House: Laurie Wudtke, John Buxcel
Senate: Theresa Spry
Rapid City Journal: District 35
Rapid City Weekly News: Dist 35 Senate Race
Laurie Wudtke
Laurie, a mother and grandmother, is a tireless advocate for veterans. her priorities are to raise the minimum wage, remove the unfair food tax and obtain health coverage for the uninsured.Laurie Wudtke for House
John Buxcel
John is a heavy equipment operator, outdoor enthusiast, and father of three sons. He will work for a living wage, affordable health care, and preservation of natural resources.
John (right) talks about this year's campaign at the Heritage Festival with Sen. George McGovern.Theresa Spry for Senate
Spry says: "Our legislature appears to have lost its way. I want to be part of bringing our government back to reality and back to addressing the real issues, not someone else's agenda of extremism."Spry was born in Rapid City. Raised as the child of an Army officer, who was serving in the SD National Guard when he was called to active duty. She was educated in Germany, Virginia, Chicago and Rapid City. She has raised her family and been employed here throughout most of her adult life. "I am Native American, Native South Dakotan, Native Rapid Citian, and proud of all three. I've chosen to live in Rapid City. I bring a diverse and broad foundation of experiences and perspectives. I want the opportunity to serve in the legislature to make this the place we choose to live, now and in the future," Spry said.
"Our legislature is full of well-meaning people," Spry continues. "But this year, not only did they decline to increase the minimum wage (again), but they refused to consider regulating the use of cell phones by teenage drivers because it would be to much 'government'. Yet they voted to impose their own morality on any and every pregnant woman in South Dakota, practically without regard to individual circumstances. It seems to me our 'ship of state' has been blown pretty far off course."
Spry's work experience includes 7 years as a Certified Family Planning Counselor. "I have tried to help families wrestle with some of the toughest choices imaginable," she said, "and no two cases are alike. What gives the legislature the right to impose its will on all of them and set a single policy for every case? I pledge that as Senator, I will give careful, fair-minded and respectful consideration to every person and every issue."
Spry has also spent 16 years working in Early Childhood Education, Nutrition, Home Liaison, Counseling Programs, a Substitute and in coordinating and providing Tutoring Programs. "I have seen first-hand the kinds of challenges our education system faces every day here and throughout the state. We keep hearing how important education is for our future and economic growth," she said, "but what has been accomplished? I will work to see that first-rate public education is adequately funded statewide, and that the formula for distribution of funding delivers a fair share to the Rapid City's schools."
Health care is another area of major concern, Spry said. "Too often, for too many South Dakotans, Emergency Room Care has become the clinic of last resort. We need to address gaps and shortages that exist in our health care delivery system and focus on maintaining a healthy population, instead of waiting until it may be too late. It just makes sense, and I know preventive care will be far less expensive than relying so heavily on emergency care. With our large aging population, we have ignored the real issues for the rural health challenges we face. " For the past 12 years, Spry is a Home Health Care Provider, including caring for her own quadriplegic son, Bill, who broke his neck in a swimming accident at Angustora. "We live the reality of health care in South Dakota," says Spry.
Spry and her husband have raised their family in the North Rapid home they have owned for 34 years, so they have seen what has happened to property taxes. "It just keeps getting tougher," she says. Concerning current proposals to address the situation, Spry says, "We don't need another band-aid fix. The system is flawed and needs to be thoroughly overhauled. When elected, I will sponsor legislation to impose a corporate income tax to be dedicated to reducing property taxes. It will not be additional revenue. Every penny will go towards reducing property taxes."
Spry, married to her husband, Jerry for 38 years, has five children ages 21 to 37 and five grandchildren. She is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Nation, Tetuwan Oyate. She has been committed in a life long effort to community service, including parent advisory councils, school programs, sports, arts, music, girls and boys clubs, Scouts, Community Action, Community Planning, Health Advisory Boards, Mayor's committees and political action. "I want your vote because I am experienced, reasonable, knowledgeable and capable of the job. Also, District 35 is very diverse. We are a citizens legislature and I believe our legislature should truly reflect our communities."
Theresa Spry for Senate
821 Halley Ave
Rapid City SD 57701
605-341-5497
spryforsenate.com
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