South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in South Dakota, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 (2 seats)

Brian Mulder and incumbent Chris Karr defeated Margaret Kuipers and Kimberly Parke in the general election for South Dakota House of Representatives District 11 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brian Mulder (R)	29.0	4,988
✔		Chris Karr (R)	28.4	4,879
		Margaret Kuipers (D)	22.0	3,775
		Kimberly Parke (D)	20.7	3,553

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 17,195
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Margaret Kuipers (D)

Women's Reproductive Rights

Affordable Healthcare

Equal Rights for ALL

Brian Mulder (R)

I am all for smaller Government, taxes and efficiencies that save the tax payer.

In my current role I understand the needs of our community and state, and can offer reasonable solutions through public/ private partnerships.

As a conservative, I am pro-life, and pro-second amendment.

Kimberly Parke (D)

Meaningful and Relevant Legislation: Legislation must create logical solutions with real impact on the problems facing our state.

Transparency and Truth: Our laws should be based on reliable, fact based evidence. The legislation’s reason and solution should be clear and concise without hidden political agendas.

Teamwork: Legislators must build trusting bipartisan relationships through communication and compromise to create the best policies for our state.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Margaret Kuipers (D)

Women's Rights, Equality, Affordable Healthcare, Public Education, Criminal Justice Reform, Safety and Transparency.

Brian Mulder (R)

My biggest passion would lie in the idea that government is not the answer to all our problems. Although we live in the nation's best state, I believe we can improve by creating better solutions and efficiencies for our citizens who need help with mental health, homelessness, childcare, veterans, and disabilities.

Kimberly Parke (D)

- fair and equitable taxation

- Adequate funding for necessary programs while maintaining fiscal responsibility - affordable housing, daycare and health care - strengthening and improving our public schools - equal rights and opportunities for all people accepting, supporting and valuing our diverse communities including

  tribal nations, LGBTQ+ and ethnic backgrounds.

- the right to contraceptive health care including abortion especially for situations involving rape or incest. - common sense gun control

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Margaret Kuipers (D)

Being honest, fair and open minded to make the best decisions for the people they represent.

Brian Mulder (R)

Modeling service over self, listening, and leadership.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Margaret Kuipers (D)

I am smart, dependable, hardworking and honest.

Brian Mulder (R)

I believe I am a proven leader who has a history of leading organizational change. This is done by building relationships, listening, casting vision, and empowering others.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Margaret Kuipers (D)

Representing the needs of the people of their district and the state of SD. Not waste time trying to legislate non-issues regarding our state.

Brian Mulder (R)

To carry out the will of the people. In South Dakota, the state motto is "Under God the People Rule" But also to provide real and practical solutions to problems.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Margaret Kuipers (D)

That I did my best to help make South Dakota a stronger and better place to live, work and raise a family.

Brian Mulder (R)

That I made a difference through service.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Brian Mulder (R)

I would say my very first job was growing up on the farm. We raised cattle, hogs, corn, and soybeans. I developed my work ethic and problem-solving skills on the farm. In some ways, I still have the job, as now my sister and brother-in-law operate the family farm, and I go back to help from time to time.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Brian Mulder (R)

I could give the Cliche answer and say the Bible, which is very important to me. But to answer the question for this survey I would say "Messy Spirituality" by Mike Yaconelli. I just have always related to it.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Brian Mulder (R)

AA by Walker Hayes

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Brian Mulder (R)

Saying no.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Brian Mulder (R)

One that fosters open and honest communication, understanding that we are all working for what we believe is the outcome for the citizens of South Dakota.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Brian Mulder (R)

We need to develop more workforce and workforce housing to meet the need that continues to grow here in South Dakota

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Margaret Kuipers (D)

The drawback is not having representation of all of the citizens of South Dakota.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Brian Mulder (R)

I believe leadership experience matters.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Margaret Kuipers (D)

Yes, in order to get things done for all of the citizens of SD, we need to be able to work together.

Brian Mulder (R)

Absolutely yes. Any good leader will tell you relationships matter.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Brian Mulder (R)

yes.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Brian Mulder (R)

not at this time

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Brian Mulder (R)

yes,

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Margaret Kuipers (D)

Yes, compromise is the only way we can get anything accomplished.

Brian Mulder (R)

Sometimes yes.

See also

More about these elections:

• South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2022

Select a district below to read responses from candidates in those races:

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