Democratic Congressional candidate Sheryl Johnson spells out policy positions to meet needs of South Dakotans

As I travel across South Dakota, I meet people who share the same concerns: the rising cost of housing, stagnant wages and the growing feeling that our economy isn’t working for everyday families.

These concerns aren’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet — they’re about the lived realities of South Dakotans who are trying to provide for their families, save for the future, and achieve the kind of economic security we all deserve.

My opponent, an incumbent and career politician, said in a recent TV interview that dumping more money on a problem makes it worse. This was in response to a question about how we make housing more affordable for low- and middle-income families.

But the irony here is hard to miss. My opponent seems perfectly comfortable shoveling our hard-earned tax dollars into the coffers of the ultra-wealthy and large corporations, while refusing to invest in the people who need it most. His support for tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit the top 1% and his refusal to confront corporate profiteering tell a different story than his words.

I believe that building a strong economy starts by investing in people. South Dakota’s working families deserve more than trickle-down promises that have never delivered. They deserve wages that reflect the cost of living, affordable housing, and economic policies that prioritize their needs — not just the profits of giant corporations and billionaires.

It’s easy to point fingers at workers or claim that “people just don’t want to work.” That’s not the reality I see when I meet with South Dakotans. What I see are people working multiple jobs, struggling to pay rent, and feeling like they’re falling further behind despite doing everything right. 

We need to shift our focus to policies that uplift these families, and that means making different choices.

One of the most pressing issues facing South Dakota families today is housing affordability. My opponent suggests that getting people “off the sidelines” will fix the problem. But housing prices aren’t out of reach because people aren’t working — they’re unaffordable because wages aren’t keeping up, and corporate landlords are driving up rents.

The truth is, affordable housing requires more than slogans. It requires targeted investments in housing programs that benefit low- and middle-income families. It requires ensuring that wages grow alongside the cost of living, and that we address the profit-driven inflation that has made everyday goods, including housing, harder for families to afford.

In Washington, I will fight for policies that bring housing costs back within reach for working families. That means pushing for investments in affordable housing developments and tax incentives that benefit first-time homebuyers, not just big developers. It also means working to hold corporate landlords accountable for the practices that drive up rents and push families out of their communities.

While my opponent likes to talk about inflation and rising costs, he refuses to mention one of the biggest drivers behind those rising prices: corporate profits. Research shows that large corporations have been using the excuse of inflation to raise prices well beyond what’s necessary, padding their bottom lines while working families struggle to keep up.

This profit-driven inflation — “greedflation” — is hitting South Dakotans hard. Yet my opponent refuses to acknowledge the role that corporate greed plays in driving up costs. Instead, he continues to support policies that give more to those who already have the most. 

The 2017 tax cuts are a perfect example. These cuts were a windfall for the wealthy and large corporations, and my opponent has done nothing to roll them back. Instead of putting that money back into the pockets of working families, it’s been used to buy back stock and line the pockets of CEOs.

I believe in a different approach — one that ensures our tax code works for everyone, not just those at the top. By closing loopholes and ensuring that the wealthy pay their fair share, we can invest in the programs that will actually help working families, from affordable housing to childcare and health care.

At the heart of our economic challenges is a fundamental question: Who benefits from the policies we choose? For too long, the answer has been the wealthy and well-connected. 

My opponent’s record is clear: he supports policies that give tax breaks to the top 1% while leaving working families to fend for themselves. But I believe that economic prosperity should be shared, and that starts with making different choices in Washington.

Instead of throwing money hand over fist at the ultra-wealthy, as my opponent has done, I will work to ensure that every dollar invested by our government helps the people who need it most. Whether it’s through affordable housing initiatives, expanding access to healthcare, or ensuring that wages keep pace with the cost of living, I will prioritize the needs of South Dakota’s working families.

My opponent likes to talk about “fiscal responsibility,” but we need to ask: fiscal responsibility for whom? When we give away billions in tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy, we’re not being fiscally responsible — we’re shifting the burden onto working families. 

And when we fail to make the investments needed to strengthen our workforce, expand access to housing, and ensure people can afford basic necessities, we’re setting ourselves up for greater costs down the road.

Real fiscal responsibility means making investments that benefit everyone—not just the wealthiest few. It means making sure that every taxpayer dollar is used to build a stronger, more resilient economy that works for all of us. That’s the kind of fiscal responsibility I’ll fight for in Washington.

South Dakotans deserve a representative who will fight for them, not a career politician focused on corporate interests or the ultra-wealthy, or the next rung on his political ladder. My opponent may claim that “dumping more money” on problems is the wrong approach, but the truth is, he’s been dumping money by the trainload into the pockets of the wrong people — those who need it least. It’s time to stop the giveaways to the wealthy and start investing in the people who make our economy work.

My commitment is clear: I will fight in Congress for policies that benefit South Dakota’s working families. That means ensuring that everyone has access to affordable housing, health care, and wages that reflect the true cost of living. It means holding corporations accountable for their role in driving up prices and ensuring that our tax system works for everyone, not just the top 1%.

Together, we can build an economy that works for all of us — not just the wealthy few. That’s the future this SD Mom will be working for in Washington.

Sheryl Johnson (seen above in an image from her Facebook page) of Sioux Falls is the Democratic candidate for South Dakota’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.