Meet the Candidate: Curt Voight

Voight will face incumbent David Johnson

Curt Voight is seeking his first-term in the South Dakota state Senate in District 33. The district consists of an area west of Rapid City, and continues into the Black Hills until Silver City.

The Dakota Scout sent a series of questions to all legislative candidates running in contested races for the state House and Senate in the June 4 primary election. Candidates were asked to limit their responses to each question to 150 words or less.

Age: 78
City of residence: Rapid City
Profession: Retired educator, U.S. Army infantry sergeant
Public service/community service experience: Breadroot Food Coop Board, Love INC Board, Assistant Fire Chief Doty Volunteer , Manage Agriculture LLC
Family information: Spouse Jan of 54 years, three daughters and five grandchildren

1) What's the government's role in facilitating economic development in South Dakota?

Economic development can not supersede the rights of individuals while riding on the wave of financial prosperity and power. 

2) If you could have dinner with any person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

I would choose Abraham Lincoln.  History appears to be repeating itself.  A divided nation can not stand. Lincoln did right for humanity at great cost to himself and to all who lived during the Civil War.  As a nation we are again at the crossroads of history where either under God the people rule or the temporary road of power and prosperity for an elite few.  Seeking God's wisdom is not the challenge.  It takes Godly humanity to walk God's counsel. The challenge is demonstrating humility in the midst of money, power and egos.

3) Does the "Landowner Bill of Rights" -- adopted by the Legislature amid opposition to carbon pipeline companies using eminent domain -- strike the right balance between the interests of property owners, counties and the ag industry - and should voters get a say when they head to the polls in November?

The nation and state have a bill of rights for those they serve - we the people. We do not need a Bill of Rights for a special interest entity. To suggest this is a consideration of eminent domain is lacking. This is not a question of public use. It is a question of a private entity circumventing the rights of property owners for personal gain driven by speculation, money and power.