BROOKINGS – Larry Tidemann, former state senator, has announced his candidacy for a South Dakota House of Representatives seat in District 7.
Tidemann has previously served eight years in the state Senate and six years in the House of Representatives from 2005-2018.
Tidemann said he received numerous calls and requests from people in the district, and also other legislators he has worked with over the years, asking him to run again for office. His decision to seek office again was made as he considered the impact the pandemic will have on the economy of South Dakota and the nation. Tidemann said he felt his knowledge of the state’s budget and prior legislative experience would be beneficial as the state works through the challenges.
While in the Legislature, he served as chair of the Appropriations Committee during the last worldwide recession.
“Working jointly with the executive branch and the Legislature, we were able to help South Dakotans rebound and grow our economy during very challenging times. Today, I feel the call to serve again, and to do my part to help make a positive impact,” Tidemann said.
Tidemann served on the Appropriations Committee all 14 years while in the Legislature and was chair or vice chair for 11 of those years. He also served on the Retirement Laws, Government Operation and Audit, and numerous summer study committees including the studies on K-12 education, taxes, Department of Agriculture review and long-term care. He also was on the Legislature’s Executive Board for six years and was chair for one term.
If elected, Tidemann proposes encouraging the state to invest in its No. 1 resource – its young people – through funding for K-12 education, post-secondary education and to assist businesses in recovering from the pandemic crisis.
“We will have to assess the needs of our health care systems to help them recover as well,” he added. “Telehealth, such as what is being used now in a time of ‘sheltering in place,’ may have a larger role in the future and we need to make sure we have the infrastructure to implement services when and where it is needed.”
“South Dakotans and District 7 residents have challenges before us,” Tidemann said, noting he is willing to “roll up his sleeves” and get back to work to do what he can to help.
Tidemann feels that serving as a representative means just that.
“You have to truly represent the people in the district. The most important responsibility of a legislator is to listen to the people and be their voice in Pierre.”
Tidemann said he is willing to work to find “common sense solutions” to the problems the state faces.
