Candidate Questionnaire: Fred Deutsch, Republican Candidate for State Senate, District 4
Candidate Questionnaire: Fred Deutsch, Republican Candidate for State Senate, District 4
In what community do you live and what is your career?
I live in rural Codington County. I am a retired chiropractor.
Briefly describe your prior experience in the state legislature. What have you learned during that time that will make you the better candidate to represent the Republican ideals going into the general election in November?
I have served eight years in the legislature. I have served on four committees that represent my background or passion: education (former school board member), healthcare (retired healthcare provider), commerce and energy (small business person), and veterans and military affairs (son of a Holocaust survivor who was liberated by US forces). I have also served on summer study committees including workforce housing, medical marijuana oversight and juvenile justice.
Regarding what makes me the better candidate, first, I am experienced. I’ve been blessed to serve for eight years. Like serving on any board, committee, or organization, you don’t learn how to be effective in the legislature after just a single term. And like the Jacks winning a national championship, to win in the legislature takes time to learn the ropes and develop relationships, teamwork and trust. Experience matters.
Second, I care. When the Milbank school superintendent, state’s attorney, law enforcement and community leaders called a meeting to seek solutions to a Milbank youth problem, only one legislator showed up. Me. The House republicans had a golfing event scheduled the same day. I canceled the golf outing and attended the meeting. My opponent made a different decision. My belief is if I’m going to do my job as a legislator, it’s important I prioritize the needs of my constituents. This is just one example of many, but I share it to show that I care. When a community in our district calls, I am there.
Third, I am effective. I know how to get things done for District 4. When wind towers first went up in our district and schools weren’t realizing the full amount of tax they were supposed to receive, I introduced legislation to fix it. When a school in our district was threatened with closure, I authored legislation to resolve the problem. And when the bill to appropriate funds to rehabilitate the rail line from Milbank to Sisseton ran into problems because of differences between the two legislative chambers, I teamed up with Senator Wiik to resolve them.
Last, I have a proven conservative record. It’s one thing to say you’re a conservative, but it’s another thing to have a voting record that proves it. I look to solve problems by seeking conservative solutions, like reducing red tape, decreasing regulations, cutting spending and containing expansion of government. I am grateful conservative organizations have taken note of my record. In the race for the senate, I am endorsed by Right to Life, the NRA, Protecting South Dakota Kids, and others. The Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) recognized me with an Award for Conservative Excellence, highlighting my consistent support for fiscal respon- sibility, individual liberties and limited government. Voter.com just came out with a comparison of legislators’ family-friendly voting record. I scored 94 percent. My opponent 72 percent.
(Editor’s note: Within the typical election process, the Republican primary winners for District Four in the State Legislature would advance to the general election ballot in November. There are no known Democratic or other party candidates for those positions at this time.)
Do you believe a legislator’s role is to lead the people or to be reflective of the people’s wishes? How would you go about fulfilling the responsibility indicated in your answer?
My role as your legislator is literally to be your servant to represent you in the legislature. I do not function above the wishes of the public; I function to represent them. You, the public, are my boss. My job is to listen to you and vote accordingly.
I fulfill the responsibility by listening to you, reading every email, card and letter I receive from you, and asking lots and lots of questions. I have also established several focus groups in our district to seek input on specific issues. For example, during session I have all eleven school superintendents on an email list and seek their input several times per week about upcoming bills. I have a similar focus group with District 4 farmers about agricultural issues, and another with healthcare providers about medical issues. I listen, learn and vote what I believe is the majority opinion from District 4.
Describe the dynamic as it currently exists between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party at the state level. Do you see ways to merge the visions of the two for the betterment of life for the state’s populace or do you believe that there must be a clear victor in the ideology that will direct the state’s destiny?
The overwhelming dynamic is one of collegiality, respect and professionalism. On pragmatic, non-ideologic issues, members from the two parties often agree and work together. But as you would expect, the belief about what is best differs on ideologic issues like the size of government, the amount of taxes government imposes and abortion. These differences are hard, if not impossible, to reconcile.
The state’s political scene is ripe for much discussion, debate and potential action in many areas, such as eminent domain, legalization of marijuana for recreational use and civil liberties – ranging from health care to religion. Please contribute a paragraph about each of three issues you think can be settled in the next two years.
This Session we heard three bills to allow for-profit entities to use eminent domain to take private property for corporate gain; and to eliminate local control of counties and municipalities when dealing with linear projects such as pipelines. The bills came on behalf of CO2 pipeline companies.
I believe South Dakota needs to support ethanol and capitalize on the financial benefits of reducing carbon intensity scores, but we must do so without giving up important principles.
A fundamental principle of our constitution is that landowners have rights. Another is that local governments are best suited to deal with local issues. Local governments are closer to the people, more responsive to citizens, and better equipped for representing constituents. I opposed SB201 because it eliminated local control. My opponent voted opposite.
Regarding legalized marijuana: If sufficient signatures are collected, recreational marijuana will go on the ballot in November for the voters to decide if it should be legalized. Whatever the voters decide, my job as your senator will be make sure the will of the voters is followed.
Civil liberties: I have a proven track record of voting to protect our God-given liberties, like the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom to own and bear arms. If elected to the Senate, that won’t change.
