Meet the Candidate: John Hughes

Hughes seeking election in Sioux Falls House district

John Hughes is running for election in the South Dakota House’s District 13. He is seeking to replace Sue Peterson, who is running for the Senate. Also running is Rep. Tony Venhuizen, Brad Jankord, and Penny BayBridge.

District 13 is made up of a portion of southeastern Sioux Falls.

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: 67
City of residence: Sioux Falls
Profession: Attorney and small business owner
Public service/community service experience: Angel in Adoption Award from the Congressional  Coalition on Adoption Institute (2022); Mary Chilton DAR Foundation Board of Directors (2015- 22); South Dakota State Bar Civil Pattern Jury Instructions Committee (2015-Present),  Subcommittee Chair (2019-Present); South Dakota State Bar Access to Justice (A2J) Legal  Superhero; Multiple church and non-profit boards and officer positions, and multiple non profit, pro bono legal counsel positions.
Family information: Married to Beth since 1978. Three grown sons, two daughters-in-law, three grandsons and a granddaughter on the way. 

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

South Dakota must do more by investing in growing local businesses and bringing jobs with high  wages and good benefits to our citizens. A government that consistently promotes healthy small  businesses is the most effective way to ensure that everyone shares in the financial success of  our economic development efforts. 

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

Jesus, the ultimate role model for all 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 oppose SB 201, and I support placing it on the November ballot to let the voters decide whether this legislation becomes law. South Dakota voters are not fooled by a clever name for  a bill that does the opposite of what it claims to protect.