Meet South Dakota gubernatorial candidates Gov. Kristi Noem and Rep. Jamie Smith

Gov. Kristi Noem wants a second term to serve another four years as the head of South Dakota leadership. Rep. Jamie Smith (D-Sioux Falls) wants to be the next Democrat in in a state that hasn't seen one in the Governor's Mansion since 1979.

As voters get ready to head to the ballot boxes, the Argus Leader asked each candidate a similar set of six questions for residents to have the opportunity to learn more about them before they decide who to support ahead of Election Day.

Absentee voting started Sept. 23, while the general election is on Nov. 8. Here's a look at their responses:

Editor's note: Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

Gov. Kristi Noem

Running Mate: Lt Gov. Larry Rhoden

Profession: Lifelong farmer and rancher, small business owners, first female Governor of South Dakota

Family: Husband Byron; Kids: Kassidy and her husband Kyle, Kennedy and her fiancé Tanner, and Booker; Mother Corrine; Siblings: Rob, Rock and Cindy; Granddaughter: Addie

More:Where has South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem's $900K civics initiative gone?

Argus Leader: How would you rate your leadership the past four years? What lessons would you bring with you if reelected?

Noem: I always try to be teachable. My dad always told me that you can learn a lesson even from your worst critic. I truly believe that South Dakota is the strongest state in the country today. That isn’t because of me – it’s because of our people. I just trusted them to do the right thing, helped them where I could and kept government out of the way otherwise.

If the people continue to trust me with four more years in office, I will continue to trust in the Freedoms that have made South Dakota the strongest state in America. I will also bring the input that I’ve heard from folks across the state, especially that the issues of workforce, housing, and childcare need to be further addressed. South Dakota has taken challenges and turned them into opportunities, and that is what I will do in these areas.

Argus Leader: Looking forward at the upcoming legislative session, it’s expected abortion will play a big role. How do you see this playing out in the legislature?

Noem: South Dakota is focusing on helping mothers who may be facing a tough situation, and I think that the conversation in the legislature will focus on how else we can help them out. We will have discussions about areas like paid family leave, crisis pregnancy resources, and childcare. In the meantime, I would continue to encourage moms and expecting moms to visit Life.SD.gov.

Argus Leader: If recreational marijuana passes this year, how will you respond this time?

Noem: As I’ve said before, if the people pass a constitutionally sound measure, I will do my job and implement it.

Argus Leader: The incumbent tends to have the advantage in reelection races. What do you think you bring to the table that Rep. Jamie Smith doesn’t?

Noem: I bring a unique perspective to the role of Governor. I’m a wife, mom, and grandmother. I’ve been an employee and an employer. I’ve owned businesses and started them from scratch. I know the challenges that inflation and regulation bring to families and small businesses. I use this experience everyday in my role as Governor to help the people of our state pursue opportunities and their dreams.

My opponent wants to raise your taxes, implement mandates, take away constitutional rights, grow government, and control your children’s education. I fundamentally disagree and believe in a different path for South Dakota.

More:What you need to know about Gov. Kristi Noem's proposed sales tax cut on groceries

Argus Leader: What kind of upcoming challenges do you anticipate the state facing in the next four years?

Noem: Because of our strong economy, we have 27,000 open jobs in the state. We need to continue to recruit and train skilled workers to fill those jobs. We’re keeping more of our young South Dakota residents in the state, and we need to continue that. We’re leading the nation in new housing development, but we need to keep that up and fix the red tape issues with the housing dollars the legislature appropriated this past year. We need to continue expanding childcare options for our residents. And we need to fight back against the federal overreach, the inflation and the infringement on our constitutional liberties that’s coming out of Washington.

I've proven that I am a problem-solver, and the people of South Dakota trust me to take these on.

Rep. Jamie Smith

Running mate: Rep. Jennifer Keintz

Profession: Realtor

Family: Wife Kjerstin and two sons: Johnathan and Isaac

Argus Leader: You’ve been in government for six years and have served as House minority leader. Why do you want to shoot for the Governor’s Mansion when a Democrat hasn’t occupied the building since 1979?

Smith: I'm a unifier. I was a coach and teacher for many years, and during that time, I found a passion for helping people reach their fullest potential. Right now, our state government isn't reaching its fullest potential. In fact, it's failing. I'm running for governor, because no matter where someone stands politically, I'm able to bring my colleagues in Pierre together to solve issues that matter to South Dakotans.

More:'A desperate political stunt': Lawmakers slam Gov. Kristi Noem's proposed grocery tax cut

Argus Leader: Looking forward at the upcoming legislative session, it’s expected abortion will play a big role. How do you see this playing out in the legislature?

Smith: Abortion is a needed healthcare procedure for women all over our state. Kristi Noem's total abortion ban is both unreasonable and cruel. Having no exceptions for rape, incest, or fatal fetal anomalies is not what our state wants. While I don't know how it will play out in the legislature next session, I do know we must find common ground to do all we can to protect mothers in the state of South Dakota.

Argus Leader: How would you work with a Republican dominated legislature?

Smith: I would have an open-door policy in my office for all colleagues who want to work for the people of this great state. I have a proven track record of reaching across the aisle and getting meaningful legislation passed on behalf of South Dakota. At the end of the day, my Republican colleagues know where I stand and know I will meet them where they are. Together, I believe we can pass many meaningful bipartisan pieces of legislation for South Dakota.

Argus Leader: What do you bring to the table that you think Gov. Noem has not been able to address in her four years as governor?

Smith: Something that Kristi Noem hasn't demonstrated during her time in office, which I will establish on day one, is trust. Trust that I'll tell the truth, that I won't use the office for personal gain or to benefit my family, that I'm going to enact the will of the people when they vote for something, and that I'm focused on bettering South Dakota over building my national political profile. I also get along with people, even when they don't share my views. Gov. Noem doesn't even get along with most members of her own party. I'm here to bring back trust, integrity, and dedication to the office.

More:Gov. Kristi Noem, Jamie Smith gubernatorial race is tight, according to SDSU Poll director

Argus Leader: What kind of upcoming challenges do you anticipate the state facing in the next four years?

Smith: I anticipate that both Medicaid and recreational marijuana will pass this election. We're going to need a responsible and effective way to implement both of those programs. We also have a childcare crisis in our state that's getting worse. Right now, it costs a family an average of $10,000 per child to send to daycare. That is not sustainable. We need to come together to discuss solutions to help make it more affordable for families to work while knowing their children will be safe.

Follow Annie Todd on Twitter @AnnieTodd96. Reach out to her with tips, questions and other community news at atodd@argusleader.com or give her a call at 605-215-3757.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota Governor candidate questions Kristi Noem, Jamie Smith