Wayne Stenehjem in 2016 ND Governor's race

On Civil Rights: LGBT protection in housing & jobs, but religious freedom too

Nelson: Yes.

Stenehjem: I do support extending anti-discrimination protections for the LBGT community in housing and employment. One thing that will be necessary is to establish that discrimination in that area is a problem that needs to be addressed. No one should have to worry about finding a job or a place to live because of their sexual orientation. But these protections must also be accompanied by protections for religious freedom, especially as it relates to small business.

Burgum: As with any legislation, the specific language is very important. I believe no one should be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation and would want to work with the legislature to appropriately address this issue.

On Drugs: Warn of dangers of new opioid drugs; but help addicts too

Stenehjem: Addressing this crisis is a key priority for me. Addressing the acute shortage of licensed treatment professionals for substance abuse and mental illness is the core of the plan. A state-wide public awareness campaign is also part of my plan. We need to put a face on the heroin and opioid epidemic. Both school-age children and adults should be warned of the dangers of new powerful drugs invading North Dakota. These drugs are killing people and we must be communicating the hazards. The funding for this program will come from prison reform. We need to reduce corrections spending and reinvest the savings into strategies that reduce recidivism and increase public safety. We still need to lock up the bad guys but we can do a better job helping good people that suffer from addiction problems and mental health issues.

On Health Care: Questioned ObamaCare on constitutionality & carve-outs

On Abortion: Exceptions for rape & incest, but sign other pro-life bills

Becker said he was pro-life and that it's the government's responsibility to protect human life. Stehehjem said he'd have signed the legislation and is pro-life. He also recognizes exceptions for rape and incest.

Burgum took a different tone, rejecting labeling sides and saying he'd prefer to put the issue to a vote of the people. "This is too important for any one person to vote on," Burgum said of signing abortion legislation.

Stenehjem latched on to Burgum's statement, saying the Legislature passes bills and it's up to the governor to act. "You have to make a decision," Stenehjem said.

On Budget & Economy: Rainy day funds and budget cuts work

Becker, touting his staunch fiscal conservative principles, said he'd have submitted a far smaller budget to begin with. "We wouldn't have found ourselves in the situation we're in now," Becker said, adding that with a smaller budget "I won't have to take out that red pen and line-item veto."

On Drugs: Marijuana has no positives

Stenehjem said he's spoken to attorney generals in other states where marijuana has been legalized and didn't see any positives, vowing to vote against it. "North Dakota will not be healthier or safer," Stenehjem said.

On Energy & Oil: Diversify economy with value-added energy and agriculture

"What we need to do is improve our whole tax climate," Becker said. Becker said rather than provide a wide array of tax incentives the rates should be lower in order to benefit everyone and eschew picking winners and losers.

Stenehjem said the problem with the reliance on oil revenue is the large impact it has on income and sales tax collections. He succinctly outlined a key platform plank his administration would have in solving the problem. "Diversity, diversity and diversity," Stenehjem said: ways to diversify the state's economy is to push for value-added energy and agricultural products as well as grow the state's unmanned aerial systems industry.

On Budget & Economy: Diversify our economy: drones, fertilizer, & infrastructure

With a growing economy as well as an increasing and younger population, entrepreneurship can thrive, according to Stenehjem, adding that, with the right tax policy and regulatory regimen, the state can attract new businesses and remain strong for decades

Stenehjem said the state can play a role in promoting a strong business climate through incentives and good loan programs among other things. "We really have made some remarkable progress," Stenehjem said.

On Crime: Launched state's sex offender website

Since taking office Wayne has:
• Launched the state's sex offender website to provide parents and other concerned citizens with access to information about the most dangerous sex offenders in the state.
• Has worked diligently to eliminate domestic violence in the state. He was awarded the "Love Without Fear Award" by the Abused Adult Resource Center, noting that, during his years in the Legislature, he had been a sponsor or cosponsor of every piece of legislation enacted in the state designed to curb domestic violence.
• Introduced an online Identity Theft program, designed to provide victims with "one click" access to all the information and forms necessary to document and identity theft.
• Launched the state's "Cold Case Investigations" squad to assist local law enforcement agencies with unsolved missing person and homicide cases. The squad utilizes advances in forensics and DNA technology and new investigative techniques to re-investigate evidence and explore new leads.

On Drugs: Make drug enforcement a priority

Since taking office Wayne has:
• Made drug enforcement a priority, proposing legislation to developing a drug enforcement initiative which coordinates law enforcement, health and human service agencies, and as well as addiction counseling, youth education, and stronger penalties for offenders.
• Worked to enact and enforce legislation to curb methamphetamine (meth) use and addiction in the state by restricting retail sales of certain products used to manufacture meth, to provide mandatory treatment for drug offenders, and increase criminal penalties for drug offenders.
• Established a sobriety pilot program to keep repeat drunk drivers from drinking and driving. Under the 24/7 Sobriety pilot program, repeat DUI offenders in the program area are ordered to complete breath alcohol testing twice a day as a condition of bond.
• Established, in 2010, the RX TAKE BACK Program, to provide a safe and secure way for residents to dispose of unwanted medications at no cost.