On August 3rd, 2022 Sisters United attended a meet and greet for gubernatorial candidate, Jamie Smith. Jamie graciously agreed to sit down and answer a few questions about reproductive rights. Below is a transcript of our interview.
What is your opinion on the overturn of Roe vs. Wade.
“Super disappointing. Generations worked so hard to make sure that women had those rights and so to see it overturned like that was just super disappointing. It didn’t surprise me, especially with the leak and everything like that, but I was disappointed.”
What do you plan to do for reproductive rights when you’re elected?
“First of all, we have no compassion in the current law that has taken effect with the trigger law to not even allow rape and incest in the state of South Dakota. Immediately, we will make sure that we allow for that and fatal fetal anomalies and such. I’d like to go back to the current law that we had before this was turned over here in the state and we’ll work to make that happen.”
What do you plan to do to fight for equality in general, if elected?
“You know, I think we’ve come a long way but we have a long way to go and when it comes to rights for all people, women and any minority situation, we have to make sure that we’re continually cognizant of the barriers that have been put in place and how do we take those down, right. So one thing is equal pay for equal work, for example. I think it’s important to recognize that and I think it’s important to just make sure that we do everything we can for all people. That includes women, that includes children. That includes… Yeah, just everybody should be treated fair.”
What do you have to say to fellow young people like us?
“That we can do so much better. There’s been constant bills to try to get more people involved in civics. And they think that miraculously if we have a test with 10 questions or a new little curriculum that all of a sudden you’ll be interested in civics.
And I keep reminding my fellow legislators that the only way to make people want to be involved in civics is to model behavior that would make them want to join us. When you say, “why would I want to join them?” That’s awful, why would they want to do it, right? And sometimes people join because they get so fed up and that’s unfortunate.
I’d rather people join because they say, “I want to help make a difference too. That looks like something I’d like to do. I want to lead my legacy in that way.” I think we can do that by modeling leadership that is sensible. Leadership that is compassionate. Leadership that represents the values of South Dakota.”
How can Sisters United and other young people help you during your election?
“Well, there’s a lot of things you can do. Time, treasure and talent. Okay. The first thing that we have to do is register people to vote.
If people are 18 and older, they need to register to vote. I don’t care what party they line up with or align with or if they choose not to be in a party, but they have to get out and vote and exercise that right.
They may not think if they’re going to make a difference. One vote can make a difference. Okay.
They have to get out and vote. That’s a big, big, big one.
Voter registration drives, knocking on doors, volunteering. If you go to my website Smithforgov.org, there’s a spot you can say I’d like to volunteer at Smithforgov.org. When you go there, it won’t automatically say here’s a thing to do but then you’ll get on the database and be there when there are opportunities.
Right now we have folks that are out knocking on doors already. We have folks that are writing letters. We have folks that are… Depending on what your skill sets are. We’re going to need phone callers later on. When it comes to the poll date we’re going to need folks to help drive people that can’t get to the polls to the polls.
All of these things but I think getting people registered to vote and then spreading the word that there is a choice.
And there’s a legitimate choice for somebody that does care about them and that’s Jamie Smith.”