Meet the Candidate: Wendi Hogan

Hogan one of three candidates running in District 6 race

Wendi Hogan is seeking election to one of two seats in South Dakota’s House District 6. Also running is Rep. Aaron Aylward and Sen. Ernie Otten, who is looking to switch chambers.

The district is south of Sioux Falls and solely in Lincoln County. The community of Tea is within its boundaries.

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: Harrisburg
Profession: 
Public service/community service experience: Was a member of the City of Harrisburg Planning & Zoning and Parks & Recreation Board and Member and previous Chair of Lincoln County Planning Commission
Family information: Married with 5 children and 8 grandchildren.  My husband is a Lincoln County Deputy and was a SD State Trooper for 13 years. I have 2 sons that graduated from SD Universities and one son who just graduated from Harrisburg High School and will be leaving for basic training on May 29^th with the SD National Guard.

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

Government’s role in economic development should be limited to providing goods and services, correcting market failures, reduce inequalities in income and opportunities, and stabilize economic fluctuations. Local economic development decisions should be made by local authorities. We need to be able to protect property rights, enforce private contracts and allow individuals to freely take advantage of market opportunities. It is also important that local authorities make the decisions in local planning and zoning as they are the ones who know what the local economy and growth is like.

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

Eleanor Roosevelt. She worked her way through so many adversities which made her stronger to which encouraged her to make such an amazing difference in the world. She was outspoken, controversial, and a proven and dedicated leader whom I and so many other women should and do look up to.

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?

Absolutely not, this bill should have been labeled the Co2 pipeline dream bill. SB 201 as it is written, takes away all local authorities’ rights to zoning. Co2 is not a commodity and therefore these companies should never be able to take land through eminent domain to begin with, let alone take it for their own profit.  This goes against the SD Constitution and the Constitution of the United States. The citizens of the state absolutely have the right to vote on this matter and should exercise their right to do so.