Three vie for District 30 House of Representatives

Voters in District 30 have three choices for two seats in the South Dakota House of Representatives this General Election, with Republican incumbent Trish Ladner, fellow Republican Tim Goodwin and Democrat Susan Scheirbeck all vying for a two-year term.
Ladner, the executive director of Visit Hot Springs SD and partner/owner of the PR Marketing Group, LLC, has served in the state House for four years and said she seeks re-election because she enjoys working for the people of District 30 in Pierre and being their voice in committee and on the House floor, whether it is taxes, education, medical or social issues.
“Over the past two sessions, I have developed the relationships and experience to get things done,” Ladner said.
As a legislator, Ladner said she brings proven legislative leadership and corporate experience to Pierre, having managed a successful nonprofit business with 154 employees and a $6.3 million dollar budget.
“Like business, politics is all about relationships and as such, I have developed an extensive network across the state,” she said. “These contacts will help to navigate legislation through the House and Senate and when re-elected, I will pursue my goal to cut property taxes.”
Ladner also noted that during session, she considers it her responsibility to reach out to different constituents to gather their feedback on a bill that aligns with their areas of expertise.
“I appreciate the valuable perspective this provides me when the time comes to make decisions on District 30’s behalf,” she said.
When it comes to escalating property taxes in District 30, Ladner has worked on various taxes over the past four years, including agricultural grassland, elderly and disabled and property taxes.
Ladner points to a statement by fellow state representative Mike Derby, chair of the House Committee on Appropriations who said, “No legislator has worked harder these past two legislative sessions on property-tax reform and relief than Representative Trish Ladner.”
Going forward, Ladner said she plans to continue to spearhead the fight to reduce property valuations with a team of homeowners, businessmen, lobbyists and legislators to find a viable solution to this now statewide issue.
In addition to property taxes, Ladner said she will continue to work with Custer County officials on fire safety and flood mitigation, including legislation to secure money for the repair of West Dam, and work on a reimbursement increase from Game, Fish and Parks to Custer County for the services they provide to Custer State Park.
“I have been working with the Custer County Commissioners and department heads to gather budget/expenditure information. Secretary Robling of Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) has been very accommodating and is more than willing to meet regarding the reimbursement issue,” she said. “That door is open, and I am looking forward to continuing the conversations between GFP and the commissioners going forward.”
Ladner has an A rating with the National Rifle Association, an A- rating with the South Dakotans for Criminal Justice, and 100 percent ratings with SD Right to Life and Family Voice. She is also state chair for South Dakota, American Legislative Exchange Council, Washington, D.C. and was awarded Legislator of the Year by the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association in 2022.
In conclusion, she said “If I could tell my constituents one thing, I’d tell them that I don’t go to Pierre for a mere ‘cause.’ I go to Pierre to advocate for the them and serve as their commonsense voice of reason in the House of Representatives,” Ladner said. 
Goodwin is a retired businessman as well as retired from the U.S. Army. He has already spent time in Pierre as a state legislator for six years, from 2016-22. He lives in rural Pennington County.
Goodwin said he decided to seek reelection to the house upon learning former representative Dennis Krull would not seek reelection.
Goodwin said he would bring experience to the position, having served two years each on Transportation and Taxation committees. He also served four years each on Ag and Natural Resources Committee, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and State Affairs Committee. In addition, he served four years as House Majority Whip.
Goodwin said he has three items on his platform as he seeks office: “property tax reform, property tax reform and property tax reform.”
Goodwin attended the property tax summer study over the summer and this fall and wants to be a part of the solution of property tax reform. He said the skyrocketing home assessment leads to property taxes increasing at alarming rates.
“If we don’t solve this there is going to be a revolt,” he said. “I’m going to Pierre to shift the burden of property taxes to another avenue of revenue taking this burden off of the homeowners.”
Goodwin said voters should cast a vote for him because he is the most experienced candidate and has a record of his accomplishments. His most noteworthy bill he prime sponsored was HB1110, which required the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints compound south and west of Pringle to get birth certificates within 30 days and death certificates within 45 days.
“This bill had such an impact that compound members just moved away and so now it no longer exits,” he said. “Praise the Lord!”
If elected, Goodwin said he would resume writing weekly articles that appear in district newspapers throughout the year like he did the six years he was already in the state legislature.
“This was a very effective way to communicate with citizens of District 30,” he said.
Goodwin said he still gets emails almost daily from District 30 citizens.
“Why? Because they think I’m still in the legislature,” he said.
Scheirbeck is the lone Democrat in the race, and said she seeks election to the House because having a far right, one-part majority in Pierre has resulted in voters not being respected and bad laws.
Among the laws she cited were allowing 16 and 17 year ols girls to marry, despite concerns of high rates of incest for that age group.
“A one-part rule is never good for citizens,” she said. “We need to deeply debate and work across the aisle to get the best of solutions for citizens.”
Scheirbeck said she sees her role as a legislator as doing her best to protect people from harmful laws and harmful corporate greed, and said she will deeply study the issues and seek ideas from all sides about finding good solutions.
“I will not follow a party line in my votes,” she said.
When it comes to property taxes Scheirbeck said methods can be borrowed from other states to deal with the escalation.
“We need to help the elderly stay in their homes,” she said. “Perhaps all the exemptions given in past years to nonprofits need to be revisited...they should also gladly pay for fire protection, schools, etc.”
As far as other issues facing District 30 over the next couple of years, Scheirbeck said rampant housing sprawl increases the need for more and more tax dollars for infrascture costs. She is in favor of nice, small home developments.
“Rural areas need help planning for long term water use, better jobs and better school funding,” she said.
Scheirbeck believes Pierre needs to be better balanced, and she will do the work in reaching across the aisle to get the best for citizens.
“Let’s work together to make South Dakota a state we can be more proud of,” she said. “Not at the bottom for teacher pay, childcare and regressive taxes like the food tax.”
Scheirbeck said her campaign has been a great experience, adding she has enjoyed working with groups to brainstorm solutions.
“I had no idea there were so many wonderful groups in District 30 that work for the people,” she said. “It gives me hope we can make some major improvements on many levels.”