1. South Dakota Right to Life Primary Edition Voter Guide
South Dakota will be having its GOP and Democratic primaries on Tuesday, June 5. Due to
the sizeable number of match ups between candidates with varying pro-life records and
views, SDRTL is distributing a voter guide in an attempt to cut through some of the
campaign rhetoric. If your race is not listed on the first three pages, flip back to the last
section to see why. In general, candidates to the right in the Senate races and toward the
top in the House races are more likely to be a stronger pro-life voice in Pierre. Remember,
voting records always trump rhetoric and that candidates can be intentionally ambiguous
about their intentions. Don’t forget to turn out to vote for LIFE on June 5th!
District 9 Senate District 12 Senate District 14 Senate District 20 Senate
Sen. Deb Peters (R-I) Rep. Lora Hubbel (R)
▪received a D rating from ▪received an A rating from
SDRTL for her 2011-2012 SDRTL for her 2011-2012
legislative voting record legislative voting record
▪in 2007 and 2008 voted ▪“I have seen abortion change
against requiring abortion the heart of a once loving girl
facilities to offer sonograms into that of a scared, wounded
(HB 1193, HB 1296, and SB 88) animal that lashed out at
▪in 2010 received a total of attempts to help her…abortion
$11,500+ from leftwing PACS similarly wounds America.”
Sen. Mark Johnston (R-I) Scott Bartlett (R)
▪received a C rating from ▪believes that “there is nothing
SDRTL for his 2011-2012 more sacred than life itself”
legislative voting record ▪opposes abortion at any
▪in 2011 voted against phase of a pregnancy
protecting women from the ▪believes that we should do
coercive practices of abortion whatever can be done to
facilities (HB 1217) preserve life no matter what
▪would not sign a pledge to the age of the person happens
repeal Obamacare to be
Deb Soholt (R) David Rose (R)
▪will not comment on views ▪“How can ending a life, young
▪first read: It is worrisome to or old be good for South
have a candidate not give any Dakota? Ending a human life
indication about her views on is reprehensible even when
life issues when her opponent legal. I remember how we
is very open about the subject. once respected life, but now
▪even more troubling is her we are more selfish. We have
endorsement from pro- to go back to thinking that life
abortion Sen. Joni Cutler is important and special.”
Sen. Mike Vehle (R-I) Steve “Sibby” Sibson (R)
▪received an F rating from ▪currently, the treasurer for
SDRTL for his 2011-2012 Mitchell Area Right to Life
legislative voting record ▪states “It was during a 2004
▪in 2009 and 2010, voted for committee hearing on abortion
embryonic stem cell research that I became solidly pro-life.
(SB 195 and SB 74) After hearing both sides, I
▪in 2009, voted to require came to the conclusion that
insurance companies to cover abortion was wrong for moral,
abortifacients (SB 134) legal, and health reasons.”
2. District 24 Senate District 30 Senate District 31 Senate District 33 Senate District 34 Senate
Sen. Tad Perry (R-I) Jeff Monroe (R)
▪received a D rating from ▪in 2001 voted for a Baby
SDRTL for his 2011-2012 Moses Law for abandoned
legislative voting record children
▪ in 2011 voted against ▪ in 2000 voted to ban non-
informed consent (HB 1217) therapeutic research involving
▪in 2012 voted against embryonic stem cells
prohibiting exchanges from ▪in 1998 voted to protect pro-
including abortion coverage in life pharmacists from
health plans (HB 1185) dispensing abortifacients
George Ferebee (R) Sen. Bruce Rampelberg (R-I)
▪supports a 72-hour waiting ▪received an A rating from
period for abortions insuring SDRTL for his 2011-2012
that women are not being legislative voting record
coerced or forced into having ▪in 2011 and 2012 voted to
abortions protect women from the
▪signed a pledge to support coercive practices of abortion
the repeal of Obamacare facilities (HB 1217 and HB
▪100% conservative rating 1254)
from Life & Liberty Group
Sen. Tom Nelson (R-I) Bob Ewing (R)
▪received an F rating from ▪opposes abortion while
SDRTL for his 2011-2012 supporting adoption options
legislative voting record ▪states: “Since an unborn child
▪in 2009 and 2010, voted for cannot make decisions for
embryonic stem cell research itself, society is responsible
(SB 195 and SB 74) for its protection. Only God
▪in 2009, voted to require can make decisions on life, we
insurance companies to cover do not have that authority
abortifacients (SB 134) when it comes to abortion.”
Michael Buckingham (R) Sen. Phil Jensen (R-I.)
▪in 2007 and 2008 voted to ▪received an A rating from
require abortion facilities to SDRTL for his 2011-2012
offer sonograms (HB 1193, HB legislative voting record
1296, and SB 88) ▪exposed the hypocrisy of
▪in 2007 voted to ban abortion abortion providers with a hog
as a form of birth control (HB housed version of HB 1150 in
1293) committee in 2012 that flipped
▪in 2006 voted to reinstate the regulatory bill back onto
South Dakota’s abortion ban Planned Parenthood
Sen. Craig Tieszen (R-I) Stacey Wollman (R)
▪received an F rating from ▪CEO of Care Net Pregnancy
SDRTL for his 2011-2012 Care Center since 2004
legislative voting record ▪believes in “protecting the
▪in 2011 and 2012 voted sanctity of life from
against informed consent (HB conception to natural death”
1217 and HB 1254) ▪opposes embryonic stem cell
▪in 2009 and 2010, voted for research
embryonic stem cell research ▪enjoined efforts to defend
(SB 195 and SB 74) informed consent bills
3. District 10 House District 13 House District 15 House District 18 House District 22 House
Jason Long (R) ▪states that “I am a strong Rep. Jenna Haggar (R-I) ▪received an A rating
District 6 House
pro-life supporter and will sponsor pro-life from SDRTL for her 2011-2012 legislative
legislation, as well” voting record
Isaac Latterell (R) ▪states that he will “protect Don Haggar (R) ▪states “I am not shy to admit
the sanctity of human life from conception to that our religious beliefs are fundamental to
natural death” and that he will “reject how we view the world, and I believe all life is
Obamacare” with all of its federal mandates precious.”
Herman Otten (R) ▪no Obamacare pledge Dave Munson (R) ▪in 2000 voted to ban non-
June Nusz (R) ▪states: “my Christian beliefs therapeutic research involving embryonic
have taught me that every life is sacred.” stem cells
District 11 House District 14 House District 16 House District 19 House
Rep. Mark Willadsen (R-I) ▪received an A G. Mark Mickelson (R) ▪states “I am pro-life. I
rating from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 believe that life begins at conception. Every
legislative voting record human life has dignity, and we need to protect
Jim Stalzer (R) ▪believes “in the sanctity of the most vulnerable in our society.”
life from conception to natural death” Steve Westra (R) ▪states “As a father every
Christine Erickson (R) ▪states that she is life is sacred, and as a society we need to do
“pro-life” everything we can to protect human life.”
Chris Karr (R) ▪will not sign a pledge to Frank Alvine (R) ▪states “As a physician,
support the repeal of Obamacare or support a father of three, and grandfather of nine, I
72-hour waiting period for abortions certainly consider myself to be pro-life.”
Rep. R. Shawn Tornow (R-I) ▪received an A Rep. Patrick Kirschman (D-I) ▪received an A
rating from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 rating from SDRTL for his 2011-2012
legislative voting record legislative voting record
Anne Hajek (R) ▪states that she is “very much ▪in 2011 and 2012 voted to protect women
pro-life.” from the coercive practices of abortion
Larry Zikmund (R) ▪states “The unborn and facilities (HB 1217 and HB 1254)
elderly are among society’s most vulnerable. Karen Soli (D) ▪will not comment
As your Legislator I will support policies that Mitch Fargen (D-I) ▪received an F rating from
protect both groups.” SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative voting
record
Rep. Jim Bolin (R-I) ▪received an A rating Thomas Bixler (R) ▪states that he is a “strict
from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 voting record defender of pro-life and does not support
Rep. Patty Miller (R-I) ▪received an A rating abortion in any form”
from SDRTL for her 2011-2012 voting record Matt Stone (R) ▪states he is “pro-life, human
Kevin Jensen (R) ▪states “life begins at life is precious and should be protected”
conception. FACT: Whether you believe a Thomas Stotz (R) ▪states that “It is my
fetus is a person or not, abortion terminates position that life begins at conception. As a
the natural progression of a human life.” natural health care provider, I believe that it
Don Lantis (R) ▪states that he “supports should be respected in all its stages.”
adoption option over abortion” Mike Stevens (R) ▪no Obamacare pledge
Rep. Stace Nelson (R-I) ▪received an A rating Jay Slater (R) ▪no official comment
from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 voting record Dick Werner (R) ▪states “I am pro-life.”
Rep. J. E. “Jim” Putnam (R-I) ▪received an A David McGirr (R) ▪will not comment
rating from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 First read: McGirr may or may not be pro-life.
legislative voting record He is certainly not very informed about the
Kyle Schoenfish (R) ▪states “I support the issue. Werner is vaguely pro-life. Slater
sanctity of human life. I am pro-life; I oppose seemed the most enthusiastic of the three in
abortion, human cloning, euthanasia, and pro-life views. This is a hard race to call, but I
assisted suicide.” put them marginally in this order. More
Roger Hofer (R) ▪“I am strongly pro-life.” participation was needed on their part.
4. District 24 House District 30 House District 32 House District 26A House
District 22 House District 29 House District 31 House District 35 House
Dale Hargens (D) ▪in 2006 voted to reinstate Rep. Mark Venner (R-I) ▪received an A rating
South Dakota’s abortion ban and voted for from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative
abortion facility inspections (SB 185) voting record
Doug Kazmerzak (D) ▪in 2000 voted to ban Tim Rounds (R) ▪in 2007 and 2008 voted to
non-therapeutic research involving embryonic require abortion facilities to offer sonograms
stem cells (HB 1193, HB 1296, and SB 88)
Rep. Peggy Gibson (D-I) ▪received an F rating Mary Duvall (R) ▪will not sign a pledge to
from SDRTL for her 2011-2012 legislative support a repeal of Obamacare or support a
voting record and managed to score the 72-hour waiting period for abortions insuring
lowest House pro-life ranking for 2011-2012 that women are not being coerced or forced
Rep. Dean Wink (R-I) ▪received an A rating Rep. Lance Russell (R-I) ▪received an A rating
from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 voting record from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 voting record
David Eatherton (R) ▪believes that “life begins Rep. Mike Verchio (R-I) ▪received an A rating
at conception and abortion should not be from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 voting record
used as birth control” and supports a 72-hour Florence Thompson (R) ▪states “If elected, I
waiting period for abortions while pledging to pledge to vote to support pro-life legislation.”
support a repeal of Obamacare Travis Bies (R) ▪will not sign a pledge to
Gary Cammack (R) ▪will not sign a pledge to support the repeal of Obamacare
support a repeal of Obamacare or support a Tim Behlings (R) ▪will not sign a pledge to
72-hour waiting period for abortions support the repeal of Obamacare
Gary Coe (R) ▪states that he is “Pro-life with Rep. Kristin Conzet (R-I) ▪received an A rating
no exception. Science supports the Bible in from SDRTL for her 2011-12 voting record
that life begins at conception.” Rep. Brian Gosch (R-I) ▪received an A rating
John Teupel (R) ▪supports a 72-hour waiting from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 voting record
period for abortions insuring that women are Jeanette Deurloo (R) ▪states “I support the
not coerced or forced concept that all humans, the unborn and the
Rep. Fred Romkema (R-I) ▪received a B rating elderly, have an inherent right to life. From
from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 voting record conception to death, each human being has a
Timothy Johns (R) ▪will not sign a pledge to purpose, a destiny. I would not want to deny
support the repeal of Obamacare that right.”
Don Kopp (R-I) ▪received an A rating from Whitney Meek (D) ▪no comment
SDRTL for his 2011-2012 voting record Troy Heinert (D) ▪no comment
Blaine “Chip” Campbell (R) ▪states: “’We the Calvin Jones (D) ▪no contact
People’ love good and wise choices. ‘Life, Trent Poignee Sr. (D) ▪no contact
Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness’ are First read: Have fun trying to contact any of
three of the finest.” these candidates. Meek was the only one
Jack Siebold (R) ▪supports a 72-hour waiting who bothered to pick up a phone. Messages
period for abortions insuring that women are only die in Heinert’s answering machine, and
not coerced or forced and signed a pledge to one may have to actually drive out to the
support the repeal of Obamacare Jones or Poignee house to get a word in.
Other Races: (do not present any life issue differences) Early voting for the June 5 primary began on
United States Representative ▪pro-abortion Jeff Barth April 20. The Republican Primary is closed to only
(D) v. pro-abortion Matt Varilek (D) Republicans. The Democratic Primary is open to
District 2 Senate ▪pro-life Art Fryslie (R-I) v. pro-life Independents and Democrats, not Republicans.
Norbert Barrie (R) Information for this voter guide was compiled
District 4 Senate ▪pro-life Tim Begalka (R-I) v. pro-life from the following sources: LRC website, SDRTL
Val Rausch (R) Pro-life Rating Scorecard, Life and Liberty Group
District 6 Senate (R) ▪pro-life Gene Abdallah (R-I) v. pro- Candidate Evaluation guide, candidate campaign
life Ernie Otten Jr. (R) websites, and phone and electronic media
▪If you still have not found your race, your district is not interviews. Please contact Spencer Cody with any
having a primary on June 5 for the legislature. comments or concerns regarding this publication
at spencercody@hotmail.com or 605-948-2449.
