Meet the Candidate: Tamara St. John

Longtime lawmaker seeking return in South Dakota's first House district

Rep. Tamara St. John is running for re-election in South Dakota House District 1. She faces Logan Manhart and Christopher Reder.

In the northeast corner of the state, the district wraps around Aberdeen and includes all or some portions of Brown, Day, Marshall, and Roberts counties.

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: 57
City of residence: Sisseton
Profession: Historian and Archivist 
Public service/community service experience:  I’ve served three terms as a legislator in the House of Representatives for District 1. I’ve served on the South Dakota Humanities Council and continue to work with Tourism and South Dakota Museums. I also serve on the Board of Directors for Arts South Dakota.  
Family information: I am the mother of four adult children that reside in South Dakota and I have a daughter in law who has blessed me with two grandsons and a granddaughter coming in October.  

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

Government has a limited role to play in economic development, but can also make or break the business and regulatory environment that makes us business friendly to small business owners and/or new industry. In order for us to still take care of our counties, schools, and people who can’t take care of themselves, yet keeping our state free from income taxes or tax increases, it requires us being business friendly and growing our tax base.

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

My late father-in-law John Tordsen because he strengthened my views in politics by making me look beyond the surface of the world around me. He showed me the importance of faith and the value of family in everyday life. He taught me that people from different walks of life can meet on common ground with mutual respect despite differences. I promised him I would never forget to share his beliefs in raising my children as a young mother and his words never failed me. In fact, they still guide me today in the work we get to do at the Capitol in the community he loved - Pierre, SD.  

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?

 I believe issues that surround this legislation are extremely important and it’s likely impossible to find a perfect balance for all. However, I believe this bill contains important protections that will serve landowners should any such project move forward. I also believe we still have work to do on the issues related to eminent domain and for the further protection of property rights. If the referendum process is responsibly followed and there is support for it to be put on the ballot in the fall, then I have no problem with people having the opportunity to vote and voice their opinion. In South Dakota, “Under God the People Rule.”