State of South Dakota Archives: on Principles & Values
Gordon Howie:
Strongly supports keeping God in the public sphere
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Keep God in the public sphere"?
A: Strongly support - http://gordonhowieforsenate.com/america-needs-god/
Source: E-mail interview: 2014 S.D. Senate race with OnTheIssues.org
Sep 18, 2014
John Thune:
Running for 4th Senate term: breaking the "Curse of Karl"?
Nixon was sworn in as president in 1969 and Senator Karl Mundt seemed poised to have a great deal of influence. But that December, he suffered a stroke. He never returned to the Capitol but would not resign his Senate seat. South Dakota was left with a
single vote on the Senate floor. The Curse of Karl was born.While Mundt is the only senator to win four terms, there have been five three-termers. Thune is nearing the end of his third term in the Senate. That seems hard to believe for those of us
who remember the explosive 2004 campaign he waged against Sen. Daschle. It was the most-expensive race in state history and drew national attention. Thune won by about 4,500 votes, unseating the Senate Democratic leader 197,848, or 50.6%, to 193,340,
or 49.4%.
Former state Sen. Billie Sutton ran a strong race for governor in 2018 and surely will be asked to either try a rematch with Gov. Kristi Noem in 2022 or run against Thune. He may be the Democrats' best hope in either race.
Source: S.D. Standard on 2022 South Dakota Senate race
Nov 29, 2020
Kristi Noem:
South Dakotans build the American Dream by working hard
We are number one in the nation for personal income growth over the past several years. That is how South Dakotans build the American Dream by working hard and earning more than they have before. We have the fastest growth of housing developments.
We have the most family-owned businesses of any state. We have the most registered hunters per-capita of any state. And we were recognized for making the best decisions by the American Legislative Exchange Council. Common Cause explanation:
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is a corporate lobbying group that brings together corporate lobbyists and politicians to draft and vote--as equals and behind closed doors--on "model bills" that often benefit the
corporations' bottom line. These model bills, drafted without public input, are then introduced in state legislatures across the country, usually with ALEC's involvement concealed.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.D. legislature
Jan 10, 2023
Kristi Noem:
I believe South Dakota is the freest state in the nation
I believe South Dakota is the freest state in the nation. We fight to defend our constitutional rights. We ensure that every South Dakotan has the right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Our nation was built on Freedom--but our
constitutional freedoms are under assault from Washington D.C. America needs South Dakota's example of how conservative policies and values make people's lives better. These policies bring success and hope.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.D. legislature
Jan 10, 2023
Kristi Noem:
We're in the greatest nation in the history of the world
We live in the strongest and greatest nation in the history of the world. With that greatness comes unique challenges. But we aren't afraid of challenges.
As President Harry S. Truman famously said, "America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand."
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.D. legislature
Jan 10, 2023
Brian Bengs:
Public officials should lead, follow, or get out of the way
Public officials have a duty to lead, follow, or get out of the way. Our country has many issues deserving greater attention and action but if a political party isn't interested partisans are far too content to do nothing.
Regular folks know not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts but action is better than inaction.
Source: 2026 S.D. Senate campaign website BengsForSouthDakota.com
Aug 20, 2025
Dusty Johnson:
Faith, family and freedom are pillars of our nation
Thune, Rounds and Johnson all say religion is central to their lives. Thune has said his faith in Christ is "the foundation for pretty much everything I do." Rounds, in an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, reflected on faith
and his job. "It's a matter of making the right decision long term. I think that's something that all of us as Christians should be doing." Johnson has said "faith, family and freedom are pillars of our nation."
Source: S.D.Searchlight on 2026 South Dakota Gubernatorial race
Apr 18, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026