Mike Rounds in 2014 SD Senate debate

On Budget & Economy: Don't promise everything then borrow it from next generation

On potential tax increases, Independent Gordon Howie said, "We've had enough. It's not a problem that we are taxed too little. The problem is we have a bloated government and we need to rein it in."

On overcoming the current do-nothing Congress, Republican Mike Rounds said, "They don't want folks to come on in and promise everything and then turn around and borrow it from the next generation."

Independent Gordon Howie says Congress must get the federal budget in line. "We can cut our spending, we can reduce our debt and we can stop government growth."

On Environment: Rein in the Environmental Protection Agency

On Civil Rights: Legal contracts for gay couples, but not marriage

Rounds, like Howie, said he believes "marriage is between a man and a woman." Beyond that, Rounds said romantic partners can enter into contracts to do things that already are legal but opposes changing the law to allow same-sex couples privileges currently reserved for married couples.

"If two individuals, or 3 or 4 or 12 individuals, want to contract with one another, as long as those contracts are legal, I have no problem with those folks contracting with one another to do what is a lawful activity," Rounds said. As to what constitutes a lawful contract, Rounds said the courts, not lawmakers, will decide. "We'll have opportunities in the future to address questions of what are legal contracts," Rounds said.

On Energy & Oil: Tax energy exploration on federal land instead of gas tax

"I know any tax increases are politically unpopular, but we absolutely must rebuild our nation's highways, and we cannot add any more to the national debt," Pressler said in a statement.

Two other candidates didn't rule out an increase in the gas tax, but said other solutions need to be tried first. "Until we exhaust every other option, I wouldn't consider a gas tax increase--especially with this administration in control of the money," Republican Mike Rounds said in a statement. Rounds said he would prefer to look at "spending reforms, alternative revenue options such as revenue from energy exploration on federal lands" or "reforms that provide greater flexibility to the states and local contractors."

Democrat Rick Weiland said he wouldn't "ask any South Dakotan to pay more taxes on gasoline."

On Corporations: $75M in Future Fund grants to support entrepreneurialism

By comparison, a total of 55 grants were handed out in 2013, totaling $12.8 million. Rounds told the Capital Journal the increase in Future Funds during his final year in office occurred as the state's businesses attempted to recover from the recession. "As we came out of the recession and new manufacturers started showing up, they would apply for workforce development grant funds," he said. Rounds called Future Funds "one of the best tools South Dakota has for economic development efforts."

The Future Fund provides S.D.'s businesses support for workforce development and technical assistance programs, as well as encourages entrepreneurial activities.

On Health Care: Shut down ObamaCare but don't shut down government

Two notable exceptions are former S.D. Gov. Mike Rounds (R) and Alaska Lieutenant Gov. Mead Treadwell (R), who have not fully embraced the efforts. Rounds applauded the House bill, but he didn't go as far as saying he'd be willing to have the government shut down in order to force the issue.

"I support the House CR--keep government running and shut down ObamaCare," he said. "We don't know what (Senate Majority Leader) Harry Reid will do to the CR on the Senate side, but it's a fight worth having. This is a prime example of the importance of Republicans recapturing the Senate in 2014."

On Immigration: Border security first, then a limited path to citizenship

Rounds says border security has to come first, to be completed before a path to citizenship for immigrants here illegally can begin. "After the borders are secure, create a new line for immigrants to enter," Rounds said, with plenty of preconditions and limitations. "Illegal aliens should not be allowed to apply for citizenship until after other individuals have the opportunity first," he said. "They should start paying taxes, they should also have to register. Once other individuals have entered the line, perhaps 10 to 15 years from now, they may also apply for citizenship. This is not amnesty. They should be eligible for benefits during this 15 year time period."

Weiland, on the other hand, said there's no reason why border security and a path to citizenship can't proceed at the same time.