Meet the Candidate: Gerald Cournoyer

State's only Democratic primary includes Cournoyer and incumbent Red Dawn Foster

Gerald Cournoyer is one of two candidates running in the Democratic primary for District 27. Its the only Democratic primary for the Legislature in 2024.

The district picks up east of Box Elder, and includes landmarks such as Badlands National Park and the Pine Ridge reservation. Other communities in the district include Martin and New Underwood.

The Dakota Scout sent a series of questions to all legislative candidates running in contested races for the state House and Senate in the June 4 primary election. Candidates were asked to limit their responses to each question to 150 words or less.

Age: 33
City of residence: Kyle
Profession: Economic and Business Development Coordinator
Public service/community service experience: Oglala Sioux Tribal Council Representative, term 2020-2022
Family information: Gerald Cournoyer Jr (Oglala Sioux Tribe), parents are mother Lynette Iron Crow (Oglala Sioux Tribe) of Kyle SD, father Gerald Cournoyer Sr (Oglala Sioux Tribe) of Marty SD. Maternal grandparents are Arlene Iron Crow (Oglala Sioux Tribe) of Kyle SD, Peter Bull Bear (Oglala Sioux Tribe) of Kyle SD, and paternal grandparents are Pearl LaDeaux (Oglala Sioux Tribe) of Manderson SD, and Stephen Cournoyer Sr (Yankton Sioux Tribe) of Marty SD.

1) What's the government's role in facilitating economic development in South Dakota?

The state government utilizes several outlets to create a business environment that is friendly to entrepreneurs. Simplifying regulations, and providing tax incentives as well as infrastructure investments like roads and utilities that can ensure the operation of businesses. To ensure a skilled workforce the state supports education and workforce development as a priority. South Dakota promotes economic diversification to reduce reliance on specific industries and utilizes partnerships to fund projects that all push an economic boom.

2) If you could have dinner with any person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

I would choose to have dinner with King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem. King Baldwin was also known as “The Leper King.” King Baldwin’s reign was host to interactions between different cultures which, effectively would offer some insight between Native American conflicts in South Dakota and the complicated system of the Crusaders. Baldwin’s leadership despite having leprosy allows for anyone to look at the definition of personal adversity and characterize it as steady or unwavering. His strategies both on and off the battlefield led to diplomatic solutions during a volatile period of time between the cultures of the middle east and Europe. During times of strife within the state, having the grace and resilience of the leper king to trudge forward would benefit diplomacy on all levels.

3) Does the "Landowner Bill of Rights" -- adopted by the Legislature amid opposition to carbon pipeline companies using eminent domain -- strike the right balance between the interests of property owners, counties and the ag industry - and should voters get a say when they head to the polls in November?

The “Landowner Bill of Rights” may have the intentions to provide transparency however, water rights and environmental concerns are not addressed as equitably as the rights of the property owners. The primary focus is to give property owners a fair assessment when their property is acquired through the eminent domain process. Water and mineral rights are cohesive and deserve to be in the same legal language when property is acquired so the environment is not tarnished and devastating effects do not last from generation to generation. Water has a great impact of the Agriculture Industry as a whole with nutrition to plants and plays just as big a role as land does. Voters should get a say because in all matters of land acquisition, there are many things to consider that may not suitably fit all voters.