Hulse, Swanson are senate candidates

District 30 will have a new senator after Amber Hulse defeated incumbent Julie Frye-Mueller in the Republican primary in June.

The General Election ballot will see District 30 residents with a choice between Hulse and Democrat Bret Swanson of Hermosa.

Hulse, of Hot Springs, grew up in Hot Springs and graduated from Hot Springs High School, is an attorney employed by Dhillon Law Group who grew up on a hunting ranch. She has been a White House intern during the Trump Administration and chair of the Republican Women’s Virtual Call Coalition with eight different states.

Hulse is a former Miss South Dakota, and her other clubs and credentials include Youth Liaison Committee South Dakota Federation of Republican Women vice chair, Elk’s Club, program committee for the National Federation of Republican Women, president of Federalist Society at Georgetown Law and Phi Beta Kappa.

Hulse has a degree in political science from the University of South Dakota and a law degree from Georgetown. She added she  works in election and political law and previously worked in the U.S. Senate for three different U.S. senators, most notably Josh Hawley on the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

Hulse said she seeks District 30’s Senate seat to  “give us our voice back.” 

“Our community deserves a leader in the Senate who will bring results to our community. Politics isn’t about talking a big game, it’s about solving problems for the people we represent,” she said. “We have lost our voice and I’m running to make sure that our voices are heard in Pierre. I am ready to play offense instead of defense to get things done and moved across the finish line.”

Hulse said she is a daughter of the district, having been raised in and by the community, which taught her the true meaning of service. She said working with Gov. Kristi Noem and President Donald Trump has given her the government experience necessary to be successful as a senator. 

“I have a servant’s heart and the education and experience to be the conservative voice our community craves in the senate,” she said.

If elected, Hulse said she would see her role as senator to be first and foremost a voice for the community. Whether it’s working with our sheriffs to keep our neighborhoods safe or working with small business owners to help our community thrive, Hulse said she will make sure District 30 residents always come first and are heard.

“It is the job of a state senator to be proactive in protecting our area from pending threats to our way of life and values,” she said. “It will be my job as your next state senator to be available to constituents and work on the issues that matter most to residents of District 30—such as property taxes, election integrity reform and community safety.”

On the issue of property taxes Hulse said it has been the number one issue she has heard about while on the campaign trail.

Hulse called it a complex issue that should have been addressed years ago, and one for which a successful solution must be passed next legislative session.

“I cannot understand why nothing has been done to solve this crisis yet. I would like to see a proposal that addresses not only the outrageous increases but the failures the current formula has in school-funding determinations,” she said. “Right now, the state is getting a windfall and paying less than they did to our schools since 2020. I am excited to see what the summer study comes up with as good legislation usually comes out of summer studies.”

Other top priorities for Hulse should she be elected include keeping communities safe and tackling rising costs. She notes she is endorsed by all three sheriffs in District 30, because they know  she will “back the blue” and work with law enforcement and other first responders to prioritize safety in the communities.

“Additionally, in Biden’s America, the rising costs of gas and groceries hurt everyone. In Pierre, I’ll look for creative ways to fight dangerous spending and reduce government overreach to keep more dollars in our pockets, after all ‘under God, the people rule,’” she said.

 Hulse said she is ready to lead from day one should she be elected, and said campaigns should be about issues and ideas.

Swanson is a college instructor who said he wants to help improve the lives of the people of District 30, while bringing an alternative perspective to the table.

Swanson said he has a lifetime of experience in public service, including serving for five years on the Rapid City School District Board of education, as well as other service organizations.

When it comes to property taxes, Swanson said in the short term, he would propose new exemptions, such as a freeze on property tax for those on fixed incomes. In the longer term, he said, residential properties should be taxed similary to agriculture.

Swanson said he sees his duties as a state senator as promoting the interests of the people of the district, and said what most of us value is our freedom.

“Adults can make up their own minds on what they eat or smoke,” he said. “The same holds true for healthcare. Each individual, not the government, should decide what is the most appropriate healthcare for them.”

Swanson said residents of District 30 are his neighbors.

“I live here. My wife and I pay taxes, and, as lifelong educators, we want the best for our community.”