Green Circle: Candidate has a strong voting record on this issue or submitted a strong response via survey.
Red X: Candidate has a weak voting record on this issue or submitted a weak response via survey.
No symbol: Candidate has a mixed or moderate voting record on this issue, gave an inconclusive answer via survey, or did not respond.
For full details on scoring, click here.
| 1) LIFE – Do the candidates support protections for unborn children? |
| Senate |
|
|
| Michael Rohl |
R |
Candidate has a strong Pro-Life voting record. (2022 Scorecard) |
| Susan Wismer |
I |
Candidate has a weak pro-life voting record (2020 Scorecard) |
| House |
|
|
| Tamara St. John |
R |
Candidate has a moderate Pro-Life voting record. (2020 Scorecard) |
| Steven McCleerey |
D |
Candidate has a weak Pro-Life voting record. (2018 Scorecard) |
| Joe Donnell |
R |
|
|
|
|
| 2) EDUCATION – Do the candidates support or oppose expanded educational options? (Ex: Private school opportunities, homeschooling, etc.) |
| Senate |
|
|
| Michael Rohl |
R |
Candidate has a good record supporting Education Choice. SB71 (2022), SB117 (2021) |
| Susan Wismer |
I |
|
| House |
|
|
| Tamara St. John |
R |
Candidate has a good record supporting Education Choice. SB71 (2022), SB117 (2021) |
| Steven McCleerey |
D |
Candidate has a weak record on Education Choice. SB159 (2016) |
| Joe Donnell |
R |
|
|
|
|
| 3) MARIJUANA – Do the candidates support or oppose expanding the usage of marijuana? (Ex: Recreational usage, candy edibles, home-grow, etc.) |
| Senate |
|
|
| Michael Rohl |
R |
Candidate has a voting record of support for marijuana commercialization/expansion. |
| Susan Wismer |
I |
|
| House |
|
|
| Tamara St. John |
R |
Candidate has a voting record of support for marijuana commercialization/expansion. |
| Steven McCleerey |
D |
Candidate indicated opposition via survey: “I don’t believe it should be grown in house! That’s a lack of responsibility and respect for children/grandchildren! Testing shoes poor results.” |
| Joe Donnell |
R |
|
|
|
|
| 4) STUDENT PRIVACY – Do the candidates support or oppose protections for student privacy? (In locker rooms, bathrooms, etc.) |
| Senate |
|
|
| Michael Rohl |
R |
Candidate voted against protecting Student Privacy. HB1005 (2022) |
| Susan Wismer |
I |
|
| House |
|
|
| Tamara St. John |
R |
Candidate voted against protecting Student Privacy. HB1005 (2022) |
| Steven McCleerey |
D |
Candidate voted against protecting Student Privacy. HB1008 (2016) |
| Joe Donnell |
R |
|
|
|
|
| 5) GAMBLING EXPANSION – Do the candidates support or oppose expanding gambling in South Dakota? |
| Senate |
|
|
| Michael Rohl |
R |
Candidate has a voting record in support of gambling expansion. SJR502, SB183 (2022) |
| Susan Wismer |
I |
Candidate has a record in support of gambling expansion. SJR5, SJR2 (2019) |
| House |
|
|
| Tamara St. John |
R |
Candidate has a voting record in support of gambling expansion. SJR2 (2019) |
| Steven McCleerey |
D |
Candidate has a voting record in support of gambling expansion. SJR2 (2019), SB57 (2015) |
| Joe Donnell |
R |
|
|
|
|
