Get to know the Sioux Falls candidates for South Dakota State Legislature in Senate districts 14-25
It's almost time for South Dakotans to head to the ballot boxes to choose their representatives on the state level.
Absentee voting began Sept. 23, and South Dakotans had until Oct. 24 to register to vote. The general election will be Nov. 8.
The Argus Leader gathered biographical and professional information about the candidates running for state-wide office in the Sioux Falls area. Those elected will be headed to Pierre in January to begin their terms in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Some candidates like Herman Otten, Brent Hoffman and Tom Pischke will go straight to Pierre, after having either won their primary in June or because they are not facing a challenger.
Below, readers have the chance to meet those still vying for a seat through a series of questions asked by the Argus Leader.
Editor's note: Answers have been edited for clarity and conciseness.
District 14 Senate
Matthew Tysdal:
Age: 34
Profession: Attorney
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Political/public service experience: Former enlisted soldier in the South Dakota Army National Guard (2006 – 2012)
South Dakotans are voting on two ballot measures this year: one to expand Medicaid and one to legalize recreational marijuana. How do you plan to vote on those measures and why?
I support both measures. There are thousands of hard working South Dakotans who will benefit from expanding Medicaid because it will provide them access to healthcare. This means they can take advantage of regular preventative care and early medical intervention that will keep them healthier overall and contribute to lower long-term healthcare costs. Additionally, our economy benefits from a healthy workforce. Expanding Medicaid is good for people and good for business.
With respect to recreational marijuana, the voters spoke on this issue in the 2020 election by adopting Amendment A. South Dakotans deserve to have their will respected by their elected leaders. If the voters approve IM 27 this November, I will help carry out their will in the state Senate, and resist any legislative efforts that would seek to undermine the voters’ decision.
What is the next big challenge for South Dakota ahead of January’s legislative session that will need to be tackled, why and what can be done?
With the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the South Dakota legislature needs to prioritize the health and safety of pregnant women and children. The current trigger law needs to be clarified so that healthcare providers can make decisions based on the best interests of their patients without fear of criminal prosecution. The law should also allow exceptions for rape and incest, and better reflect the views of South Dakotans regarding the importance of the health and autonomy of the mother.
The legislature needs to focus on reducing its presence in the exam room where decisions are best left between doctor and patient, and fashion laws that reflect the beliefs and values of our citizens.
Larry Zikmund:
Age: 76
Profession: Retired, Education and Association Management
Party Affiliation: Republican
Political /public service experience: South Dakota House of Representatives for six years, South Dakota State Senate for two years, served on a City Commission for eight years, served on a city planning committee for four years, served on various Boards and Committees, Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce (Military and Veterans Affairs Committee), various National Committees including Legislative.
South Dakotans are voting on two ballot measures this year: one to expand Medicaid and one to legalize recreational marijuana. How do you plan to vote on those measures and why?
Medicaid: If voters approve Amendment D in November, as a Legislature, it will be our duty to carry out the will of the voters, while making sure we continue to balance the state’s budget and keep taxes low.
IM 27: My primary concern about recreational marijuana is illegal use by youth. I also worry about South Dakota experiencing some of the pitfalls other states have seen like increased homelessness, crime, and use of narcotics. If voters approve IM 27, state leaders will need to address these issues so we can live in a safe community with a thriving economy.
What is the next big challenge for South Dakota ahead of January’s Legislative session? It has been an honor and privilege representing the people of southeast Sioux Fallsthese past eight years. There are several summer task forces currently meeting to make recommendations to the Legislature such as the one on property taxes, and one on regional jails and state correctional plans. It is my hope that somewhere a recommendation is made to help improve our state penitentiary situation. We will need to complete these important task forces for the people of South Dakota.
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District 15 Senate
Reynold Nesiba:
Age: 56
Profession: Economics Professor
Political affiliation: Democrat
Political/public service experience: Currently serving in third term, sixth year, as State Senator for the people of District 15; serves on the Joint Committee on Appropriations (JCA), Government Operations and Audit Committee (GOAC), Retirement Law, and Legislative Procedure.
South Dakotans are voting on two ballot measures this year: one to expand Medicaid and one to legalize recreational marijuana. How do you plan to vote on those measures and why?
My wife, Erika, and I have already voted early on the third floor of the Minnehaha County Administration Building. I voted yes on both Amendment D for Medicaid expansion and IM27 for decriminalizing recreational Marijuana.
Medicaid Expansion will extend health insurance coverage to 42,500 South Dakotans that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to qualify for Affordable Care Act marketplace subsidies. Passage of this amendment will close the coverage gap.
Many of these are fellow South Dakotans who work but their employer does not offer insurance or they cannot afford to pay the premium. The federal government picks up 90% of the cost and the state will cover 10%. Because of federal incentives we would only pay a net amount of $3.9 million over the next five years from our state general fund. This is good for rural healthcare access, for workforce development, for economic development, for a more efficient way of paying what is often uncompensated care, and for the health and welfare of our people.
The people of South Dakota voted to decriminalize recreational marijuana two years ago. It would have become law, except Gov. Noem sued the state to stop it. We simply spend too many state and county dollars on investigating, arresting, prosecuting and incarcerating people for possession and use of marijuana. Let’s instead legalize it, regulate it, and tax it. IM 27 will initiate this process and respect the will of the people.
What is the next big challenge for South Dakota ahead of January’s legislative session that will need to be tackled, why and what can be done?
Like last year, the most important issue this coming session will be the budget. Can we reduce or eliminate the sales tax on food? Can we ensure the big three—education, state employees, and community providers receive cost of living adjustments that exceed the rate of inflation over the preceding year? In addition, we need to address the Medicaid reimbursement rates for long term care facilities. Budgets are moral documents! We need to care for our children and our elders and be good stewards of our public funds. This is particularly true when we remember that in SD that tax revenue comes in part from taxing baby food, infant formula, and daily bread.
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Brenda Lawrence:
Age: 49
Profession: City Carrier for Sioux Falls
Party Affiliation: Republican
South Dakotans are voting on two ballot measures this year: one to expand Medicaid and one to legalize recreational marijuana. How do you plan to vote on those measures and why?
I do not plan on voting to expand Medicaid. Expanding Medicaid will cause the state to have to budget more money for the program. Where will that money come from? Cuts from other existing programs or raising taxes. Medicaid hasn't been updated and adding more people to a broken program isn't going to make it better. Expanding Medicaid will allow some people who do have private health care to be eligible for Medicaid. This is not cost effective to the other taxpayers. We need to remember that even if this 90% is funded by the federal government it is still being funded by taxpayers.
I do not plan on voting to legalize Marijuana, if it is voted in by the people, I will support it. It is interesting that over 20 years ago people pushed to cut tobacco even though it brought in a large amount of taxes. Now tobacco is taxed hard to help prevent people from smoking, which claims that it was costing the government money to care for the health issue that smoking caused. One of the reasons people tell me they want marijuana legalized is for the taxes it will make. However, they are forgetting that it causes some of the same health issues that smoking causes. The reason I will support it if it passes is I work for the people. If that is what people voted in, it will be my job to support it.
What is the next big challenge for South Dakota ahead of January’s legislative session that will need to be tackled, why and what can be done?
Violent crime in our District continues, yet we don’t seem to be keeping pace in terms of making South Dakota neighborhoods safer. I believe the Legislature needs to commit itself to helping cities put more police on the streets, and to get tougher on both juvenile and adult offenders.
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District 25 Senate
Tom Pischke:
Age: 40
Profession: Insurance
Party Affiliation: Republican
Political/public service experience: Six years, SD House of Representatives
South Dakotans are voting on two ballot measures this year: one to expand Medicaid and one to legalize recreational marijuana. How do you plan to vote on those measures and why?
I will be voting no on the ballot measure to expand Medicaid. It’s fundamentally incorrect to insert a matter of public policy into the Constitution, even if you agree with the policy. Any future changes to Medicaid coverage in South Dakota would also need to be passed on the public ballot. The process to amend our constitution is much too cumbersome for ever-changing topics, such as health policy.
Implementing Medicaid expansion for the State of South Dakota would increase the state budget considerably. With the state responsible for this program, it will either take our tax dollars away from other programs such as public education, (so less money for teachers) or we will have to increase revenues through higher taxes. Neither of those options sound good, as I do not support solutions which increase the tax burden for South Dakotans.
What is the next big challenge for South Dakota ahead of January’s legislative session that will need to be tackled, why and what can be done?
The list of issues that need to be addressed this coming year is extensive. Issues include abortion, school choice with vouchers, 2nd Amendment Protection, dealing with ESG scores, property taxes, election integrity, marijuana and funding county jails.
Follow Annie Todd on Twitter @AnnieTodd96. Reach out to her with tips, questions and other political news at atodd@argusleader.com or give her a call at 605-215-3757.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Who is running for Senate districts 14-25 in the Sioux Falls area?
