Meet the Candidate: Tony Venhuizen

Venhuizen seeking return to Pierre in 2025

Rep. Tony Venhuizen is seeking re-election to the South Dakota House in District 13. He is running in a four-way primary against John Hughes, Brad Jankord, and Penny BayBridge.

The district includes a portion of southeastern Sioux Falls.

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: 41
City of residence: Sioux Falls
Profession: Attorney and author
Public service/community service experience: State House of Representatives, 2023-present. Vice chair, House Appropriations Committee, 2023-present.
Chief of Staff to Gov. Dennis Daugaard, 2014-19 and Gov. Kristi Noem, 2020-21.
Member, South Dakota Board of Regents, 2003-08 and 2021-23.
South Dakota State Historical Society Foundation, board member 2022-present, board president 2024-present.
Trail of Governors Foundation, board member 2016-present.
SDSU Research Park, board member 2021- present.
Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, board member, 2019-22.
Family information: Wife, Sara, is an electrical engineer. Three children: Henry (6th grade), Elizabeth (4th ) and Madeleine (2nd ).

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

The most important role is to maintain a business-friendly climate. South Dakota does this by keeping taxes low, maintaining reasonable levels of regulation, and budgeting responsibly. Our state balances our budget, controls spending, and maintains a AAA bond rating, all of which means that businesses need not fear unpredictable, sudden changes in taxes or regulation.

It is also important to build and maintain good infrastructure, such as highways, rail, utilities, and telecommunications. South Dakota has improved in each of these areas over the past decade.

Public education is another important element, as economic development requires an educated, qualified workforce. This includes strong K-12 schools as well as the state universities and tech colleges.

Finally, the state operates a few small economic development incentive programs, such as a revolving loan fund and a grant fund. These programs are necessary in some cases to compete with states that have much larger incentive programs.

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

I would have to choose between Churchill and Lincoln. They are towering historical figures who lead their nations through existential crises with courage, foresight, and conviction. In addition, both were very well-read and were talented storytellers, and would be excellent dinner companions. 

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 have no problem with the voters weighing in if the petition drive succeeds. 

This debate, unfortunately, is less about the bill that passed, and more about oversimplified labels.

In my opinion, the carbon pipeline adds no actual value and only exists because of federal mandates, and it should not have eminent domain authority because it is shipping a waste product, not a commodity in the stream of commerce. That is why in 2023 I voted for HB1133, which would have clarified that.

However, the Senate killed HB1133 and that wasn’t going to change. The Governor, House, and Senate did agree, though, to SB201, the Landowner Bill of Rights, which expands landowner rights, payments, and protections in several important ways. It didn’t take away eminent domain authority, but it also didn’t expand that authority. When it comes to legislation, we can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.