2012 South Dakota Right to Life General Election Voter Guide

1. South Dakota Right to Life General Election Voter Guide
The general election for President, U.S. Representative, and numerous state and local
offices is set for November 6. SDRTL is distributing a voter guide in an attempt to cut
through some of the campaign rhetoric on life issues. If your legislative race is not listed in
this voter guide, it is not a contested race. In general, candidates to the right in the federal
races and toward the top in the legislative races are more likely to be stronger pro-life
voices in Washington and Pierre, respectively. Remember, voting records always trump
campaign rhetoric and candidates can be intentionally ambiguous about their record and/or
views on issues concerning life. Don’t forget to turn out to vote for LIFE on November 6 th!
Barack Obama (D-I) Mitt Romney (R)
U.S. President
▪“I am pro-choice. I believe in ▪“I support the reversal of Roe
Roe v. Wade.” v. Wade because it is bad law
▪“With one more vacancy on and bad medicine.”
the court, we could be looking ▪“I will support efforts to
at a majority hostile to a prohibit federal funding for
woman’s right to choose for any organization like Planned
the first time since Roe v. Parenthood, which primarily
Wade, and that is what is at performs abortions or offers
stake in this election.” abortion-related services.”
▪Three days into office he nullified the pro-life ▪“I support the Hyde Amendment, which
“Mexico City Policy,” which banned federal broadly bars the use of federal funds for
funding of abortions through foreign aid. abortions.”
▪The White House issued a statement ▪“Obamacare will violate that crucial first
attacking the No Taxpayer Funding for principle of medicine: ‘do no harm.’”
Abortion Act (H.R. 3): “If the President is
presented with H.R. 3, his senior advisors ▪“. . . on day one I will eliminate the Obama
would recommend that he veto the bill.” Administration rule that compels religious
institutions to violate the tenets of their own
▪On March 23, 2010, he signed the Patient faith. Such rules don’t belong in the America
Protection and Affordable Care Act that I believe in.”
(ObamaCare) into law, which will provide
funding for health plans that pay for abortion “On pro-life issues, Mitt Romney and Barack
on demand, and will lead to the rationing of Obama provide a stark contrast. As the
lifesaving medical treatments. country's most pro-abortion president, Barack
Obama has pursued a radical pro-abortion
▪The Obama Administration issued a “final agenda. It is now time for pro-life Americans
rule” mandating that religious schools and to unite behind Mitt Romney. For the sake of
hospitals provide health insurance that unborn children, the disabled, and the elderly,
covers certain drugs or procedures, even if it we must win.” ~National Right to Life
violates their religious and moral convictions. President Carol Tobias
Matt Varilek (D) Kristi Noem (R-I)
▪“I believe that in early stages ▪“I am, and always have been,
of pregnancy this painful pro-life. From the miracle of
U.S. Rep.
decision should remain with a conception to a dignified
woman and her family.” death, life is precious and
▪First read: His rhetoric seems should be protected. The
similar to Sandlin’s. If elected, federal government has no
he would likely be in the business forcing taxpayers to
pocket of the abortion industry pay for abortions. I’ll maintain
just as much as she was. a 100% pro-life voting record.”

2. Sen. Art Fryslie (R-I) ▪received an A rating Rep. Al Novstrup (R) ▪received an A rating
District 3 Senate
District 2 Senate
from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative from SDRTL for his 2011-12 voting record
voting record ▪in 2011 and 2012 voted to protect women
▪in 2012 voted to prohibit exchanges from from the coercive practices of abortion
including abortion coverage in health plans facilities (HB 1217 and HB 1254)
(HB 1185) Rep. H. Paul Dennert (D) ▪received an F rating
▪in 2011 voted to recognize the valuable role from SDRTL for his 2011-12 voting record
that pregnancy help centers play in helping ▪in 2012 voted to commemorate abortion on
women (SCR 1) demand as a fundamental reproductive right
Chuck Welke (D) ▪refused to respond (HCR 1001)
Rep. Tim Begalka (R) ▪received an A rating Sen. Ried Holien (R-I) ▪received an A rating
District 5 Senate
District 4 Senate
from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 voting record from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative
▪in 2012 voted to prohibit exchanges from voting record
including abortion coverage in health plans ▪in 2012 voted to prohibit exchanges from
(HB 1185) including abortion coverage in health plans
Rep. Steven Street (D) ▪received an F rating (HB 1185)
from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 voting record ▪in 2011 and 2012 voted to protect women
▪in 2012 cosponsored a bill designed to shut from the coercive practices of abortion
down pregnancy help centers by placing facilities (HB 1217 and HB 1254)
undue regulations upon them (HB 1150) Jeff Dunn (D) ▪refused to respond
District 7 Senate District 10 Senate District 12 Senate
District 8 Senate District 11 Senate District 13 Senate
Sen. Larry Tidemann (R-I) ▪received an F Sen. Russell Olson (R-I) ▪received an A rating
rating from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative
legislative voting record voting record
Pamela Merchant (D) ▪in 2009 voted to ▪in 2012 voted to prohibit exchanges from
mandate insurance companies to cover birth including abortion coverage in health plans
control measures with abortifacients (SB 134) (HB 1185)
▪in 2009 and 2010 voted for embryonic stem ▪in 2011 and 2012 voted to protect women
cell research (SB 195 and SB 74) from the coercive practices of abortion
▪actively involved with Stand Up South facilities (HB 1217 and HB 1254)
Dakota, which is a far-left pro-abortion group Charles J. Johnson (D) ▪refused to respond
Sen. Shantel Krebs (R-I) ▪received an A rating Sen. Todd Schlekeway (R-I) ▪withdrawn
from SDRTL for her 2011-2012 legislative Tom Cool (D) ▪refused to respond
voting record First read: Of all the names that are presently
▪in 2011 and 2012 voted to protect women being thrown around to possibly replace
from the coercive practices of abortion Senator Schlekeway, either Lora Hubbel or
facilities (HB 1217 and HB 1254) Kerri Weems would provide very strong pro-
▪in 2011 voted to recognize the valuable role life representation in Pierre. Both have a solid
that pregnancy help centers play in helping pro-life voting record, and both have a history
women (SCR 1) of vocally standing up for important pro-life
Paul A. Thompson (D) ▪refused to respond issues.
Sen. Mark Johnston (R-I) ▪received a C rating Sen. Phyllis M. Heineman (R-I) ▪received an A
from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative rating from SDRTL for her 2011-12 legislative
voting record voting record
▪in 2011 voted against protecting women from ▪in 2011 voted to recognize the valuable role
the coercive practices of abortion facilities that pregnancy help centers play in helping
(HB 1217) women (SCR 1)
▪however, in 2012 he decided to vote to Sam Khoroosi (D) ▪in 2011 donated $250 to
protect women from the coercive practices of SD Campaign for Healthy Families PAC, which
abortion facilities in the “fix it” bill (HB 1254) is a far-left pro-abortion political group that
Kent Alberty (D) ▪refused to respond routinely smears pro-life candidates

3. District 15 Senate District 17 Senate District 19 Senate District 21 Senate District 25 Senate
District 14 Senate District 16 Senate District 18 Senate District 20 Senate District 22 Senate
Deb Soholt (R) ▪refused to respond Kathy Miles (I) ▪in 2009 and 2010 voted
Brian Kaatz (D) ▪refused to respond against embryonic stem cell research (SB 195
▪First read: We are not too enthused about and SB 74)
either candidate. Soholt has been dodging Angie Buhl (D-I) ▪received an F rating from
our inquiries since May still refusing to have a SDRTL for her 2011-2012 legislative voting
public position on life issues. As far as we record and managed to score the lowest
can tell, Kaatz is not going to be an Senate pro-life ranking for 2011-2012
improvement over Soholt. We are still ▪in 2012 sponsored a bill designed to shut
holding out hope that Soholt doesn’t turn into down pregnancy help centers by placing
Joni Cutler 2.0 once in office. Time will tell. undue regulations upon them (HB 1150)
Sen. Dan Lederman (R-I) ▪received an A rating John S. Chicoine (R) ▪“I am pro-life. I believe
from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative life begins at conception.”
voting record Rep. Tom Jones (D) ▪received an F rating
▪in 2012 voted to prohibit exchanges from from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 voting record
including abortion coverage in health plans ▪in 2012 voted to commemorate abortion on
(HB 1185) demand as a fundamental reproductive right
▪in 2011 and 2012 voted to protect women (HCR 1001)
from the coercive practices of abortion ▪in 2012 voted against prohibiting exchanges
facilities (HB 1217 and HB 1254) from including abortion coverage in health
Michael O’Conner (D) ▪could not contact plans (HB 1185)
Sen. Jean M. Hunhoff (R-I) ▪received an A Rep. Frank J. Kloucek (D) ▪received an A
rating from SDRTL for her 2011-2012 rating from SDRTL for his 2011-2012
legislative voting record legislative voting record
▪in 2012 voted to prohibit exchanges from Bill Van Gerpen (R) ▪in 2010 voted against
including abortion coverage in health plans mandating insurance companies to cover
(HB 1185) birth control measures that included
▪in 2011 voted to recognize the valuable role abortifacients (HB 1156)
that pregnancy help centers play in helping ▪in 2001 voted for the Baby Moses Law to
women (SCR 1) provide for the care of abandoned children
David L. Allen (D) ▪refused to respond and the termination of parental rights (SB 92)
Sen. Mike Vehle (R-I) ▪received an F rating Sen. Billie H. Sutton (D-I) ▪received an A
from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative rating from SDRTL for his 2011-2012
voting record legislative voting record
Quinten L. Burg (D) ▪in 2010 voted against ▪in 2011 and 2012 voted to protect women
mandating insurance companies to cover from the coercive practices of abortion
birth control measures that included facilities (HB 1217 and HB 1254)
abortifacients (HB 1156) ▪in 2011 voted to recognize the valuable role
▪in 2007 and 2008 voted against requiring that pregnancy help centers play in helping
abortion facilities to offer sonograms (HB women (SCR 1)
1296, SB 88, and HB 1193) John S. Meyer (R) ▪refused to respond
Rep. Jim White (R) ▪received an A rating from Sen. Tim Rave (R-I) ▪received an A rating
SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative voting from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative
record voting record
Chris Studer (D) ▪"Life begins at conception Dan Ahlers (D) ▪in 2009 voted for embryonic
and all life is precious. With little chance of stem cell research (SB 195)
outlawing abortion, I’d support legislation to ▪in 2009 voted to mandate insurance
make adoption easier, increase sex education companies to cover abortifacients (SB 134)
and provide access to contraception to ▪in 2007 and 2008 voted against requiring
prevent unwanted pregnancies.” abortion facilities to offer sonograms (HB
1296, SB 88, and HB 1193)

4. District 33 Senate
District 26 Senate
Sen. Kent Juhnke (R-I) ▪received an A rating Rep. Phil Jensen (R) ▪received an A rating
from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative
voting record voting record
Larry J. Lucas (D) ▪received an F rating from ▪in 2012 exposed the hypocrisy of abortion
SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative voting providers with a hog housed version of HB
record 1150 in committee that flipped the regulatory
▪in 2011 and 2012 voted against informed bill back onto Planned Parenthood
consent bills that protected women from the Matt McGrath (I) ▪refused to respond
coercive practices employed by abortion ▪has publicly attacked Jensen’s sterling pro-
facilities (HB 1217 and HB 1254) life record
Rep. Brock L. Greenfield (R-I) ▪received an A Rep. David Novstrup (R-I) ▪received an A
District 3 House
District 2 House
rating from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 rating from SDRTL for his 2011-2012
legislative voting record legislative voting record
Rep. Burt E. Tulson (R-I) ▪received an A rating Dan Kaiser (R) ▪“Our forefathers created a
from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative republic to safeguard our rights — one of
voting record those being our right to life. We need to
Danny Miles (D) ▪refused to respond protect life.”
Dennis E. Nemmers (D) ▪refused to respond Zachary Anderson (D) ▪refused to respond
Bill Antonides (D) ▪refused to respond
Fred Deutsch (R) ▪“I will vote to protect the Rep. Melissa Magstadt (R-I) ▪received an A
District 4 House
District 5 House
unborn, the elderly, and others too weak to rating from SDRTL for her 2011-2012
protect themselves…I AM PRO-LIFE.” legislative voting record
James E. Gilkerson (R) ▪“I believe that human Rep. Roger Solum (R-I) ▪received an A rating
life begins at the moment of conception.” from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative
Kathy Tyler (D) ▪“I am a pro-life Democrat. I voting record
do not believe in abortion at any stage of a Dorothy Kellogg (D) ▪could not contact
pregnancy.”
Jim Peterson (D) ▪in 2002 voted to urge the
FDA to reconsider RU-486 (HCR 1012)
Isaac Latterell (R-I) ▪states that he will Rep. Scott Munsterman (R-I) ▪received an A
District 6 House
District 7 House
“protect the sanctity of human life from rating from SDRTL for his 2011-2012
conception to natural death” and that he will legislative voting record
“reject Obamacare” with its federal mandates Brian Roehrich (R) ▪“I firmly believe that
Herman Otten (R) ▪refused to comment human life begins at conception and I
Michael Christopher Jauron (D) ▪could not strongly encourage alternative solutions to
contact difficult situations.”
Joseph Weis (D) ▪indicated that he is “pro- Linda A. Brandt (D) ▪refused to comment
choice” but is unwilling to issue a public Rep. Spencer Hawley (D-I) ▪received an F
statement to further explain that view rating from SDRTL for his 2011-12 record
District 8 House
Leslie J. Heinemann (R) ▪“I believe in the Rep. Steve Hickey (R-I) ▪received an A rating
District 9 House
protection of life from conception until natural from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative
death, and I will support legislation that voting record
advances these objectives.” Rep. Bob Deelstra (R-I) ▪received a C rating
Scott Parsley (D) ▪refused to respond from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative
Roy J. Lindsay (D) ▪refused to respond voting record
Mark Anderson (D) ▪refused to respond

5. District 11 House District 14 House District 17 House District 19 House District 21 House
District 10 House District 12 House District 16 House District 18 House District 20 House
Rep. Jenna Haggar (R-I) ▪received an A rating Jim Stalzer (R) ▪states that he believes “in the
from SDRTL for her 2011-2012 voting record sanctity of life from conception to natural
Don Haggar (R) ▪“I am not shy to admit that death”
our religious beliefs are fundamental to how Christine M. Erickson (R) ▪states that she is
we view the world, and I believe all life is “pro-life”
precious.” Jim Larson (D) ▪refused to respond
Jo Hausman (D) ▪refused to respond Darrell D. Solberg (D) ▪in 2010 voted for a bill
that would have mandated insurance
companies to cover birth control measures
that included abortifacients (HB 1156)
Rep. Manny Steele (R-I) ▪received an A rating Anne C. Hajek (R) ▪states that she is “very
from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 voting record much pro-life.”
Rep. Hal Wick (R-I) ▪received an A rating from Larry P. Zikmund (R) ▪“The unborn and
SDRTL for his 2011-2012 voting record elderly are among society’s most vulnerable.
Mike Knudson (D) ▪refused to respond As your Legislator I will support policies that
Susan M. Randall (D) ▪refused to respond protect both groups.”
▪First read: Considering the ever evolving Jeff Winters (D) ▪“Abortion should be illegal
leftward lurch of the Knudson brand of except in cases of rape, incest, or the health
politics, we should be grateful if Mike is only of the mother.”
equally as bad as his father on pro-life issues. Marc S. Feinstein (D-I) ▪received an F rating
from SDRTL for his 2011-12 voting record
Rep. Jim Bolin (R-I) ▪received an A rating Nancy Rasmussen (R) ▪“I support Right to
from SDRTL for his 2011-12 voting record Life. I am a mother of three children and have
Rep. Patty Miller (R-I) ▪received an A rating been a caregiver of my aging mother’s. I
from SDRTL for her 2011-12 voting record value the quality of life.”
Ann Tornberg (D) ▪“I am pro-life and pro- Ray Ring (D) ▪refused to comment
child. To me that means, not just fighting to ▪records indicate that he has been active in
help children enter the world, but standing up Right to Life in the past
for education, health care, and the programs Marion Sorlien (D) ▪refused to comment
which help children and families in need.”
Stanley Jacobson (D) ▪could not contact
Thomas D. Stotz (R) ▪“It is my position that Rep. Stace Nelson (R-I) ▪received an A rating
life begins at conception. As a natural health from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative
care provider, I believe that it should be voting record
respected in all its stages.” Kyle Schoenfish (R) ▪“I support the sanctity
Mike Stevens (R) ▪refused to respond of human life. I am pro-life; I oppose abortion,
Rep. Bernie Hunhoff (D) ▪received an F rating human cloning, euthanasia, and assisted
from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative suicide.”
voting record Alan Fenner (D) ▪refused to respond
Charlie Gross (D) ▪refused to respond
Rep. Lance Carson (R-I) ▪received an A rating Julie Bartling (D) ▪in 2009 voted against
from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative mandating abortifacient coverage (SB 134)
voting record ▪in 2006 sponsored pro-life legislation (HB
Rep. Tona Rozum (R-I) ▪received an A rating 1215 and SJR 2)
from SDRTL for her 2011-2012 legislative Rep. Dave Scott (R-I) ▪received an A rating
voting record from SDRTL for his 2012 voting record
Dave Mitchell (D) ▪refused to respond Lee Qualm (R) ▪“I believe all humans deserve
James V. Schorzmann (D) ▪refused to protection of life which begins at conception
respond and ends at the time chosen by God.”
Gary W. Coleman (D) ▪refused to respond

6. District 25 House District 32 House District 34 House District 26B House
District 22 House District 27 House District 33 House District 35 House
Dick Werner (R) ▪“I am pro-life.” Rep. Jon Hansen (R-I) ▪received an A rating
Dale Hargens (D) ▪has a mixed record on life from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative
Jay B.K. Slater (R) ▪speaking with him in early voting record
May, he indicated that he was pro-life. But, on ▪in 2012 sponsored legislation that prohibited
May 21st, he publicly told voters that he was exchanges from including abortion in health
pro-choice. Apparently, he is both a pro- plans (HB 1185)
abortionist and a little loose with the truth. Scott W. Ecklund (R) ▪"I am strongly pro-life."
Rep. Peggy Gibson (D-I) ▪received an F rating ▪has testified in Pierre on behalf of pro-life
from SDRTL for her 2011-2012 voting record legislation
▪lowest pro-life rating in the House for 2011-12 Bill Laird (D) ▪refused to respond
Elizabeth May (R) ▪has publicly pledged to Rep. Kristin Conzet (R-I) ▪received an A rating
support legislation to nullify the from SDRTL for her 2011-2012 legislative
implementation of Obamacare voting record
Kathleen Ann (I) ▪refused to comment Rep. Brian Gosch (R-I) ▪received an A rating
Rep. Kevin Killer (D-I) ▪received an F rating from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative
from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 voting record voting record
▪in 2012 voted to commemorate abortion on Jackie Swanson (D) ▪refused to respond
demand as a fundamental reproductive right
(HCR 1001)
Rep. Jacqueline Sly (R-I) ▪received an A Rep. David Lust (R-I) ▪received an A rating
rating from SDRTL for her 2011-2012 from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative
legislative voting record voting record
▪in 2011 voted to recognize the valuable role Rep. Dan Dryden (R-I) ▪received a B rating
that pregnancy help centers play in helping from SDRTL for his 2011-12 voting record
women (SCR 1) Mike Reardon (I) ▪could not contact
Scott W. Craig (R) ▪"I am thoroughly pro-life, John C. Willman (D) ▪“I believe that abortion
from conception to the grave." should be: legal, safe and rare. To ensure
Robin A. Page (D) ▪refused to respond this, birth control must be available at a
reasonable cost.”
Don Kopp (R-I) ▪received an A rating from James Schaefer (R) ▪received an A rating
SDRTL for his 2011-2012 legislative voting from SDRTL for his 2011-2012 voting record
record ▪in 2011 and 2012 voted to protect women
Blaine “Chip” Campbell (R) ▪“’We the People’ from the coercive practices of abortion
love good and wise choices. ‘Life, Liberty, facilities (HB 1217 and HB 1254)
and the Pursuit of Happiness’ are three of the ▪in 2012 voted to prohibit exchanges from
finest.” including abortion in health plans (HB 1185)
Shane Liebig (D) ▪refused to respond Maynard J. Konechne (D) ▪“I believe life
Jay Pond (D) ▪refused to respond should begin at conception and end with
natural death.”
This voter guide reflects a complete list of contested Remember, to bring a form of ID along to the
legislative races as of August 9. Since the deadline to polls in order to vote and that the polls are open on
replace a vacancy created by a candidate that has election day 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM legal time.
withdrawn is August 14, this may no longer be a Information for this voter guide was compiled
complete list of all candidates on the November ballot. from the following sources: LRC website, SDRTL
Early voting for the general election begins Pro-life Rating Scorecard, SDRTL Primary Edition
September 21 and can be done either in person at your Voter Guide, Campaign for Liberty candidate
county auditor’s office or through the mail by absentee campaign website, various social media, and
ballot. phone and electronic media interviews. Please
The deadline for registering in person for the contact Spencer Cody with any comments or
November election is October 22. Registrations sent concerns regarding this publication at
through the mail must be received by October 22. spencercody@hotmail.com or 605-948-2449.