Jamie R. Smith in 2022 SD Governor's race
On Abortion:
I think abortion should be rare but legal
When asked about a possible citizen-led initiative campaign to codify a right to an abortion, Smith said the issue is on many people's radar. "Every time I speak it's a question that gets asked about my stance on this,"
Smith said. "I think abortion should be rare but legal and in doing so people seem to understand where I'm at and where my stance is. I think I fall in line with the majority of South Dakotans."
Source: KELO on 2022 South Dakota Gubernatorial race
Jun 16, 2022
On Budget & Economy:
Promoting sustainable growth will be prioritized
Bringing good-paying jobs into South Dakota is of the utmost importance.
South Dakota has so much untapped potential when it comes to our labor force. Promoting sustainable growth will be prioritized from day one.
Source: 2022 South Dakota Governor campaign website SmithForGov.org
Aug 14, 2022
On Drugs:
Recreational marijuana should be legalized in South Dakota
The people of South Dakota voted for the legalization of recreational marijuana and that vote was not only ignored, but impeded by Governor Noem at every turn.
The Governor's office should never use state dollars in order to sue and overturn the will of the people. Recreational marijuana should be legalized in South Dakota.
Source: 2022 South Dakota Governor campaign website SmithForGov.org
Aug 14, 2022
On Education:
The first thing we should do in our budget is pay teachers
He outlined his priorities, putting education and teacher pay at the top of his list. According to the National Education Association, South Dakota ranked 50th in the nation for teacher salaries. during the 2019-20 school year and again during the
2020-21 school year. Data for 2021-22 is not available on the NEA website. "The first thing we should do in our budget is pay teachers," Smith indicated. He noted the state's ranking when it comes to teacher pay and said, "We need to work on that."
Source: Madison Daily Leader on 2022 South Dakota Gubernatorial race
Aug 11, 2022
On Gun Control:
We should have a concealed carry permit in the state
We asked Gubernatorial candidate Jamie Smith about gun violence. "I believe that we should have a concealed carry permit in the state. I believe it. Over 80% of South Dakotans believe that too. And we got rid of that.
And I also voted against carrying in the Capitol, and the legislature again, in their extreme wisdom, decided no, we should do that even though the people that protect us, the Highway Patrol, thought that maybe that wasn't the best," said Smith.
Source: Dakota News Now on 2022 South Dakota Gubernatorial race
Aug 5, 2022
On Health Care:
Expanding Medicaid crucial to our rural communities
Expanding Medicaid in South Dakota is crucial for protecting our rural communities and essential workers.
It will allow thousands to stay insured, get access to medication, and see a doctor.
Source: 2022 South Dakota Governor campaign website SmithForGov.org
Aug 14, 2022
On Principles & Values:
Public leaders should be able to reach across the aisle
Despite our differences, public leaders on both sides of the political spectrum should be able to reach across the aisle for common-sense solutions to real South Dakota problems.
Unity is possible and approaching issues by seeing the humanity in one another is the way to end the infighting in Pierre.
Source: 2022 South Dakota Governor campaign website SmithForGov.org
Aug 14, 2022
On Abortion:
Uphold state abortion ban: no exceptions for rape or incest
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem indicated during her reelection campaign's lone debate with her Democratic challenger, state lawmaker Jamie Smith, that if reelected she will uphold the state's abortion ban that provides no exceptions for rape or incest.
The Republican governor explained her position simply as "pro-life," while pledging to push for expanded parental leave in the state and alleviate the toll of inflation on people's budgets.
Smith called Noem's stance extreme and said it was endangering women's lives and causing concern among physicians for its lack of clarity on when an abortion is allowed--only to save the life of a pregnant
woman. "It's clear to me that South Dakotans overwhelmingly support a woman's right to an abortion," Smith said. "We talk about freedom all the time, except the freedom to make this choice."
Source: US News and World Report on 2022 South Dakota Governor race
Oct 1, 2022
On Civil Rights:
Critical race theory not a problem in South Dakota schools
Smith touted his work as a teacher and coach and sought to criticize Noem for leaning on the work of a conservative college in Michigan, Hillsdale College, to remake the state's social studies standards.Noem in turn said she was working to
elevate parents' voices in education and accused Smith of being a proponent of so-called critical race theory--an academic framework that examines American history through the lens of racism. He said that is not a problem in South Dakota's schools.
Source: US News and World Report on 2022 South Dakota Governor race
Oct 1, 2022
On Health Care:
COVID face coverings keeps people healthy & businesses open
In regards to the pandemic, Smith said by doing little things like using face coverings, we can ensure that people stay healthy and keep businesses open. Smith said 3,000 people died in the state of South Dakota, and it's a larger number per capita than
surrounding states. Smith was not using COVID as a political football. He said in a pandemic, we need to work together and speak to doctors to make sure we can stay safe as a community.Defending her actions during the pandemic, Noem said, "I got up
every day thinking of you." She said she talked to health care professionals and listened to their advice.
[Libertarian nominee Tracey] Quint said shutting everything down caused mental health issues. However, contracting COVID caused physical issues.
Quint said allowing people to have a personal choice is something she believes in, and the government did not have the authority to impose precautionary actions on South Dakotans.
Source: KEVN Black Hills Fox on 2022 South Dakota Governor race
Oct 2, 2022
On Tax Reform:
Pushed for years to repeal state's 4.5% tax on food sales
Noem claimed the state has the "strongest economy" in the nation, crediting her decision to forgo government restrictions during the pandemic. But she also turned attention to the squeeze that inflation is putting on household budgets.
She said she hears from many people who are "struggling because they can't pay their grocery bill. They're struggling because they can't pay gas prices." Earlier this week, she promised to push for repeal of the state's 4.5% tax on food sales.
But Smith was quick to point out that was an initiative he has been pushing for years, and when the House passed the proposal in March, support from Noem was lacking. Noem publicly opposed the proposal after the state Senate dismissed it in March, but
she said [in the debate] that it was an idea she supported and her office had been working on it.
Recently, South Dakota's economic growth has lagged behind the rest of the country. Last year, it had the 15th lowest growth in GDP among states.
Source: US News and World Report on 2022 South Dakota Governor race
Oct 1, 2022
Page last updated: Feb 14, 2023