Four District Four House candidates meet at Watertown candidate forum  (Audio)

May 2, 2022
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–Four Republican candidates running for seats in District 4 in the South Dakota House of Representatives took the stage Tuesday night at the Watertown Event Center for a candidate forum sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce.

Incumbent Fred Deutsch of Florence is running for another term. Challengers are former state lawmaker Val Rausch of Big Stone City, former Bryant Mayor Stephanie Sauder, and political newcomer Adam Grimm of Wallace.

One of the questions that came up was about ethanol-blended fuel. Grimm is not a fan…

Deutsch responded to a question about school consolidation, and essentially abandoning the local school district model in South Dakota…’

The pending impeachment trial of Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg was addressed. Rausch said it’s, “sad that he (Ravnsborg) is still in office…

When it comes to reducing the number of counties in South Dakota, which stands at 66, and consolidating county services, Sauder supports keeping things the way they are, and keeping the number of counties right where they’re at…

The candidates were also asked about a half-penny sales tax to fund regional jail construction in South Dakota, and their opinions on hemp, medical and recreational marijuana.

The primary election is June 7th. The general election is November 8th.

Hear the full District 4 candidate forum by clicking the link below: