Dakota
Voter
Senate & House – District 35
VOTER GUIDE LEGEND
Green: Strong voting record or survey response
Grey: Mixed voting record or inconclusive survey response
Red: Weak voting record or survey response
“S” inside the circle: Survey results from a new candidate (no voting record)
Blank: No voting record or survey answer
For full details on scoring, click here.
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| 1) LIFE – Do the candidates support the sanctity of life? | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Senate | |||
| Nicole Mitzel | R | Candidate indicated support for bills protecting life | |
| Greg Blanc | R | Candidate has a strong voting record on life (4/4) HB1274 – 2026, HB1313 -2026, HB1257 – 2026, HB1044 – 2025 | |
| House | ||
| Dale Bartscher | R | Candidate indicated support for bills protecting life and commented: I have been Pro-Life strong from the age of 18 and have strengthened these values during my eight years while on staff with SD Right (word limit) |
| Jace West | R | Candidate indicated support for bills protecting life and commented: I support the sanctity of human life; exceptions for the mother’s life, rejecting abortion as birth control and strengthening safety nets for those in crisis. |
| Emmett Reistroffer | R | Candidate indicated support for bills protecting life and commented: I support a total ban on abortion, with the only exception being when it is absolutely necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman. |
| Jason Fleming | R | Candidate has not responded yet |
| Ken Jeakins | D | Candidate has not responded yet |
| 2) EDUCATION OPTIONS – Do the candidates support expanded options for education? (Ex: Private school opportunities, homeschooling, etc.) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Senate | |||
| Nicole Mitzel | R | Candidate indicated support for bills that provide greater educational options | |
| Greg Blanc | R | Candidate has a strong voting record on education choice (1/1) SB84 – 2026 | |
| House | ||
| Dale Bartscher | R | Candidate indicated support for bills that provide greater educational options and commented: My own two daughters have experienced a quality education a public, private and homeschooled students. Today my grandchildren attend a charter school in CO. Options (word limit) |
| Jace West | R | Candidate indicated support for bills that provide greater educational options and commented: I support education options, including homeschooling and alternatives. Parents deserve options when our state ranks #20 in pre 12–K outcomes |
| Emmett Reistroffer | R | Candidate indicated support for bills that provide greater educational options and commented: Parents should be in charge of their kids’ education – plain and simple. Expand school choice, let funding follow the student, and give families the freedom (word limit) |
| Jason Fleming | R | Candidate has not responded yet |
| Ken Jeakins | D | Candidate has not responded yet |
| 3) PARENTAL RIGHTS – Do the candidates support clear protections for parental rights? | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Senate | |||
| Nicole Mitzel | R | Candidate indicated support for bills that protect parental rights | |
| Greg Blanc | R | Candidate has a strong voting record on parental rights (3/3) SB190 – 2026, HB1061 – 2025, SB113 – 2025 | |
| House | ||
| Dale Bartscher | R | Candidate indicated support for bills that protect parental rights and commented: The rights of parenthood are the foundation of a strong and healthy family. When this happens then our culture is better for it. |
| Jace West | R | Candidate indicated support for bills that protect parental rights and commented: I support parental rights; parents – not the state– should guide their children’s upbringing, education, and values with limited state intervention. |
| Emmett Reistroffer | R | Candidate indicated support for bills that protect parental rights and commented: Parents – not government – have the primary responsibility and authority to raise children. This aligns with my belief that minimum government + maximum freedom = stronger families. |
| Jason Fleming | R | Candidate has not responded yet |
| Ken Jeakins | D | Candidate has not responded yet |
| 4) MARIJUANA REGULATIONS – Do the candidates support reasonable regulations on marijuana? | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Senate | |||
| Nicole Mitzel | R | Candidate indicated support for bills that provide reasonable marijuana regulations | |
| Greg Blanc | R | Candidate has a strong voting record on marijuana regulations (100%, PSDK Score) | |
| House | ||
| Dale Bartscher | R | Candidate indicated support for bills that provide reasonable marijuana regulations and commented: Currently the state has 18,306 medical marajuana patient cardholders and the oversight of this process could be and must be overseen and regulated adequately. |
| Jace West | R | Candidate indicated support for bills that provide reasonable marijuana regulations and commented: I support medical cannabis, but the system needs reform requiring an established patient/practitioner relationship for cards is a common sense safeguard. |
| Emmett Reistroffer | R | Candidate indicated opposition to bills that provide reasonable marijuana regulations and commented: Patients should be free to choose plant-based medicine without government interference – Protect access, personal responsibility, and individual liberty, balanced with reasonable regulations for safety. |
| Jason Fleming | R | Candidate has not responded yet |
| Ken Jeakins | D | Candidate has not responded yet |
| 5) GAMBLING – Do the candidates support additional expansions of gambling? | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Senate | |||
| Nicole Mitzel | R | Candidate indicated opposition to bills that would expand gambling | |
| Greg Blanc | R | Candidate has a strong voting record resisting gambling expansion (2/2) SJR504 – 2026, SB205 – 2025 | |
| House | ||
| Dale Bartscher | R | Candidate indicated opposition to bills that would expand gambling and commented: We should not rationalize for an expedient cause-such as gambling for its revenue. We must be very careful not to enahance an ‘addiction by (word limit) |
| Jace West | R | Candidate indicated opposition to bills that would expand gambling and commented: I do not support gambling expansion. Projected benefits are outweighed by the increase in addiction, homelessness, and social costs associated. |
| Emmett Reistroffer | R | Candidate indicated support for bills that would expand gambling and commented: Support freedom and personal responsiblity without hypocrisy. Prioritize South Dakota small business over out-of-state corporations, stay competitive, use revenue for taxpayer relief – not (word limit) |
| Jason Fleming | R | Candidate has not responded yet |
| Ken Jeakins | D | Candidate has not responded yet |
Learn more about the candidates by visiting their webpages:
Nicole Mitzel – Website Link – Facebook Link
Greg Blanc – Website Link – Facebook Link
Dale Bartscher – Website Link – Facebook Link
Jace West – Website Link – Facebook Link
Emmett Reistroffer – Website Link – Facebook Link
Jason Fleming – Website Link – Facebook Link
Ken Jeakins – Facebook Link