Meet the Candidate: Tesa Schwans

Schwans one of four candidates running in District 9 House race

Tesa Schwans is one of four candidates running for two seats in the District 9 House race, along with Rep. Bethany Soye, Daryl Christensen, and Kristi Golden.

The district is just west of Sioux Falls and includes within its boundaries Hartford and Wall Lake.

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: 53
City of residence: Hartford
Profession: Hairstylist
Public service/community service experience:
Helped organized an event held by local hairdressers to create breast cancer awareness that raised around 20,000. We donated it to both Sanford and Avera breast cancer institutes. 
Clean up of community ditches around Wall Lake in the dump areas. 
Helped organize and create awareness at wall lake beach to wear life jackets n save lives through the Friends of Wall Lake non profit that was started along with local support and donations. 
I was a Boy Scout mom/leader for my son , in his younger years. 
Coached YMCA basketball for my son’s teams for six years.
Taught religious education at St Katherine Drexel for 8 years 
Sang at Christmas at the Cathedral for 2 years. 
Spent time at the St Francis house through St. Katherine.
Served at the banquet for many Christmas seasons through our salons. 
Family information: 9th child to a farmer and rancher. My husband (Jay) and I have been together for 23 years. We have three children with spouses and eight grandchildren.

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

Though I feel there is a need for some facilitation in normal economic growth, from government I do not think it should be at a cost to hurting the small businesses or giving all the breaks to big companies. SD already has incentives in place to entice growth. Especially with our hard work ethics. We do not need to give them bigger tax breaks to get them here. 

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

First I’d love to go back in time and have dinner with my mother, who passed at a young age and let her know how her beautiful but tough lessons she taught, still go on today, Through all 9 of us kids, and our families. 

She was a balance of strong and fiercely independant,yet kind and compassionate. She instilled a sense of moral fortitude, that went beyond my years of understanding, at the time. But to have a conversation with her to discuss Her family  lineage of brave and courageous leaders, who stood up against the odds. Would be something… 

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 absolutely believe owners of the properties should have the right to stand up for their lands and that eminent domain should never be for personal gain. 

All voters should seek information and know that their votes will make a difference in how we proceed from now on in land and property rights and other very important issues.