SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(HubCityRadio)- On Tuesday the first of three scheduled debate for the Republican nomination for Governor in South Dakota was held in Sioux Falls at the KELOLAND studios.  The four candidates are Incumbent Governor Larry Rhoden, Congressman Dusty Johnson, Speaker of the South Dakota House Jon Hansen, and Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden.

Opening Statements:

Each candidate offered their vision if elected Governor.

Governor Larry Rhoden:

Congressman Dusty Johnson:

Speaker Jon Hansen:

Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden:

Affordability:

Congressman Johnson talks about ways to kickstart the economy through lower taxes and better paying jobs.

Governor Rhoden talks about how the state has a balance budget each year even as the state has among the lowest tax rate in the nation.

Speaker Hansen talks about the issue of affordability and discuss the Data Center Bill of Rights passed this year by the legislature.

Doeden discuss the need to better control the spending in the state which will lead to more affordable prices at the store.

Education:

Hansen discuss if elected how he open up funding for education all types of schooling.

Doeden talks about how much funding went to education this year.  He believes more money should be going to schools and not to administrators.

Johnson talks about his plan to follow what other states have done and how he will apply those to South Dakota schools.

Rhoden talks about how the Noem/Rhoden administration have raised funding each year in education ahead of what was needed.

South Dakota Economy/Taxes:

Doeden goes over his economic plan if elected.

Johnson challenged both Governor Rhoden & Speaker Hansen on the property tax relief passed this year.

Both candidates responded.  Hansen discuss his push to keep the state sales tax at 4.2% bu points out that with the sales tax at 4.5% starting next year, that money is going directly toward owner occupied property tax relief.

Governor Rhoden discuss the hypocrisy of the Congressman’s statements.

The second Gubernatorial debate is scheduled for Monday, April 13th in Sioux Falls.  This one moderated by SDPB and South Dakota News Watch.