Meet the Candidate: Sam Marty

Marty looking to make return to the Legislature

Sam Marty is seeking a return to the South Dakota state Legislature in the District 28 Senate seat. He previously served in the House, but did not run in 2022. He faces Susan Peterson in the primary.

The district is one of the larger ones in the state, it includes the communities of Belle Fourche, and stretches east to include the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe reservation.

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: 76
City of residence: South of Prairie City
Profession: Rancher
Public service/community service experience: Served as a state Representative from 2015-2022
Family information: I have three daughters and two stepdaughters. I lost my first wife from cancer and later on married Leah Gunther.

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

Providing guidance if needed and sending our tax money back to such developments.

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

Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. What an amazing experience that would be.

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?

SB 201 is a terrible bill! There is no balance at all in this bill. It’s all very favorable to Summit and also the state of South Dakota. Just follow the money. Absolutely the voters should get to vote on this bill. Sometimes the Legislature in Pierre needs to be spanked.