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Marty Jackley on Drugs

 

 


Congress has failed us on drugs; keep drug dealers out

Candidates competing for the governor's office pointed to growing drug crime as a significant problem in South Dakota and laid out plans to address it. "The one number that's continually rising is meth, it's drugs," Attorney General Marty Jackley said. "The one area that Washington failed us on is drugs. We've known for a long time."

Jackley said Congress' inaction in passing immigration reform allowed for the country's Southern border to remain accessible for drug dealers. In turn, those drug dealers made their way to South Dakota and helped fuel the rise in drug offenses.

Jackley touted programs that he'd piloted to help offenders with addiction, including hope and drug courts and education programs. He also pointed to legislation set to take effect later this year that he said would help lock up drug dealers. "Starting July 1, those laws that are going to keep the drug dealers out of our state will go into force," he said. "And I think we're going to see less and less drugs."

Source: Argus Leader on 2018 South Dakota Gubernatorial race , May 14, 2018

Bolster rehabilitation and mental health programs for drugs

Attorney General Marty Jackley touted programs that he'd piloted to help offenders with addiction, including hope and drug courts and education programs.

His Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem, fired back, saying the state hadn't done enough in the last decade to help addicted individuals or those with mental illness access treatment. "The prevention and awareness side has been lacking," Noem said. "These people are recycling through our courts and through our jails and there needs to be a change made to make sure that doesn't keep happening." She proposed teaming with nonprofits to bolster rehabilitation and mental health treatment programs across the state.

Source: Argus Leader on 2018 South Dakota Gubernatorial debate , May 14, 2018

Maintaining my sobriety is toughest challenge I've faced

[Adam Laxalt, first TV ad]: [photo of mother with young child; Laxalt speaking offscreen]: I was born to a single mom, Michelle. Didn't know my dad growing up at all. I started drinking in Middle School. That continued to accelerate as I got into High School.

[Photo: high school lockers]: I had to go to a treatment facility [subtitle: At age 18, Adam sought treatment to overcome in alcohol addiction]

Trying to maintain sobriety is one of the toughest challenges I've ever faced

[Laxalt speaking to camera]: You start from the bottom rebuild everything

I swore into the Navy JAG Corps in 2004. In 2006 I volunteered to go over to Iraq with an army military police Brigade.

[Narrator speaking over photos]: Adam Laxalt returned home to Nevada; started a family with his wife Jamie and answered the call of service once again as our attorney general.

[photo: Glass door emblazoned with attorney general Adam Paul Laxalt] ...for the ones who need a champion.

Source: OnTheIssues AdWatch on 2018 South Dakota Gubernatorial race , Mar 20, 2018

We must explain consequences of legalized marijuana

A group backing two marijuana related ballot questions says they're concerned about the language of Attorney General Jackley's explanations. A spokesperson for the group New Approach South Dakota in passing two ballot questions legalizing recreational and medicinal marijuana says the language in the summary is unnecessarily strong: words like "trafficking" mischaracterize the intent of the ballot questions.

However, Jackley says he is tasked with drafting a 200 word explanation of a ballot question that's fair and accurate, and that he wanted voters to know of his constitutional concerns of the ballot questions. Jackley says. "We are trying to assist voters in understanding the legal consequence and the effect of the particular measures." Jackley says there are some confusing and vague provisions in the measures that, if passed, will likely require judicial or legislative clarification. Jackley did not say which provisions those were.

Source: SDPB radio on 2018 South Dakota gubernatorial race , Mar 30, 2017

Other governors on Drugs: Marty Jackley on other issues:
SD Gubernatorial:
Billie Sutton
Jamie R. Smith
Kristi Noem
Steven Haugaard
SD Senatorial:
Daniel Ahlers
John Thune
Scyller Borglum
Gubernatorial races 2025:
New Jersey Governor:
    Democratic primary June 10, 2025:
  • Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014-present)
  • Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013-present)
  • Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. NJ-5 (since 2017)
  • Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. NJ-11 (since 2019); elected Nov. 4.
  • Stephen Sweeney, N.J.Senate President (2010-2022)

    Republican primary June 10, 2025:
  • Jon Bramnick, State Senator (since 2022); Minority Leader (2012-2022)
  • Jack Ciattarelli, State Assemblyman (2011-2018), governor nominee (2021 & 2025); lost general election
  • Edward Durr, State Senator 3rd district (2022-2024); withdrew

Virginia Governor:
    Democratic primary June 17 cancelled:
  • Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025; elected Nov. 4.
  • Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.)

    Republican primary June 17 cancelled:
  • Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025; lost general election
  • Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot
  • Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent
  • Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited
Mayoral races 2025:
NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:
  • Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council
  • Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021 (Independent candidate).
  • Zohran Mamdani, New York State Assembly, 2021-2025 (Democratic nominee); elected Nov. 4.
    Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4:
  • Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent
  • Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney
  • Curtis Sliwa, Republican nominee; CEO of the Guardian Angels

Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)
    Non-partisan general election Nov. 4; runoff Dec. 2:
  • Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education
  • Steven Fulop, outgoing Mayor (2013-2025)
  • Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997)
  • Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004)
  • James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017)
  • Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023)

Oakland CA Mayor
    Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025:
  • Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025)
  • Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election
  • Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024
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