Neal Tapio is a Republican state senator from Watertown serving his first two-year term in the South Dakota Legislature.
Campaign slogan: "America first. South Dakota strong."
Campaign finances: Tapio raised $13,335 from individual contributors between Jan. 1 and May 16, according to the Federal Election Commission. He loaned his campaign $155,020, the FEC said. His first disbursement was for $266.25 on Feb. 14 to Launch Collective for web hosting, installation and web design. He had spent $131,567.97 as of May 16.
Where he stands: Tapio lists five issues on his campaign website in this order: gun rights; right to life; taxes; government corruption; and education.
On gun rights: "As a hunter I value the importance of gun rights, and understand that hunting is a part of our heritage. But the 2nd Amendment isn't just about hunting, it's also an important part of South Dakotans' right to self-defense." He said he received as a state senator an A rating from the National Rifle Association and the National Association for Gun Rights.
On the right to life: "The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are at the core of my beliefs, I am 100 percent pro-life."
On taxes: "Looking ahead, I think we need to be skeptical of any new tax increase proposals, two of the past three legislative sessions we have seen significant new tax increases pass."
On government corruption: "South Dakota has done a less-than-adequate job of preventing corruption in state government. In the last several years we have seen such problems with EB-5 and GEAR UP, the people of South Dakota deserve answers from those accountable and as your state Representative I will support all efforts to ensure that the corruption we have seen in the past is uncovered and not repeated."
On education: "The parent
