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.” |
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|
|
| 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.” |
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| 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.” |
|
|
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| 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.” |
|
|
|
2022 Election Information
Marijuana
Ballot Measures (D & 27)
District 01
District 02
District 03
District 04
District 05
District 06
District 07
District 08
District 09
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
District 27
District 28
District 29
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
District 34
District 35
Explanation of Scores
