Billie Sutton in The Associated Press


On Abortion: Moderate with pro-gun and pro-life stances

In the weeks since Billie Sutton came closer to the governor's office than any Democrat in decades, Sutton wrote in one post-election pitch that he wasn't just building a campaign but a movement--one that will "keep going and keep fighting for our shared priorities." Sutton told The Associated Press this week, "Even when you lose a race like this, that fire doesn't die out," Sutton said.

Sutton cast himself as a moderate, with pro-gun and anti-abortion stances that made him palatable to many Republican voters, to push Kristi Noem hard to the finish.

His unusual life story--a former rodeo cowboy who turned to politics after a paralyzing injury--brought him added attention, and he lost to Gov.-elect Noem by 3.4 percentage points in November. After months of campaigning, Sutton returned to work full-time at a bank in Burke. He said he's enjoying spending time with his family and watching the National Finals Rodeo.

Source: A.P. / Rapid City Journal on 2022 South Dakota Governor race Dec 14, 2018

On Abortion: Require counseling at anti-abortion crisis center

Legislative Summary:Senate Bill 110: establish pre-abortion counseling practices by abortion providers [including] mandatory third-party pre-abortion counseling.

Analysis by Dakota News Now:"Planned Parenthood has failed in their obligation to provide accurate information and counseling to these women," said a sponsor of SB110. The law requires women to decide whether or not they would like counseling from the nonprofit before having an abortion.

Argument against, in Deseret News:Planned Parenthood MN/ND/SD, which operates South Dakota's only abortion clinic in Sioux Falls, disagrees. "The stated mission of a crisis pregnancy center is to dissuade a woman from seeking abortion care," [an activist] said.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 27-8-0 on Feb/6/18; State Sen. Sutton voted YES; Passed House 56-9-0 on Feb/26/18; Signed by Governor Dennis Daugaard on Mar/7/18

Source: Deseret News & A.P. on South Dakota voting record SB 110 Feb 6, 2018

On Abortion: Require counseling at anti-abortion crisis center

Legislative Summary:Senate Bill 110: establish pre-abortion counseling practices by abortion providers [including] mandatory third-party pre-abortion counseling.

Analysis by Dakota News Now:"Planned Parenthood has failed in their obligation to provide accurate information and counseling to these women," said a sponsor of SB110. The law requires women to decide whether or not they would like counseling from the nonprofit before having an abortion.

Argument against, in Deseret News:Planned Parenthood MN/ND/SD, which operates South Dakota's only abortion clinic in Sioux Falls, disagrees. "The stated mission of a crisis pregnancy center is to dissuade a woman from seeking abortion care," [an activist] said.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 27-8-0 on Feb/6/18; State Sen. Sutton voted YES; Passed House 56-9-0 on Feb/26/18; Signed by Governor Dennis Daugaard on Mar/7/18

Source: Deseret News & A.P. on South Dakota voting record SB 110 Feb 6, 2018

The above quotations are from Columns and news articles distributed by the Associated Press in other publications.
Click here for other excerpts from Columns and news articles distributed by the Associated Press in other publications.
Click here for other excerpts by Billie Sutton.
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