Steven Haugaard
Republican | South Dakota
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Steven Haugaard
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
Governor
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
South Dakota State University, Brookings, B.S., 1979
University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Juris Doctor, 1983
WORK & MILITARY
Cullen Law Firm in Olympia, Washington, Intern
Licensed Real Estate Broker
Haugaard Law Office, PC, 1984 - Present
University of Sioux Falls, Adjunct Faculty Member
AFFILIATIONS
Grace Baptist Church, Sioux Falls, SD, Member, Minnehaha County Board of Mental Illness
(25 year Former) Board Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Representative, 2015-Present
Speaker Pro Tempore, 2018
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Governor, 2022
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
OTHER (1)
Michael Flynn
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Ted Cruz (2016)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
None.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Continue to monitor radical elements throughout the world and encourage stabilization / assimilation of those who have moved here.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
I have supported protection of Israel by sponsoring Anti-BDS legislation.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
D. Healthcare is not a fundamental right. There are many options to meet the needs of those less fortunate without the need to substitute government programs for family, church, and community organizations.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
It needs to be simplified. It should not be used for social engineering and should be used only for the sake of raising adequate revenue to fund only those services that are truly the responsibility of government.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
National government spending needs to be restrained in the area of expansive social programs that can be better addressed at the family, church, and community level. In addition to that, there are reductions needed in nearly every division of federal government. States are better equipped to assess their needs as well as the manner in which to meet those needs.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
Historically and constitutionally, only 'primary' education was a requirement of the state. Our state's constitution recites the basis for public education as being necessary to ensure a "stable republic". That "stability" of the "republic" was based upon shared values which would best inform the citizens so they can intelligently vote for their Representatives.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Border security is a health and safety issue. It is also an issue which can ensure stability in our business, education, social services, corrections, and other aspects of our country and the demands on government services.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Immigration has traditionally been allowed to draw productive citizens to our country as well as to allow a safe haven for those who have no other options to protect themselves.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
Education should reflect support for morality and academic achievement. That can be enhanced by offering students options that can include school choice, which will presumably create appropriate competition with a view toward excellence.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
There is a need to ensure funding for both law enforcement AND address mental health as it does impact the needs of law enforcement. Law enforcement needs to be fully funded as does mental health, community programs, addiction treatment and related areas.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None. However, there are those who might be experiencing mental health or other personal problems that would necessitate protection of themselves or others. Those restraints should only be exercised on a very limited basis and should ensure return of those rights as soon as any such issues resolve.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Government is ordained to achieve societal needs of safety and protection. It is to be limited and it is in need of constant restraint.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Google my name and read various articles and websites which report upon my voting record and viewpoints.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No felony(ies) and no civil or criminal action for sexual misconduct or any related offense.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
We need to regularly review our government policies and ensure that they are consistent with our Christian heritage which is reflected in our Federal Constitution and our State Constitution. The branches of government need to be balanced and each needs to represent the best interests of the citizens in light of our faith. I and my wife have been married for nearly 45 years, we have 8 children and 22 grandchildren. I am serving in an effort to use my life experience to serve the best interests of the public.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
Our state constitution Article 8, Section 1 says: "The stability of a republican form of government depending upon the morality and intelligence of the people, it shall be the duty of the legislature to establish and maintain a standard and uniform system of education....open to the public." The context of this Article was the fact the preamble expresses "Thanks to Almighty God" and the Dakota Territory Code included laws against Christian Sabbath Breaking and Blasphemy against Jesus Christ.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Strongly Agree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian. That statement is based upon the fact that I became aware of my personal condition of sin, my need to repent, and my personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I believe God's grace toward me is "God's unearned love and favor" AND grace is also "the power and the desire to do God's Will". I believe the Bible is God's revealed Word and that I should abide by that Word, but I cannot "earn" my way into heaven.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I believe secure elections will reduce vote fraud. The solution to any voting issues will likely be accomplished with smaller precincts and the use of paper ballots.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism seemed to be on the decline for many decades, but it has now been substantially increased for what appears to be political goals. Whenever political agendas shape policy there is a great likelihood that domestic security will be compromised. Racism seems to be used as a justification for domestic conflict.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
Reparations are an insult to those who overcame adversity and lived their lives in such a way as to find personal and societal success.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A. Energy policy can achieve both "clean air and water" as well as recognize the natural ecology that preserves itself through God's creation. As Christians, we have a responsibility to respect God's creation and to discover the intricacies and science of His creation.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
Fracking has been used long enough to discover most of the problems associated with the removal of gas and oil, and it can help us to once again achieve energy independence.
