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 |
|
|
| Julie Frye-Mueller |
R |
Candidate has a strong Pro-Life voting record. (2022 Scorecard) |
| House |
|
|
| Dennis Krull |
R |
Candidate indicated support via survey: “Pro Life” |
| Trish Ladner |
R |
Candidate has a moderate Pro-Life voting record. (2022 Scorecard) |
| Bret Swanson |
D |
Candidate indicated opposition via survey: “Women and their doctors should make these decisions. None of the state’s business.” |
|
|
|
| 2) EDUCATION – Do the candidates support or oppose expanded educational options? (Ex: Private school opportunities, homeschooling, etc.) |
| Senate |
|
|
| Julie Frye-Mueller |
R |
Candidate has a good record supporting Education Choice. SB71 (2022), SB117 (2021) |
| House |
|
|
| Dennis Krull |
R |
Candidate indicated opposition via survey: “The State provides millions of dollars in State aid already.” |
| Trish Ladner |
R |
Candidate has a mixed voting record on Education Choice. SB71 (2022), SB117 (2021) |
| Bret Swanson |
D |
Candidate indicated opposition via survey: “I support public education.” |
|
|
|
| 3) MARIJUANA – Do the candidates support or oppose expanding the usage of marijuana? (Ex: Recreational usage, candy edibles, home-grow, etc.) |
| Senate |
|
|
| Julie Frye-Mueller |
R |
Candidate has a very strong record of voting against marijuana commercialization/expansion |
| House |
|
|
| Dennis Krull |
R |
Candidate indicated via survey: “Do not have enough info on this but I would follow the will of District 30.” |
| Trish Ladner |
R |
Candidate has a very strong record of voting against marijuana commercialization/expansion |
| Bret Swanson |
D |
Candidate indicated support via survey: “The people of South Dakota already decided this. Power to the people.” |
|
|
|
| 4) STUDENT PRIVACY – Do the candidates support or oppose protections for student privacy? (In locker rooms, bathrooms, etc.) |
| Senate |
|
|
| Julie Frye-Mueller |
R |
Candidate indicated support via survey: “I spoke in favor of this bill and do NOT want students of the opposite sex sharing bathrooms, locker rooms, shower rooms or sleeping rooms.” |
| House |
|
|
| Dennis Krull |
R |
|
| Trish Ladner |
R |
Candidate has a voting record of support for protecting Student Privacy. HB1005 (2022) |
| Bret Swanson |
D |
Candidate indicated opposition via survey: “This is not the legislature’s purview.” |
|
|
|
| 5) GAMBLING EXPANSION – Do the candidates support or oppose expanding gambling in South Dakota? |
| Senate |
|
|
| Julie Frye-Mueller |
R |
Candidate has a voting record in support of gambling expansion. SJR502 (2022), SJR2 (2019) |
| House |
|
|
| Dennis Krull |
R |
|
| Trish Ladner |
R |
Candidate has a voting record opposing gambling expansion. HB1138 (2022) |
| Bret Swanson |
D |
Candidate indicated opposition via survey: “Worse addiction than meth.” |
|
|
|
