Candidate Questionnaire: Kent Roe, Republican Candidate for State Representative, District 4
Candidate Questionnaire: Kent Roe, Republican Candidate for State Representative, District 4
In what community do you live and what is your career?
We live near Thomas, SD. I work as a farmland appraiser. I owned and operated three trucking companies for decades prior to that.
Briefly describe your prior experience and leadership roles that have prepared you to serve as a state representative. What skills, knowledge and insights do you have that will make you the best candidate to represent the Republican ideals going into the general election in November?
I’ve been a businessman and employer since 1988. I currently serve on the New Hope Lutheran Church council as well as on the New Hope Lutheran Cemetery Board. Come on over for our Memorial Day service. I’m on the Professional Appraisers Association of South Dakota board of directors. I’m a member of the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers. I’m a practicing affiliate with the Appraisal Institute. I’ve served several terms as director and vice-president of Sioux Rural Water System. I am a founding director of Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System. I’ve watched as my parents participated and led in their roles as parents and community leaders. That task was neither easy nor convenient for them. It’s my hope to continue their commitment to our lives.
As a lifelong small businessman and entrepreneur my experience as a problem solver has been forged and hardened over time. Sometimes everybody except the boss gets paid when times are lean. I was born in Watertown and lived in South Dakota until 1996 when I moved to Wisconsin. We lived in Wisconsin for several years. There we experienced a far more ambitious form of governance. This strengthened my resolve to return to South Dakota. In 2006 we had the chance to start a couple more small truck lines here. We moved to South Dakota at that time. During the covid experience we had the chance to sell those companies. My wife is a longtime residential appraiser. I’ve been appraising farmland professionally, under supervision, since 2021 when I started as a trainee. I’m on track to acquire a Certified General Appraiser license this summer.
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?
Engaged citizens want robust conversation. It is my belief that a legislator must both lead and reflect. We share a common belief and value structure in District 4. A deliberate and tempered approach to our lives as citizens demands taking steps forward as leaders while reflecting our shared opinions.
As an employer my phone was never out of arms reach. Give me a call, let’s talk. Our opinions may not align, but I’ll always listen.
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?
Unfortunately the democrat party has left its core. I’ve got signs up on dis-enfranchised democrats’ land. The South Dakota politics I recall from childhood are much different than they are today.
“Under God the People Rule” is our state motto. We’re a fiercely independent citizenry. We’re capable of compromise. I don’t see any ideology directing the state, rather a populace of tolerant peaceful people doing the best we can.
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.
Eminent Domain: Eminent domain springs from the 5th amendment to the US Constitution. It is applied when a current use of private property is deemed better suited for the public good. It has been clearly defined by both federal and state law. Without eminent domain no private company could build infrastructure. This includes but is not limited to roads, bridges, housing developments, pipelines, electric transmission lines, etc. I believe your question is pointed at the CO2 pipeline. I support opening our ethanol market to the world. The market demands a product they define. SB201 builds on this and monetizes, through taxation to the carrier, the pipeline. The revenue stream to the counties impacted by the pipeline will be immediate upon operation. The value added to the corn industry will be immediate and long lasting. Every other kernel of corn goes into ethanol production. It’s important.
Legalization of marijuana for recreational use: As an employer and as a former driver I have seen the impact of recreational drug use on people’s lives. The economic impact of recreational drug use is often times is devastating. Drug testing is mandatory for many of today’s best jobs. The testing authorities don’t care about the reasons only the results. A person with a criminal conviction for a DUI is excluded from eligibility for a commercial drivers license. I am a hard no on recreational drug use.
Civil liberties: I’m a big fan of the US Constitution. We have a bill of rights defined there. Let’s be cautious when talking about taking a wrecking ball to the Constitution.
