State of South Dakota Archives: on Civil Rights
Dennis Daugaard:
Government shouldn't redefine marriage
Question topic: Marriage is a union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Daugaard: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 S.D. Gubernatorial campaign
Sep 28, 2014
Gordon Howie:
Government imposed quotas are wrong
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Legally require hiring women & minorities"?
A: Strongly oppose - government imposed quotas are wrong and counterproductive.
Source: E-mail interview: 2014 S.D. Senate race with OnTheIssues.org
Sep 18, 2014
Gordon Howie:
Marriage is a religious institution between a man & a woman
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Comfortable with same-sex marriage"?
A: Strongly oppose - Marriage is a religious institution between a man and a woman.
Source: E-mail interview: 2014 S.D. Senate race with OnTheIssues.org
Sep 18, 2014
Joel Dykstra:
No same-sex civil unions
Q: Should South Dakota recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
A: No.
Source: 2006 S.D. Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2006
Joel Dykstra:
No affirmative action in government decisions
Q: On affirmative action: Should race, ethnicity or gender be taken into account in state agencies' decisions on: Public employment?A: No.
Q: State college and university admissions?
A: No.
Q: State contracting?
A: No.
Source: 2006 S.D. Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2006
Dusty Johnson:
Voted against bill codifying same-sex/interracial marriage
South Dakota's lone congressman voted against a House bill to codify same-sex and interracial marriage. The bill passed with bipartisan support. Johnson joins 157 other Republicans who voted against the measure. "Access to contraception and
gay marriage aren't going anywhere," Johnson said in an emailed statement. "The bills the Democrat majority put on the floor this week, though, are rushed, overreaching attempts to play politics, and I can't support them."
Source: S.D. Public (PBS News) on 2026 South Dakota Governor race
Jul 20, 2022
Page last updated: Mar 14, 2026