Three seek state Senate seat

Three Republicans are candidates for the lone District 30 seat in the South Dakota Senate, with Republican Julie Frye-Mueller running against a pair of challlengers—Amber Hulse and Forrest Foster—sin the June 4 election. The winner of that election will advance to face Democrat Bret Hansen in the fall General Election. 

Julie Frye-Mueller

Frye-Mueller, of Rapid City, has served four years in the State House of Representatives and another four in the Senate, and is part owner of a small family business that will celebrate being open 41 years in October.

Frye-Mueller said she seeks reelection to the Senate because she believes she has done a good job speaking out to both protect and watch out for the citizens of the state.

“I care deeply about what is happening in South Dakota and actively work with ‘grassroots’ groups,” she said. “Together our goal is to inform and activate the people to promote good and limited government.”

Frye-Mueller said she I brings knowledge and life experience needed when you are one of 35 members voting on issues that will affect citizens.

“I speak out on behalf of our republican platform values and constitutional rights,” she said. “I am very dedicated to serving the citizens of our state.”

Frye-Mueller sees her duties as an elected senator as serving the citizens of the state and protecting rights.  

“I have not caved to the pressure of the ‘establishment’ in eight years nor will I,” she said. “I will continue to stand strong and show new legislators that upholding your promises define who you are.”

She said she will continue to introduce common sense legislation and limit government control.

On the issue of property taxes Frye-Mueller said she has proposed a “transaction receipt tax” to totally replace property taxes.  Originally, when first looking at the numbers, she said, it was hoped a 25¢ tax per transaction would work.   However, using 2023 total property tax revenue numbers across the state, it calculates to a $1.50 per transaction to totally replace that source of revenue.

“This is complex and needs more discussion,” she said. “This could be lower if we could get our governments’ spending under control.”

Frye-Mueller said she also believes every government agency needs to do zero based-budgeting.  Zero-based budgeting is  a budgeting method that requires all expenses to be justified and approved in each new budget period, typically each year.

“It is terrible that we the people own our property but effectively ‘rent’ because if taxes can’t be paid the government will take our property,” she said. “I have had numerous people reach out to me and they have had their homes for decades. They are afraid they will have to move because they can’t afford the unfair and unreasonable property taxes that they are being forced to pay.”

Frye-Mueller has hosted forums on this subject and plans more to continue to get feedback and discuss solutions.

Other big issues facing the district over the next couple of years, Frye-Mueller said, is property rights and local control are two big issues. 

Frye-Mueller said the passage of SB201 (the bill that allowed the Public Utilities Commission to override county setbacks on pipelines) was terrible for landowners and the fact that the majority of  republican legislators voted “against our Constitutional rights is disgusting.”

Frye-Mueller said hopes people of District 30 would know she dedicated and watches out for all. 

“I have never done anything wrong even though I was falsely accused,” she said, adding she has 100 percent ratings with seven organizations that provide scorecards for the citizens to be informed on how we vote including CPAC-American Conservative Union,  The New American Freedom Index, SD Citizens for Liberty, SD Criminal Justice, SD Right to Life, Family Heritage Alliance (Family Voice), Protecting SD Kids and “A” ratings for SD Gun Owners and NRA.

“I am the only legislator with all of these ratings and it is very humbling. Why would anyone want to run against that voting record unless they had a different agenda?” she asked. “I just want to help all of us keep our freedoms and constitutional rights.”

Forrest Foster

Foster is a design engineer for Caterpillar who works in Rapid Valley. He  grew up on an irrigated farm east of Oral with my twin brother, Frank. The two were involved with 4-H, basketball, hunting, and fishing when not helping on the farm with chores or cattle.

Foster graduated from Hot Springs High School and attended the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology for Mechanical Engineering and planned to work for five years after obtaining my degree before returning to farming.  However, his dad (Vernon) passed away unexpectedly right before my junior year and I ran the farm by himself while finishing college.  

He also has a small custom machining and gunsmithing business and volunteers with 4-H and at the Rapid City Trap Club.

Foster said he decided to seek election to give back to the community that has been there for him.

“We need a leader with life experience and a track record of success to work in Pierre on our behalf,” he said. “My background makes me the best choice to serve the people of District 30 in this job.”

Foster said he brings more than 25 years of diverse real-life experience as a farmer, parent, property owner, small business owner, property manager and employee, along with effective leadership, financial responsibility, civility, common sense and humbleness.

If elected to the Senate, Foster said he would see his duties as upholding the U.S. and state constitutions.  Along with this, he said, one must represent the constituents of District 30 and act in their best interests.

“A senator should have and show integrity and be a role model that we can have our children look up to, and he or she needs to be able to pass effective legislation and stop bad legislation,” he said.

On the issue of property taxes, Foster said it is a complicated subject that needs to be thought out to ensure a solution that doesn’t have negative unintended consequences is enacted.  

“I’ve been researching, attending forums, and discussing this concern with people in many different areas to inform my approach,” he said. “The bottom line is that reducing our taxes will require collaboration with many in the legislature, thinking creatively, and we must find ways to cut spending.”

As for other key issues to District 30 over the next two years, Foster said there needs to be a greater focus on evaluating how tax dollars are being spent, and efficiencies need to be found spending reduced.  

“Our households and businesses are already doing this, and government cannot continue to reach so deeply into our pockets,” he said. “The voters in this district are like me—we want a voice in Pierre that will be listened to, and we want an elected official who will work for our best interests and uphold our values.”

The other issue that needs attention before it becomes an emergency is securing water for western South Dakota, Foster said.  Like it or not, more people are moving to the Black Hills and there needs to be safe, sufficient water for our current and future population he said.

“The aquifers that serve many of us today only have so much capacity—let’s be forward thinking to resolve this issue before the price increases,” he said.

Foster said District 30 candidates will not be seeing a lot of advertising from him for good reason.

“I’m not trying to buy your vote. Being a senator is a job, comparable to being a vice president of a Fortune 500 company.  You wouldn’t hire a vice president based on advertising; you would check references,” he said. “Please check references on the candidates. I’m running on my integrity, values, and reputation.  This is a small world—you know someone who knows me.”

Foster said if you’re not satisfied with what is happening in Pierre and want better results to cast your vote for him. 

“I am not looking for the spotlight or fame; I want to serve the district that has supported me throughout my life,” he said. “I am a common man, a product of district 30 values and will work hard to serve you. My work experience shows I solve problems and help lead teams to results, which is what I believe we need.”

Amber Hulse

Hulse, of Hot Springs, is a lawyer/law clerk 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 that 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 community 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.

“My campaign has proudly stayed positive and focused on finding solutions for the problems the residents of District 30 are facing,” she said. “Decorum and diplomacy are on the ballot June 4. I encourage residents of District 30 to vote for a candidate with statesmanship to ensure District 30 is no longer riddled with scandal.”