Aaron Matson

Aaron Matson was born in Watertown, South Dakota. He earned a bachelor's degree from Northern State University in 2002 and a graduate degree from the Trinity Lutheran Seminary in 2008. He also earned a Ph.D. from the University of South Dakota in 2017.

Matson's career experience includes working as a pastor and as an adjunct faculty member at Bellevue University, where he taught political science courses.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a fourth-generation South Dakotan with deep roots in the state. My parents were public school teachers; from them, I learned important habits like hard work, a love of learning, prioritizing family, and being a good neighbor. They taught me the values that guide me to this day, like integrity, compassion, and humility.

I have spent the last 20 years following my calling as an ordained pastor and have also earned a PhD in Political Science. The habits and values instilled in me as a young person, as well as my training and experiences as a pastor and political science, give me a profound sense of calling to make my community and state the best place to live possible.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I want to help bring back common values, common decency, and common sense to our state government.I’m running because I want to make South Dakota an even better place to live, a place where all South Dakotans have a good quality of life and know the blessings of freedom, opportunity, and security.Even more than specific issues, I want to help change the attitude of the state government from a focus on what will get the governor or certain legislators press attention, or cable news interviews, to what we can do together to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

If I'm elected, I will work for a good quality of life for all the people of our state built on common values like freedom, opportunity, and security for all. This means focusing on issues like:​

- Affordable, quality child care that pays a living wage,

- Great schools for our kids with great educators who are paid a competitive salary,

- Freedom for every woman to make decisions about her own body and for every person to live without fear of being targeted by their state legislature for who they are or who they love,

- Opportunity for all voters to make their voice heard,

- An economy where entrepreneurs, business owners, and workers thrive, and

- Expanded access to affordable housing, healthcare, and food.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln, Grassroots: The Autobiography of George McGovern

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Elected officials should be good listeners and hard workers. They should be people who display honesty and integrity and put the people they serve, their state, and their country above their own ambitions.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a hard worker, eager to listen and learn, and be a good neighbor. I have strong core values like honesty, integrity, compassion, and humility. My life experiences growing up in this state, serving as a pastor, and earning a PhD in Political Science have instilled in me a strong sense of public service and a desire to put my skills to work in elected office.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

My answer here is similar to the previous question. In addition, they should uphold their office, to, among other things, “support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of South Dakota, and will faithfully discharge the duties of (senator, representative or officer) according to the best of [their] abilities.”

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

The Doctor from Doctor Who

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

My answers here are similar to the issues I would focus on if elected – affordable child care, health care, and housing, good schools with good teachers who are paid competitively, restoring and protecting freedoms and equality for all South Dakotans, and building an economy that works for everyone.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes. Building relationships with other legislators will help us find common ground with one another and work together better for the sake of the people we serve.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

A legislator from the recent past who I admire and would model my service after is Billie Sutton. He worked hard for the people of South Dakota, served with integrity, and built good relationships with members of both parties, which helped him in legislating effectively.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Not at this time.

What committees interest you?

Commerce and Energy, Education, Health and Human Services, and Appropriations.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency and government accountability are essential to good governance on all levels of government. These are areas where South Dakota has fallen short on for too long.

Do you support or oppose changes to the current state ballot initiative process? If so, what kind of changes would you consider?

The only changes I would support would be rolling back some of the changes made in the past year by the Legislature, which have made it harder for the people of South Dakota to make their voices heard through the ballot initiative process.