Where do Sioux Falls candidates stand on taxes and spending?

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U.S. Senate. Mike Rounds (Republican, incumbent): No public statement found in our sources. Brian L Bengs (Independent): Bengs supports higher taxes on the ultrawealthy and lower tax burdens on workers and small businesses, and says the federal budget should be balanced. State Treasurer. Melissa Hull (Republican): She described protecting taxpayer money as the treasurer’s central responsibility, including carrying out state banking transactions and handling unclaimed property. Margaret Kuipers (Democratic): No public statement found in our sources. State Senate, District 10. Michael Dupic (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Liz Larson (Democratic, incumbent): She said property taxes are a legitimate problem, particularly for some people on fixed incomes, but opposed a solution that simply shifts the tax burden to someone else. State Senate, District 11. Chris Karr (Republican, incumbent): No public statement found in our sources. Aaron Matson (Democratic): He said the state budget should reflect citizens’ priorities, including schools, state employees, and health providers. State Senate, District 12. Kari Shanard-Koenders (Republican, incumbent): She said property taxes are a problem based on residents’ concerns and her own experience, and that residents may need relief, but not at the expense of renters and people already struggling with costs. Joe Zweifel (Democratic): No public statement found in our sources. Governor of South Dakota. Larry Rhoden (Republican, incumbent): Rhoden proposed a county-option half-cent sales tax, with the revenue used to reduce owner-occupied property taxes. He described it as a local choice for county leaders or voters. Rhoden said the 2026 tax package combines statewide property-tax relief with an optional county sales tax dedicated to additional reductions for owner-occupied homes. Dan Ahlers (Democratic): No public statement found in our sources. Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota. Tony Venhuizen (Republican, incumbent): Venhuizen’s ticket supports property-tax relief through statewide homeowner relief and a county option to adopt a half-cent sales tax dedicated to further property-tax reductions. Steven McCleerey (Democratic): No public statement found in our sources. House of Representatives, District 9 (two seats). Tesa Schwans (Republican, incumbent): No public statement found in our sources. Megan Tschetter (Republican): She supports lowering property taxes, reducing government spending, and returning savings to residents rather than shifting the burden to other taxes. Amanda Potter (Democratic): No public statement found in our sources. House of Representatives, District 12 (two seats). Amber Arlint (Republican, incumbent): No public statement found in our sources. Kerry Loudenslager (Republican): He supports reducing waste, fraud and abuse in the state budget and redirecting funds toward areas including education, teacher and law-enforcement compensation, tax relief and mental-health programs. He also identifies property-tax relief as a priority. Stephanie Arne (Democratic): No public statement found in our sources. House of Representatives, District 15 (two seats). Kadyn Wittman (Democratic, incumbent): No public statement found in our sources. Joni Tschetter (Republican): Her campaign says she will seek property-tax relief and accountability. Andre Zachariahs (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. June CopperStad (Democratic): No public statement found in our sources. House of Representatives, District 18 (two seats). Mike Stevens (Republican, incumbent): No public statement found in our sources. John Marquardt (Republican): He says he would seek fiscal-impact statements showing county costs before state mandates are enacted and increased state participation in existing or newly assigned county responsibilities. Jarod Holcomb (Democratic): He opposes the state’s sales-tax-funded property-tax relief approach, arguing it shifts costs to renters and working families, and says he would work to end the grocery tax. Karen Springer (Democratic): No public statement found in our sources. Minnehaha County Commissioner, At Large (three seats). Jen Bleyenberg (Republican): No public statement found in our sources. Rick Bonander (Republican): Identifies the county budget and elected commissioners’ fiscal responsibility as a top concern. Supports the half-cent sales-tax increase as a way to reduce property taxes, while acknowledging that it shifts the tax burden rather than eliminating it. Brent R. Hoffman (Republican): He said he wants residents involved in county budgeting before the final vote, more shared services, and an end to opt-out tax increases for operating expenses. He also said public safety should remain funded as the county grows. His campaign says he supports restraining county spending, state-level tax reforms, and term limits for county commissioners. Kenny Anderson Jr. (Democratic): He said he does not favor the proposed half-cent sales-tax option, arguing that it would add a tax burden for non-owner-occupied housing and senior citizens. Curt Soehl (Independent): He said that he is unsure whether shifting taxes from one pocket to another amounts to real tax reform.