Mike Huber is running in District 14 for South Dakota House Representatives.
Why are you running for office?
I want to bring full time responsive and transparent voice to the people of District 14.
Women’s Reproductive Health
What is your opinion on the overturn of Roe v. Wade?
Very disappointed we have overturned what was “precedent” as Justice Samuel Alito stated at his confirmation hearing. Women’s rights to medical care should not be restricted because of where one lives.
What will you do to ensure access to critical healthcare to save the lives of
women, despite recent restrictions on reproductive services?
I will vote against any restrictive legislation and continue to work towards overturning the trigger law and other restrictions on a woman’s right to healthcare. I am a supporter of the constitutional amendment to codify Roe v Wade in South Dakota Constitution in 2024. I also am a supporter of expanding Medicaid, which is on the 2022 ballot.
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 elected officials in Pierre have allowed a
trigger law banning abortions. What is your plan to honor the voters?
Continue to vote against further restrictions, support legislation for women’s choice, and supporter of constitutional amendment on 2024 ballot.
Social Justice
What will you do to combat the violence against Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls?
This is an issue we need our state to focus on. I would like to work with the legislators and leaders in that area to bring more attention and resources to the area to prevent this crisis.
What will you do to combat the history of racism and oppression against the Indigenous people of South Dakota?
Continuing with programs like the one Gene Thin Elk was in charge of at the University of South Dakota. Bringing indigenous individuals in and helping to establish community to improve the success of all. I would like to work with representatives from all tribes and the nine reservations in South Dakota.
What would you do to make sure LGBTQ+ and BIPoC feel safe in South Dakota?
First, we do not need laws restricting school activities of Transgender individuals. The purpose of government is to create more opportunity for all not to restrict. I would work with all groups to formulate legislation creating more opportunity. We also need to get more LGBTQ+ and BIPoC in positions of leadership in state government.
Environment and Climate Change
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?
We have a big problem with polluting into our rivers and streams. We cannot allow polluting of Pactola and the rivers and streams. We have programs to provide for buffer strips along rivers that can be incentivized more so that we don’t have the E.coli levels currently reported by Friends of the Big Sioux River.
Some South Dakota’s top industries are agriculture, forestry, mining and power, manufacturing and transportation. What steps will you take to ensure these
industries operate responsibly when it comes to environmental protections and preserving South Dakota’s pristine beauty and its natural resources?
First is to start incentivizing buffer strips along rivers, streams and lakes to reduce E.coli levels. Secondly, we are seeing demolition of shelter belts at enormous levels as corporate farming expands. We should put fines on this immediately. We can also incentivize and educate on no till farming and small organic farming.
Where will protecting the environment and addressing climate change fall on your list of priorities once you take office?
This is my top priority. If we do not stop the contamination of water, the demolition of shelter belts, and the disruptive farming methods, we will be repeating the dust bowl errors of 100 years ago. Finally, having the Department of Agriculture and Environment together is a step backwards.
Mental Health
Our generation has lost far too many of our peers tragically to drugs, suicide or violence. How can we make young South Dakotans feel safe and like they have a future in our state?
Expanding counseling services in our schools is extremely necessary.
How can we break the cycle of incarceration and poverty for those exposed to violence, drug/alcohol abuse, trauma at a young age?
Treatment programs rather than incarceration is shown to be a much better alternative in other countries, such as Portugal, which I visited this year. As the founder of a physical fitness program at the SD State Prison, I also believe strongly in having programs in our facilities to transform people.
In 2020 suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in SD among ages 10 to 19. In 2019 South Dakota had the 8th highest suicide rate in the nation and our indigenous population is committing suicide at a rate that is 2.5 times higher than Caucasians. Simply put, many of our generation and specifically your indigenous neighbors are finding end-of-life more desirable than living. What can be done to combat these statistics?
Being in direct contact with the representatives from all tribes and the 9 reservations in South Dakota to learn what assistance we can provide. As a volunteer in the State Prison, I worked along side incarcerated indigenous men in conducting spiritual conferences and wacipi’s pow wows. Again, we need more indigenous individuals in leadership positions in state government.
Marijuana Legalization
Do you think that marijuana should be decriminalized?
Yes. We need to control this drug and not allow a criminal enterprise to control and profit from it.
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?
I support Amendment 27 and will not vote to restrict it once passed.
What should happen to individuals who are currently incarcerated or on probation for marijuana related offenses if/when marijuana is decriminalized?
They should be released.
Gun Control
Do you support gun control legislation?
Yes, I support common sense legislation to stop selling guns to; known criminals, individuals with mental health issues. I hunted when I was younger, and never found the need for an assault weapon like I was trained to use in the military. We need to stop sending children to schools with fear of a shooting.
What can be done to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous and mentally unstable people while protecting the rights of responsible, law-abiding citizens?
Having a central database and flagging individuals, then a waiting period.
Healthcare
Currently our state has many residents who lack access to necessary healthcare services either because they cannot afford insurance, are underinsured or face social or cultural barriers. What steps can be made to correct this imbalance?
Expansion of Medicaid – please vote to expand on 2022 ballot. – Vote yes on Amendment D.
Many South Dakotans are one health emergency away from financial ruin. What can be done to prevent citizens from severe poverty simply for seeking necessary healthcare?
Expansion of Medicaid is one solution. Also, we need to move to Medicare for all and not have companies in control of our health care. As the Controller for a large company, I saw healthcare premiums rising by 3-5% every year while we reduced coverage. We cannot continue on the spiraling down of coverage.
To Conclude
How can the voices of our generation be heard and honored in South Dakota?
My commitment is to work all 24 months of my term and speak with a minimum of 10 individuals every week I am in office while not in session. We need to have representatives who continually talk to All of their constituents.
How can we (the young people in South Dakota) help you to achieve these goals?
Volunteer, get involved, and run for office!
Is there anything else you would like us to know about you as a candidate that we neglected to ask? What do you want to make sure our generation knows about you before they cast their vote?
We need to move to Democracy 2.0. This means having all public servants take responsibility for all levels of government. If city government is not addressing your needs, contact your City Councilor, then Mayor, then County Commissioner, then State Representative or Senator. We need Public Servants to serve the public!