Governor

Said in a 2022 candidate survey that the state's abortion ban should include exceptions for rape, incest and the health of the mother.

Asked lawmakers in his 2026 State of the State address to pass legislation to stop abortion pills from coming into South Dakota; his campaign lists stopping abortion pills from entering the state among his accomplishments.

Says the state should be a stronger advocate for farmers and ranchers on foreign beef imports, and opposes private companies having eminent domain power.

Opposes the president's plan to increase foreign beef imports, saying it is not the way to lower grocery prices.

Says local governments should have more authority over where data centers are built and how they use local resources; supports economic development aimed at South Dakota-owned small businesses.

Signed a 2026 law requiring large data centers to cover the cost of their power demands and show local water providers their water needs, and barring the state from preempting local data center rules.

Calls the proposed constitutional amendment conditioning Medicaid expansion on the 90% federal share a "cop out" by the Legislature; says he would work to keep rural hospitals and long-term care facilities open and expand mental health services.

Defends the Legislature's decision to put on the ballot a constitutional amendment conditioning Medicaid expansion on the federal government keeping its 90% share of the cost, questioning how long that share would last; says he voted against expansion as a legislator over the same concern.

Says there is room for state cooperation with ICE but opposes officers wearing masks and what he calls heavy-handed enforcement.

Lists banning sanctuary cities and signing agreements for the Highway Patrol and Department of Corrections to cooperate with ICE among his accomplishments.

Calls the 2026 property tax laws a shift from property taxes to sales taxes that leaves renters without relief; supports changing how homes are assessed and expanding relief programs for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. Says the state does not need an income tax.

Signed 2026 laws dedicating more state sales tax revenue to property tax reduction and letting counties add a 0.5% sales tax for homeowner property tax relief; says homeowners' property taxes fall about 34–36% on average.

Supports more state funding for schools to reduce local property taxes, state-paid school lunches, higher teacher pay and a child care tax credit or rebate for families.

His campaign says he made South Dakota the first state to eliminate suppressor regulations.

Supports local solutions and fewer barriers to increase housing availability for working families, seniors and young people.

Points to a new prison construction plan, a women's correctional facility in Pierre and "Operation: Prairie Thunder," a crime and drug enforcement effort.