Jeff Marlette

Key Issues

• Family Values

  Supporting traditional family values
  • I believe life begins at conception and I will support Pro Life efforts to protect the unborn.
  • I believe parents must always be informed and involved in decisions regarding their children.
  • I support South Dakota law which states public bathrooms, changing rooms and locker rooms should be utilized in accordance with the individual’s sex at birth, not their named gender identity.
  • I believe in the protection of girls and women’s sports for biological females.

• Fiscally Conservative

  Ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent in a fiscally conservative manner
  • The State of South Dakota has a long history of operating under a balanced budget. I will support and work to continue that practice.
  • Over time, all organizations can drift from sound fiscal practices. I will work to help ensure all State Departments utilize sound business and fiscal practices.
  • I will work to guard against wasteful spending in all current and proposed programs.

• Property Tax Reform

  Supporting sensible restructuring of our property tax system
  • It is clear our current property tax system is receiving a tremendous amount of attention as elected officials at every level and citizens strive to find a better system. I will work tirelessly to help address this issue.
  • At this time, I do not feel attempts to totally do away with property taxes are well thought out or attainable. As a state, counties and cities, funds are needed to provide essential services.
  • To date I have only seen attempts to shift the tax to a sales tax or a state income tax. Neither of these have received a high level of support.
  • I am of the opinion that any discussion on property taxes must begin with the taxes paid by our seniors. Citizens on fixed incomes need stability and predictability, as they do not have the ability to generate additional income to meet increased tax burdens. We should not be taxing seniors out of their homes.

• Focus on Education

  Supporting a strong education for our children
  • First and foremost, our children are our future and we must ensure they are provided with a well designed and well instructed education.
  • As a State, we are constitutionally mandated to provide public education to our children. I support that requirement and will work to uphold it.
  • Based on my many years experience as a school administrator, I believe we are at a dangerous crossroads in our education systems. Fewer and fewer new graduates are entering the education field at a time when high numbers of our teachers are nearing retirement age.  We must work to encourage more young adults to consider teaching as a career field.

• Business-Friendly Environment

  Supporting a vibrant environment for business
  • South Dakota must create an environment not only which attracts new businesses to want to come to South Dakota, but one that also supports the current and future success of South Dakota’s existing businesses.
  • We must promote smart economic growth in South Dakota. We must always be looking for and open to growth, but at the same time, we must have the wisdom to determine if it is the right growth at the right time. We must weigh our current needs as a state, as well as our current ability to provide the resources required to support the proposed growth.
  • It is true as an individual and it is true as a State that we are either growing or we are going backwards. Nothing stays the same in life or in business.

• Ellsworth Air Force Base

  Supporting the Ellsworth Air Force Base Expansion
  • We are very fortunate that Ellsworth Air Force Base has been chosen as the new home of the B-21 Bomber. As a State, we must work closely with the Air Force and with local Ellsworth leadership to help them accomplish this expansion.
  • Infrastructure outside the gate, schools and quality of life issues for their Airmen, their families and their civilian work force will be places we can collaborate and focus our support.

• Military & Veterans

  Supporting those who served
  • Our military and veterans have dedicated their lives to support and defend our state and nation. They deserve our highest respect.
  • I have extensive experience advocating for our military members and our veterans. I will work tirelessly to ensure they receive all the benefits and services they are entitled to and wherever possible to expand those services and benefits.
  • I truly believe having a strong defense is critical to the success and strength of our nation.

• Term Limits

  Support limiting the amount of years State Legislators can serve
  • I pledge to Term Limit myself at no more than five (5) elected terms in the South Dakota Legislature–a total not to exceed ten (10) years.
  • I support SJR 501, as introduced in the 2026 Legislature, limiting Legislators to no more than four (4) elected terms in the Senate and four (4) elected terms in the House of Representatives for a total of eight (8) elected terms.  A total not to exceed sixteen years (16 years) in the South Dakota Legislature.
  • I believe there is merit in gaining legislative experience through serving multiple legislative sessions; however, I do not believe the citizens of South Dakota want their elected officials to become career officials.