SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – In three weeks, South Dakotans will decide what candidate will represent South Dakota in the House of Representatives.
Candidates Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson and Democrat Sheryl Johnson sat down with KELOLAND’s Dan Santella to discuss issues facing South Dakota and the country.
The candidates were given the same amount of time and asked the same questions. The full episode of Inside KELOLAND aired at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and will air again at 10:30 p.m. Sunday. You can also watch the segments in the videos above.
Why no debate?
KELOLAND News’ original plan was to host a debate with both candidates in the studio. However, Dusty Johnson’s office declined to a debate, but agreed to a one-on-one conversation with Santella. Dusty said the best way for citizens to understand what a candidate stands for is by answering questions directly.
“I mean, honestly, the debates I don’t think are the best venue to provide a ton of information,” Dusty said when asked why he wouldn’t debate Sheryl on KELOLAND. “They have a tendency to be an opportunity for people to land body blows and to provide bumper sticker slogans.”