Christine Stephenson, is running for SD House of Representatives in District 32
What is your opinion on the overturn of Roe v. Wade?
I am extremely disappointed that Roe v. Wade was overturned, but I am also motivated. We need balance in our state legislature now more than ever. And I’m optimistic that we can use the overturning of Roe V. Wade to hold some Republicans accountable on their “pro-life” stance. Maybe they will now support early childhood education, expanded Medicaid, and other programs that make it easier to raise children in our state.
What will you do to ensure that all people maintain access to critical healthcare despite growing conservative attacks on birth control, abortion, and other services?
I will fervently oppose any efforts to prosecute women from crossing state lines to obtain a legal abortion, and efforts to ban Plan B. I’ll try my best to carve out more exceptions to our unreasonably strict trigger law. I will support the effort to get a constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights on the ballot, and I will make sure the legislature honors the outcome of that ballot initiative. My primary goal will be to make every child born in South Dakota a wanted child.
In 2006 and 2010 the people voted to keep access to abortion safe and legal for all who need it in South Dakota, yet the people in Pierre have continued to restrict access leading to a trigger law banning abortions after the reversal of Roe v. Wade. What is your plan to honor the voters and return access to safe and legal abortion to all that need them?
I will work with the people of SD to get an amendment on the ballot. If that amendment passes, I will hold the legislature accountable to honor the will of the people.
What do you plan to do to fight for equality for LGBTQ+, Women /Reproductive, Racial injustice, veterans, people with disabilities?
Sometimes it feels as though our current state leaders have a hierarchy of who is the most South Dakotan (a white family, farmers, hunters, ranchers is what pops into my mind). But we are all South Dakotans, and we all deserve to be heard. I will listen to all South Dakotans, and I will share their concerns and perspectives in the state house. I will advocate for those who are unable to advocate for themselves, or simply too busy to do so.
Two years ago, The people of South Dakota voted to legalize both medicinal and recreational marijuana. What will you do to honor the voters’ wishes to decriminalize marijuana?
Our legislature has a long history of thinking it knows better than the voters when it comes to initiated measures. I believe this is fundamentally wrong. It is the responsibility of our legislature to honor the will of voters and to implement the results with goodwill and integrity. Whether I agree with legalizing marijuana or not (I do), it will be my job as a legislature to implement the will of the people so that the marijuana industry in SD is safe, regulated, and beneficial to our state coiffers.
What do you think should happen to individuals who are currently incarcerated or on probation for marrijuana related offenses after it is legalized?
I will have to talk with those who know far more than I do about this situation before commenting on it. My knee-jerk reaction is that non-violent offenders should be released when marijuana is legalized, however, I recognize that I am not an expert on this issue. I would gather a variety of points of view before voting on something like this.
What will you do to stop the violence against Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls?
I will listen to indigenous people in SD and try to piece out the causes and the most appropriate response to MMIWG. This issue can no longer be ignored.
What will you do to combat the long history of racism, oppression and social injustice against the indigenous people of South Dakota?
I think that people of European descent in South Dakota have been blind to the historical trauma that the first nations of the great plains underwent during colonization. That doesn’t make us white folks bad, but it does mean that we have a lot of learning to do. For the last several years, I have been talking to my indigenous neighbors about their life experiences. I’ve also tried to educate myself (The books “Life’s Journey – Zuya” by Albert White Hat Senior and “The Inconvenient Indian,” by Thomas King, have been super enlightening, as has the podcast “Heart of All Oral History Project” by the students at Little Wound school.) We need to address the trauma head on, acknowledge the broken treaties, do whatever it takes to find conciliation, and celebrate the culture of the Oceti Sakowin.
What would your administration do to make sure young LGBTQ+ and BIPoC youth feel safe in South Dakota?
I would listen to them and bring their voice to the State House.
Currently, access to exploratory drilling has been granted to mining groups above Pactola Reservoir. What is your plan to protect our natural resources in South Dakota, such as fresh water, clean air, and the environment?
The state of SD has the option of requiring bonds when issuing state permits. The state also can set the permitting regulations for mining. So when legislators say their hands are tied by the mining act of 1872, they are not telling the full story. We should have state regulations that make mining a far more onerous and less profitable endeavor. I believe the water supply of Rapid City (in the Pactola Reservoir) and much of Southwestern SD (In the aquifers that supply the Cheyenne River near Edgemont) are far more valuable than gold and uranium.
What is your plan to prevent the future risks that are likely to happen?
I think the legislature should consider banning uranium mining and banning cyanide heap leach mining. This should be a bipartisan initiative of our legislators standing up for voters and against out-of-state and foreign mining companies.
Our generation has lost far too many of our peers tragically to drugs, suicide or violence. What is your plan to make young South Dakotans feel safe, or like we have a future without drugs, trauma and violence?
Invest in education, mental health and evidence-based addiction treatment centers.
How can the voices of our generation and the voices be heard in a state as red as South Dakota?
The best way to be heard in a democracy is to VOTE! There is a lot of money in politics, a lot of lobbyists who have the ear of legislators. But voters always have the final say.
How can the citizens of South Dakota help you to achieve these goals?
The people of South Dakota need to pay attention to state government. It takes time to educate ourselves on the issues, contact legislators, show up at hearings, write letters to the editor, etc. But it is our responsibility and privilege to do these things! I always feel the most patriotic when I am contacting an elected official or publicly voicing a dissenting opinion, and especially when voting. We are so lucky to live in a country in which we can do these things, and we should never take it for granted.