South Dakota

This webpage houses the responses to 7 questions crafted by the South Dakota Stance on Science team.

Only official candidates who will appear on ballots were contacted.

Candidates were contacted in September 2026 (with a follow-up to those who did not initially respond) and given the opportunity to answer all questions. Only the responses of candidates who answered the questions are included. None of the candidates' responses were modified in any way before being published on this resource page.

For the November 2026 General Election, only candidates in the following elections were contacted:

1. Distrust in science has been on the rise among the general public and policymakers, which has been associated with changes in federal funding for scientific research. In order to bridge this gap, how do you think scientists and policymakers can work together to strengthen their communication? (see "Science Funding" and "Trust in Science")
2. South Dakota is a leader in renewable energy production in the United States. What policies, if any, would you support related to continued alternative energy development, regulation, and/or research, and why? (see "Energy")
3. Tribal nations play an important role in South Dakota’s environmental stewardship, but many face challenges in accessing resources and infrastructure for environmental science, land management, and water monitoring. What policies, if any, would you support to strengthen tribal capacity in these areas, and why? (see "Environment" and "Science Diplomacy")
4. South Dakota farmers face challenges including shifting weather patterns, localized droughts, fluctuating input costs, and global market pressures. What policies or investments, if any, would you support to help farmers remain productive and economically competitive, and what role could scientific research and innovation play in those efforts? (see "Agriculture" and "Jobs and Workforce")
5. Many communities face shortages in healthcare providers and limited access to specialty care. What policies, if any, do you support to address this daily challenge and do you envision emerging technologies playing a role? (see "Public Health")
6. With the massive energy usage associated with data centers, what is your stance on creation of these data centers across the state considering economic opportunities created by their rapid growth and long-term benefits for South Dakota communities, as well as concerns about energy consumption, water usage, grid reliability, and environmental impact? (see "Artificial Intelligence", "Energy", "Environment", and "Jobs and Workforce")
7. What specific forms of AI regulation do you support, and where would you draw the line between necessary oversight and overregulation that could slow innovation? (see "Artificial Intelligence")