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State Representative District 4 {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

Description: The South Dakota State Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of South Dakota. It is a bicameral legislative body, consisting of the Senate which has 35 members, and the House of Representatives, which has 70 members. The two houses are similar in most respects; the Senate alone holds the right to confirm gubernatorial appointments to certain offices. The Legislature meets at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre. It begins its annual session of the second Tuesday of January each year. The legislative session lasts 40 working days in odd-numbered years, and 35 days working days in even numbered years.Term: 4 consecutive 2 year termsSalary: $16,348/year + $178/day for legislators who reside more than 50 miles away from the capitolRequirements for Office: 21 years old; 2 years residency; qualified voter; may not have been convicted of bribery, perjury or other infamous crime; may not have illegally taken "public moneys".Petition Requirements: Depends on party and legislative district. See SD Secretary of State's website for details.

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    Fred Deutsch
    (Rep)

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    Emelia Enquist
    (Dem)

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    Gary William Hudiburgh III
    (Rep)

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    Dylan C Jordan
    (Rep)

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    Ryan Kohl
    (Rep)

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    Kent Roe
    (Rep)

Biographical Information

What should state government do to support access to affordable housing?

What should state government do to support equitable, quality public education (pre-K through higher ed) for all?

How do you view the initiative and referendum process in South Dakota? Are there any changes to this system that you would support?

Considering recently passed laws, what will you be watching for to ensure all eligible voters have equal access to the ballot box while maintaining the security and integrity of our elections?

What, if anything, should our state government do to support access to affordable, quality childcare?

What do you see as the most important challenges facing our state?

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South Dakota communities like Gary demonstrate that affordable housing solutions work best when they are locally driven. We have HUD-supported options with good availability, and that is a model worth building on regionally. State government should focus on removing barriers for businesses and developers investing in housing, particularly in rural areas where the market alone may not respond quickly enough. Equally important is public education, ensuring families know what pathways and programs exist and that the process of purchasing or renting a home is clear, fair, and accessible to everyone. We should celebrate what is working, strengthen those models, and invest in the people and communities ready to lead the way.
South Dakota's greatest asset is its people, and investing in education is investing in our future. We should support local control of schools while ensuring every district, rural or urban, has access to adequate funding and resources. Vocational and technical education deserves equal standing alongside traditional four-year pathways.

For our tribal and rural communities nontraditional educational pathways (Expanding on CTE) are necessary to ensure that trauma-informed education is provided that shortens the pathway from high quality education to good paying careers.

I have an active project called the Dakota Bridge Cooperative that seeks to solve this very challenge. https://dakotacornerstone.com/dakota-bridge-cooperative
Under God the People Rule.

The initiative and referendum process is one of the most direct expressions of democracy we have. South Dakotans have a long tradition of civic engagement, and I deeply respect the right of citizens to bring issues directly to the ballot. I believe in transparency and accessibility in this process. Any reforms should focus on ensuring that petition drives are free from fraud or manipulation, that ballot language is clear and honest, and that voters have access to good information before they decide. I would be cautious about changes that raise barriers to citizen participation. The process should remain a genuine tool for everyday South Dakotans, not just well-funded outside interests.
Election integrity and voter access are not competing values, they are complementary ones. Every eligible voter should be able to cast a ballot conveniently and confidently, and every vote should be counted accurately.

In a district as rural as ours, I will be watching closely to ensure that distance, transportation, and limited local infrastructure do not create practical barriers for voters. Tribal communities in particular deserve equal access and culturally competent outreach. I support common-sense measures that make voting convenient for legitimate voters while maintaining the accountability that builds public confidence. I will oppose any measures that disproportionately burden working families, elderly voters, or rural residents.
Childcare is a workforce issue, an economic issue, and a family issue all at once. When parents cannot find reliable, affordable childcare, they cannot fully participate in the workforce, and rural communities feel this acutely. I support state incentives that help businesses and communities develop local childcare options, particularly in underserved rural areas. Faith communities, nonprofits, and small businesses can all play a role here, and government should be a partner that removes barriers rather than creates them. We should also look at expanding home-based provider licensing pathways and supporting childcare workforce development, because providers deserve sustainable wages too. Investing in childcare is investing in the next gen.
South Dakota faces real challenges but also extraordinary opportunity. Workforce development tops my list. We have employers across manufacturing, agriculture, energy, and healthcare who cannot find enough qualified workers, while too many of our young people leave the state for lack of a clear pathway home. We must build bridges between education, training, and careers here in South Dakota. Rural vitality is the second challenge. Our small towns and tribal communities hold tremendous potential that too often goes untapped. Infrastructure, broadband access, housing, and economic development in these areas should be state priorities. Finally, we must address the quiet crisis of behavioral health in rural communities. Mental health access.
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