Meet the Candidate: Julie Frye-Mueller

Frye-Mueller seeks re-election to the Senate in three-way primary

(Johnny Sundby)

Julie Frye-Mueller is seeking re-election to the South Dakota state Senate in District 30. She’ll face two challengers to retain her seat; Amber Hulse and Forrest Foster.

District 30 includes southwest South Dakota, touching the borders of Wyoming and Nebraska. Cities included in the district include Custer, Hot Springs, and Hermosa.

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: 
City of residence: Rapid City
Profession: Family small business owner
Public service/community service experience: I have served in the legislature four years in the House and four years in the Senate. I attend County, City, and School board meetings as often as I can. I have volunteered in the community in many different areas throughout the years: Elks Lodge, churches, School of Mines and our children’s schools just to name a few. I also participate in organizations that help bring awareness to political issues that are important for the citizens to know about. I have a servant’s heart and the desire to help others. 
Family information: My husband and I will be married 41 years this coming November. We have two married daughters and five wonderful grandchildren. We have a family business in Rapid City and will also have been open 41 years this October.  

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

I believe that best way is to cut the unnecessary “red tape” and that would make it more appealing for business owners to come to South Dakota.  I believe if you have a great idea then you find investors to assist you.  I don’t want taxpayers funding other people’s projects as too much of that is going on already here in our state.

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

Francis Scott Key, who wrote the “Star-Spangled Banner” which officially became our National Anthem in 1931.  On September 13-14, 1814 he witnessed the British attack on Fort McHenry and saw the American flag still standing.  He made notes to write a poem about what he witnessed that was later put to music. It was the bodies of the patriots that were holding our American flag up.  This man witnessed true freedom fighters who defended our Republic.

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?

This is NOT a “Landowner Bill of Rights” this is a REMOVAL of landowner rights and local control. There is NO “right balance” and it is disgusting that enough legislators voted to remove these landowners property rights which are enshrined in our Constitution. Everyone who voted for this should be voted out of office in my opinion. We take an oath to uphold the constitution and instead many violated citizens’ rights. I support this going to the people to get this stopped. However, I have serious concerns that the private companies that are pushing this will have a lot of money to put out a false narrative in commercials. Citizens could vote against the property owners’ rights and not even understand the consequences. Another negative on this I believe is a “food security” issue as well.