Daniel Ahlers in The Argus-Leader


On Education: Improve educational services for deaf children

Ahlers listed his legislative accomplishments as helping to balance the state's budget while serving on the Appropriations Committee, improving funding for schools, increasing Medicaid reimbursements to critical need service providers, helping fund the new State Veteran's Cemetery and establishing an advisory council to improve the delivery of educational services for children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Source: Argus-Leader on South Dakota legislative voting records Sep 26, 2019

On Government Reform: Establish commission for legislative redistricting

Ahlers is currently leading a petition drive to ask voters on the 2020 ballot whether an amendment should be added to the South Dakota Constitution establishing a commission to complete the legislative redistricting that occurs every decade after the census.
Source: Argus-Leader on 2020 South Dakota senate race Sep 26, 2019

On Gun Control: Vetoed allowing concealed carry of guns at state capitol

Legislative Summary: House Bill 1156: To allow a concealed pistol in the Capitol with an enhanced concealed pistol permit.

Analysis by Sioux City Argus-Leader: The state Supreme Court chambers would be excluded and anyone who wanted to carry would need to register with Capitol security 24 hours beforehand. The bill's sponsor said the bill is aimed at ensuring security in the Statehouse by allowing those who've taken a handgun training and undergone an FBI background check.

Veto Message : The law enforcement officers who protect our Capitol building have specialized training which is repeated on a regular basis. In contrast, South Dakotans who hold an enhanced concealed pistol permit were required to undertake approximately 8 hours of instruction, just once.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 19-15-1 on 3/6/17; Vetoed by Gov. Daugaard 3/27/17; House Sustained Veto 42-27 on 3/27/17; Rep. Ahlers voted NO on veto override.

Source: Sioux City Argus-Leader on South Dakota voting record HB1156 Mar 27, 2017

On Homeland Security: Helped fund the new State Veteran's Cemetery

Ahlers listed his legislative accomplishments as helping to balance the state's budget while serving on the Appropriations Committee, improving funding for schools, increasing Medicaid reimbursements to critical need service providers, and helping fund the new State Veteran's Cemetery. He has received the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development and Henry Toll fellowships for state government leaders through the Council of State Governments.
Source: Argus-Leader on South Dakota legislative voting records Sep 26, 2019

The above quotations are from Media coverage of South Dakota political races in The Sioux City Argus-Leader.
Click here for other excerpts from Media coverage of South Dakota political races in The Sioux City Argus-Leader.
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Page last updated: Feb 01, 2026