Candidate Forum held at Watertown’s Goss Opera House (Audio)
May 7, 2024
Mike Tanner
WATERTOWN, S.D.–With South Dakota’s June 4th primary election now just a few weeks away, voters are getting a chance to know the candidates a bit better.
On Monday night, a candidate forum was held at the Goss Opera House in Watertown.
First to take the stage were the two Republican candidates for Codington County State’s Attorney (pictured).
The challenger is Alison Bakken who formerly worked in the office of her opponent as the deputy state’s attorney. She says that was a great training ground for her, and the experience she gained was invaluable…..
Speaking of experience, Becky Morlock-Reeves has been the state’s attorney since 2017…
Morlock-Reeves says she turned over the recent murder trial of Jeremiah Peacemaker to the attorney general’s office for prosecution because it was, “in the best interest” to accept their help.
Bakken says if she’d been in charge, she would’ve prosecuted the case herself.
Next up, the two Republican candidates for the District 2 Codington County Commission seat talked up various issues.
One of those topics is another possible vote on a new county jail this fall. Here’s candidate Tyler McElhany…
The incumbent commissioner is Charlie Waterman. He also addressed the jail issue…
The last trio to take the stage was the three Republican candidates for the District 5 House seat in the State Legislature. Byron Callies is running for a second term. He pointed to one issue he accomplished in term one….
Former Watertown City Attorney Matt Roby is on the ballot for District 5 House. His grandfather Tom Roby served in the South Dakota Senate, and was a former Watertown mayor. Matt Roby describes himself, and what he stands for politically…
The third candidate is Josephine Garcia, who is opposed to the idea of building a carbon capture pipeline across eastern South Dakota……
Garcia told KWAT News, “if Covid was not enough of wearing a mask, were going to be wearing gas masks if we continue to go the way we’re going with that pipeline.”
Tonight, a candidate forum will be held at the Goss at 6 p.m. featuring the District 4 candidates for South Dakota House and Senate.
