South Dakota attorney general and gubernatorial candidate Marty Jackley visits USD

The USD College Republicans hosted South Dakota attorney general and gubernatorial candidate Marty Jackley for a meet and greet in the Muenster University Center Pit Lounge on Friday.

Marty Jackley, an alumnus of USD’s law school, discussed his plans for South Dakota, and offered the audience an opportunity to ask questions. Discussion ranged from tuition, legalization of medical marijuana, health care and campus safety.

“When you look at students, I think the school safety issue is important, not just K-12, but in our colleges,” Jackley said.

Jackley said he worked with universities and technical schools for the creation of a program that could be used to report suspicious activity. Currently, the program is used to report drug use, but Jackley said he wants to transition the program to also focus on school safety.

“The Project Stand Up Program, which is an anonymous texting program to allow a means for students who may see a potential danger, whether it’s a weapon or it’s drug activity, to see something, say something,” Jackley said. “(It allows students) to be our eyes and ears in law enforcement and to better protect all students.”

Jackley said visiting universities and connecting with students is critical for his campaign.

“Student supporters and our youth are some of the best campaign tools out there, because obviously this governor’s race affects students and young adults,” Jackley said. “They are an important piece by talking with their friends, getting out in the community and explaining why they are supporting this candidate for governor.”

Jaedon Foreman, College Republicans vice president and sophomore economics major, said the meet and greet gave students the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the Republican party.

“Students can know what the Republican platform is, who the candidate is and why they’re running for governor,” Foreman said. “They can figure out what the candidate’s vision for government is.”

Jackley said being able to represent South Dakota and its values is important to him.

“I’ve grown up in South Dakota; it’s the best place on earth. The jobs that I’ve held have allowed me to travel, and there’s no better place than home,” Jackley said. “I love the people of South Dakota, I love their work ethic and this is an important state to me.”