Letter to the Editor - Murphy: Rep. Sjaarda will represent District 2 residents, not big corporations

We are writing in support of Senate District 2 candidate Rep. John Sjaarda.
A review of Rep. Sjaarda’s voting record demonstrates an obvious commitment to his deeply held Christian values and conservative principles. With every vote, he puts the citizens of District 2 first and has never bent to corporate special interests.
The same cannot be said of Rep. David Kull’s voting record. Of particular concern is that Rep. Kull voted to pass Senate Bill 201 (the so-called Landowner’s Bill of Rights). Rep. Kull voted in support of this legislation and directly against the interests of his constituents. This bill’s purpose was, in fact, to make it much easier for the Government of South Dakota to utilize eminent domain to force their “carbon pipeline” green new deal agenda. This would have enriched the corporate owners of the pipeline at the expense of our fellow citizens. They literally sought to seize South Dakota landowner’s property to build a pipeline, and Rep. Kull voted to support this obvious and outrageous government overreach.
Public outcry to this government overreach resulted in 14 incumbent Replication candidates losing their race in the subsequent Primary Election in 2024. However, Rep. Kull has never been held responsible by the people for his vote. We have the power to change this on June 2, 2026.
Beyond the seizure of citizens’ property exists the safety concerns inherent to transporting pressurized carbon dioxide underground. A leak could threaten the health and safety of South Dakotans as well as potentially cause catastrophic property damage.
Rep. Sjaarda was staunchly against this bill despite corporate interests which muscled this unjust bill onto the legislative agenda.
We strongly support Rep. Sjaarda and encourage members of our district to vote for him in the Senate Primary election on June 2, 2026. When Rep. Sjaarda is elected to the State Senate we can rest assured that the citizens of District 2 are his priority, not big corporations.

Charles Murphy, MD

Mary Murphy, DO

District 2 residents, Sioux Falls