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 |
|
|
| Jim Bolin |
R |
Candidate has a strong Pro-Life voting record. (2022 Scorecard) |
| Donn Larson |
D |
|
| Brian Burge |
I |
|
| House |
|
|
| Kevin Jensen |
R |
Candidate has a strong Pro-Life voting record. (2022 Scorecard) |
| Karla Lems |
R |
Candidate indicated support via survey: “I am 100% pro-life from conception on.” |
| Matt Ness |
D |
|
|
|
|
| 2) EDUCATION – Do the candidates support or oppose expanded educational options? (Ex: Private school opportunities, homeschooling, etc.) |
| Senate |
|
|
| Jim Bolin |
R |
Candidate has a good record supporting Education Choice. SB71 (2022), SB117 (2021) |
| Donn Larson |
D |
|
| Brian Burge |
I |
|
| House |
|
|
| Kevin Jensen |
R |
Candidate has a good record supporting Education Choice. SB71 (2022), SB117 (2021) |
| Karla Lems |
R |
Candidate indicated support via survey: “We have a system of public education that has largely been infiltrated with leftist ideas. We must have options such as home schools(word limit).” |
| Matt Ness |
D |
|
|
|
|
| 3) MARIJUANA – Do the candidates support or oppose expanding the usage of marijuana? (Ex: Recreational usage, candy edibles, home-grow, etc.) |
| Senate |
|
|
| Jim Bolin |
R |
Candidate has a very strong record of voting against marijuana commercialization/expansion. |
| Donn Larson |
D |
|
| Brian Burge |
I |
|
| House |
|
|
| Kevin Jensen |
R |
Candidate has a very strong record of voting against marijuana commercialization/expansion. |
| Karla Lems |
R |
Candidate indicated opposition via survey: “I have seen the effects that legalized recreational marijuana has brought to Colorado. Because the increase in traffic accidents, making it “normalized” to minors…” (word limit) |
| Matt Ness |
D |
|
|
|
|
| 4) STUDENT PRIVACY – Do the candidates support or oppose protections for student privacy? (In locker rooms, bathrooms, etc.) |
| Senate |
|
|
| Jim Bolin |
R |
Candidate has a voting record of support for protecting Student Privacy. HB1008 (2016) |
| Donn Larson |
D |
|
| Brian Burge |
I |
|
| House |
|
|
| Kevin Jensen |
R |
Candidate has a voting record of support for protecting Student Privacy. HB1005 (2022) |
| Karla Lems |
R |
Candidate indicated support via survey: “I would support the use of bathrooms and locker rooms to persons of biologic sex of birth certificate, for the safety of others who use…” (word limit) |
| Matt Ness |
D |
|
|
|
|
| 5) GAMBLING EXPANSION – Do the candidates support or oppose expanding gambling in South Dakota? |
| Senate |
|
|
| Jim Bolin |
R |
Candidate has a voting record opposing gambling expansion. SJR502, SB183 (2022) |
| Donn Larson |
D |
|
| Brian Burge |
I |
|
| House |
|
|
| Kevin Jensen |
R |
Candidate has a voting record opposing gambling expansion SJR502, HB1148 (2022), |
| Karla Lems |
R |
Candidate indicated opposition via survey: “I support regulation of gambling at the state level. I am opposed to expansion of the existing limits that are in place.” |
| Matt Ness |
D |
|
|
|
|
