we hearing about this issue in the local headlines, but I am hearing it regularly when I speak with voters at their doorsteps. Low pay, and lack of other support, is creating a teacher shortage in our state which positions South Dakota’s kids for a rocky future. Against the backdrop of an increasingly difficult economy, it is not only harder for teachers to do their jobs, but for families to support their students. There are so many opportunities we can focus on to strengthen the education of our students, including strengthening mental health services, and developing a robust strategy on early learning.
Maggie Sutton: Did not respond to questions in time for publication.
More:What we learned from the South Dakota gubernatorial debate
District 11 Senate
Sheryl Johnson:
Age: 59
Profession: Just retired from 12 years at Roosevelt High School
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Political/public service experience: Current Democratic chair in District 11, many years of community, church and school volunteering.
South Dakotans are voting on two ballot measures this year: one to expand Medicaid and one to legalize recreational marijuana. How do you plan to vote on those measures and why?
I will vote to support Medicaid expansion so that we can help working families who don’t get health insurance from their job(s) but can’t afford to buy into any subsidies. It will also help hospitals and nursing homes that currently have to write off all the expenses of people who can’t pay.
I still am not sure how I'll vote on legalizing recreational marijuana as I have never used marijuana and don’t plan to, but I know many people use it already and if someone wants it they can get it. You never know what is in the marijuana being sold on the streets and it is often mixed with other things. Legalizing it may help prevent that.
Since it has been illegal for so long, I do have concerns about long term use but feel that decriminalizing it may free up space in our jails and police can focus on other crimes. I also think that alcohol can be just as bad and kills more people yet we allow that to be legal. In either case we need to educate users about any risks.
I will support whatever position my district votes for and at the last vote they overwhelmingly voted to legalize recreational marijuana.
What is the next big challenge for South Dakota ahead of January’s legislative session that will need to be tackled, why and what can be done?
We need to redo the proposed social studies standards. They are not age-appropriate and include many religious issues that are best left to religious schools or Sunday schools to teach.
To totally throw out what the first [social studies] committee had proposed and go to an out-of-state school with an unaccredited teaching program for a new program and pass it with a committee that had very few educators on it was just irresponsible and is not the best program for our students. It also wasted a lot of our tax dollars on an out-of-state business.
We need students who are capable of thinking critically and not ones who are indoctrinated. Teachers are professionals, we need to let them teach without interference from legislators and we need to pay them like the professionals that they are.
Jim Stalzer:
Age: 76
Profession: Retired - Information Technology
Party Affiliation: Republican
Political/public service experience: Two terms (four years) SD House of Representatives; Three terms (six years) SD Senate
South Dakotans are voting on two ballot measures this year: one to expand Medicaid and one to legalize recreational marijuana. How do you plan to vote on those measures and why?
I oppose Medicaid expansion. While it will provide coverage to 40,000 plus low-income mostly adult males, it will also remove many of them from their current insurance which is 100% federally funded. In addition, the new inflation reduction act will pay for three years of coverage for these people on the silver plan with no cost to the state of South Dakota. If we pass Medicaid expansion, the state will be responsible for 10% of the cost now and potentially 40% to 45% of the cost in three years.
In addition, a number of providers do not accept Medicaid causing people to potentially have to shop for a provider.
I also plan to vote against recreational marijuana. States that have passed recreational marijuana have seen an increase in use by those under 21. With the evidence that use by children reduces IQ and leads to an increase in psychosis, I cannot support it.
What is the next big challenge for South Dakota ahead of January’s legislative session that will need to be tackled, why and what can be done?
The biggest current challenge facing SD at this time is a lack of workforce and then housing once we find the people to work. To some degree we can use COVID-19 money to build housing, but the increased wages to attract workers drives up the cost of everything, creating even more inflation.
District 12 Senate
Jessica Meyers
Age: 45
Profession: Healthcare staffing
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Political/public service experience: Board chair Transformation Project. South Dakota Democratic Party Executive Board member
South Dakotans are voting on two ballot measures this year: one to expand Medicaid and one to legalize recreational marijuana. How do you plan to vote on those measures and why?
I will be voting yes on Amendment D. Medicaid expansion is long overdue and opens up coverage to affordable and much-needed coverage to thousands of South Dakotans. The legislature has had the opportunity since 2010 to put a framework together and nothing has been done. With the passage of Amendment D, which has bipartisan support, more families will have access to the incredible health systems we have in our state.
The people of South Dakota already voted to approve recreational marijuana in 2020 by 54% before the legislature overturned the results. I will be voting yes on IM 27. It is very important to know that the voters are the people that get to decide the laws of the state and the legislators need to uphold the will of the people. We saw the state legislature overturn IM 22, government transparency with campaign finance, in 2016 although that was widely supported by the people and we saw a second overturn of a vote, recreational marijuana in 2020, which is creating a dangerous precedent in Pierre. We must end the overturning of election results because a small handful of people in Pierre don't agree with thousands of voters at the ballot box.
What is the next big challenge for South Dakota ahead of January’s legislative session that will need to be tackled, why and what can be done?
South Dakota has a trigger law [on abortion] and it instantly restricted physicians from providing appropriate care to their patients. Although there are very few limitations to this law, it wouldn't take much to eliminate these safeguards completely. Medical decisions are private and should be made between the patient and their medical provider.
Arch Beal:
Age: 67
Profession: Business owner
Party Affiliation: Republican
Political/public service experience: Eight years in the House of Representatives, two years as majority whip and two years as the assistant majority leader
South Dakotans are voting on two ballot measures this year: one to expand Medicaid and one to legalize recreational marijuana. How do you plan to vote on those measures and why?
While representing District 12, I have supported their election outcomes on ballot measures.
What is the next big challenge for South Dakota ahead of January’s legislative session that will need to be tackled, why and what can be done?
The challenges we face in the next legislative session will be dependent on the ballot measures. We as a legislature have spent the last two sessions preparing the state for recreational marijuana if it is passed. If the Medicaid expansion passes, the legislature will need to find the funding. The overturn of Roe v. Wade will also bring several abortion clarification bills. As people feel the impact of big government spending, plans for tax increases, inflation, and the possibility of recession, I am committed to holding the line at the state level. These pocketbook issues are the ones that most impact our families. Our government needs to work for the taxpayers, not the bureaucrats.
District 13 Senate
Lora Hubbel:
Profession: Broker/owner of Great American Homes Real Estate
Party Affiliation: Registered Republican running NPA (No party affiliation or independent)
Political/public service experience: Served in the SD Legislature between 2011-2013
South Dakotans are voting on two ballot measures this year: one to expand Medicaid and one to legalize recreational marijuana. How do you plan to vote on those measures and why?
I intend to vote no on Medicaid expansion. I’ve read Tom Daschle’s two books on ObamaCare. He writes that the ACA (Affordable Care Act) is not about healthcare, it is the biggest social experiment of all times. This act took away the doctor’s rights to practice medicine per their instincts and education and gave it to the government. Now we are at the mercy of some bureaucracy deeming “best practices” whether or not they even apply in our case. Medicaid expansion is the final nail in the coffin for medical freedom.
Medicaid expansion will not help the little guy, it will help all the big corporations…just look at who is promoting it…big government and big business.
I intend to vote no on legalizing recreational marijuana. Initiated measure 27 might as well be read, “Legalize recreational guillotines. We promise they will only be used for recreation, like chopping onions – we promise!” Of course, that is absurd, just as absurd as telling us that legalizing recreational marijuana is all rainbows and unicorns. It is not, it is deadly.
Granted we need to tweak our pot laws as they should not ruin a person’s life if they get caught with a small amount, but all-out legalization is not a measure that rose up from South Dakota’s grass roots.
What is the next big challenge for South Dakota ahead of January’s legislative session that will need to be tackled, why and what can be done?
South Dakota has no balance of power anymore. Power has been placed into a few hands. We see a super strong Governor and a bureaucratic system that wields power by legislating, lobbying, and lying....that is absolutely unconstitutional but we do it anyway. Legislation is supposed to be solely in the hands of the legislators who bring bills from the people up to Pierre. That doesn't happen. When good old grassroots bills come up they are crushed by the governor's thumbs up or thumbs down.
Why do I say the balance of power is the most important? Because all issues hinge on it. Absolute power has absolutely corrupted South Dakota.
Jack Kolbeck:
Age: 70
Party Affiliation: Republican
Profession: KAM-Beal Dist Inc.
Political Experience: Six years in the Senate serving District 13
South Dakotans are voting on two ballot measures this year: one to expand Medicaid and one to legalize recreational marijuana. How do you plan to vote on those measures and why?
I will be voting on these two ballot measures at my polling place and in private. People who know me know of my conservative values and my willingness to listen to the issues. If this were to pass, we need to find a way to continuously fund Medicaid expansion without implementing an income tax on our hard working South Dakota citizens.
We will have numerous social issues develop with the legalization of marijuana, a federally illegal drug. Our kids need to be protected in South Dakota.
What is the next big challenge for South Dakota ahead of January’s legislative session that will need to be tackled, why and what can be done?
As an appropriator for the past for four years, the expenditure of people's tax money has always been my priority. We know that there will be one-time monies available next year. I will do my best to see that these one time monies be spent as best needed for the people of South Dakota. This will all take place next session in the legislature as we work through the budget process.
Follow Annie Todd on Twitter @AnnieTodd96. Reach out to her with tips, questions and other political news at atodd@argusleader.com or give her a call at 605-215-3757.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Meet the candidates for South Dakota Senate districts 9-13
