Meet the Candidate: Eric Hohman

Hohman seeking first-term in Legislature

Eric Hohman is seeking his first-term in the state Legislature in District 16. In a primary for one seat in the state Senate, he’ll face longtime House lawmaker Kevin Jensen.

District 16 is south of Sioux Falls, and includes the communities of Lennox, Beresford and Canton.

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: 67
City of residence: Canton
Profession: Retired Banker, newspaper publisher and small business owner 
Public service/community service experience: Actively served on the following Boards: Red Cross, Sioux Falls Food pantry/Food Service Center (now part of America’s Second Harvest), Sioux Empire Staters, Canton Tree Board, Canton Library Board, Forrest Hills Cemetery Association, The Canton Depot, J&CD Canton Community Foundation and Canton School Board. Also volunteered as Canton Lutheran Church Treasurer, Chair of the CLC Endowment Committee, the United Way, Ag Division of the Sioux Empire Fair, Junior Achievement, The Banquet and served on Gov. Rounds’ Meth Taskforce
Family information: Oldest of five children and son of Roz and Paul Hohman, married to Mona (career nurse) for 44 years, two children who live in District 16 and six grandchildren.

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

Government’s most important role in economic development is making sure we are open for business with low taxes and low regulations. We shouldn’t burden businesses who are adding to the economy, employing South Dakotans, and contributing to society with unnecessary red tape and Blue State tax policies. At the same time, we shouldn’t pick winners or losers, especially when landowners and citizens could be negatively impacted.

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

Ronald Reagan. He successfully battled communism (“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”) horrific inflation, and high income taxes.

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?

It was a start… but voters should be given the opportunity to voice their position. Last month I signed the petition to put the matter on the November ballot. I think South Dakota citizens and legislators can learn from those in favor and those against the Landowner Bill of Rights. Both sides will state the reasons for their positions and I think we can come up with a better solution.