Meet the Candidate: John Carley

Carley running for second time in two years District 29

John Carley is running for the South Dakota state Senate in District 29. He faces Kirk Chaffee, who is looking to make the jump from the opposite chamber.

The district includes Sturgis, and stretches as far to the northeast to include Faith.

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: 48
City of residence: Piedmont
Profession: Businessman
Public service/community service experience: GOP Precinct Committeeman, Sons of American Legion
Family information: Wife of 25 years, five kids serving in community

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

Limited. There are two schools of thought, one is to pick winners and losers, pass bills that benefit certain companies. The other school of thought is to have government step out of the way, less regulation, less taxes to let businesses thrive on their own and succeed on merit and hard work. I believe in the limited version, and am even part of running several successful businesses West River. Our people in our state will thrive with innovation if they are given freedom, and the economy will continue to thrive.

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

Jesus Christ. Because He created life, is the sustainer of life, can share ultimate truth and wisdom, and is full of love for people.

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?

I would recommend people read SB 201's supposed "bill of rights.” It's on the first page and is certainly not a bill of rights. It's an easy read and you'll quickly find it's a fairly meaningless list of standard and basic regulations for any pipelines. There's no benefit to the "landowner". This was put in as an attempt to put lipstick on a pig and make it sound good. Most of the local citizens have figured this out, and why they are currently in process of signing an initiated measure to repeal 201 that actually REMOVES local control. My opponent voted against protecting property rights on 3 of the 4 eminent domain bills. I would be fully for property rights.