Victor Dominquez

Victor Dominquez (Democratic Party) is running for election to the South Dakota House of Representatives to represent District 34. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. The Democratic primary for this office on June 2, 2026, was canceled.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Victor Dominquez is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and

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?

Strengthen relations between the state and its tribes.Extend healthcare/childcare programs within our state to alleviate the financial burden on South Dakotans.Protecting our sacred Black Hills from industry.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Healthcare is a big policy that Victor is passionate about; being the wealthiest country on the globe and denying universal healthcare to the people that make it rich is despicable.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My mom. She sacrificed her own dreams and ambitions so that my nine siblings and I could live a life better than the one she had. Despite her financial struggles, she earned a Bachelor’s degree, bought her own home, and always made sure there was food on our table. She is the epitome of what it means to fight, and her example has inspired me to continue her dream — ensuring that my children may live a life better than the one I received.

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

Some one word examples would be; honest, transparent, humility, courage, (all of which is honestly hard to find in our elected officials.) Being able to serve on the behalf of those who elected you and not on the behalf of your party or your own personal agenda takes guts, which is why I added "courage" to the list above. It takes guts to stand up for what you believe in, which is why I've decided to run for this seat.

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

Being cordial during the legislative process is a virtue. The ability to work with your colleagues—not because you share their beliefs, but because you value compromise—is essential to ensuring that work gets done within our sacred legislative process.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I hope I’ll be remembered for my willingness to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was at Wal-Mart! I worked there for two years and I loved helping our customers and seeing new faces every single day.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Maintaining mutual respect between the two is essential for the wellness of our state. A divided legislature is a weak legislature, which is extremely selfish to the people of our great state.

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

There is a number of challenges in which I believe must be dealt with over the next decade, which is listed below.

-Housing affordability.

-Public infrastructure

-Environmental protection (Black Hills)

-Social challenges (Between our tribes)

-Water supply/quality (Pipelines

-Healthcare/Childcare gap.

These are all important issues which already do affect South Dakotans, but I believe that within ten years these SHOULD all be a part of our past so long as our elected officials legislate accordingly.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

It could be, but there's been plenty of great Americans who have led with dignity and honor in a public office despite never having experience in politics beforehand. Having fresh voices and new perspectives will always be beneficial.

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

Of course! Building relationships with those who you work with is essential in a field like the state legislature. Working together as friends and not enemies would allow work to get done at rates never seen before.

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

Bernie Sanders! He's maintained his position on policy throughout his entire career. Having been arrested while protesting during the Civil Rights Movement, he has always been a champion of human rights, access to healthcare, and respect for one another. The way he's able to move people with his words is astonishing.

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

Yes! When I reach the age requirement to run for the U.S. House of Representatives you bet you'll see my name on the ticket!

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Yes, one that stuck out to me was about an old co-worker of mine who told me a story about when she was recovering from her cancer surgery. Her doctor advised that she take three months away from work so that she may recover but when she requested the time off her employer denied it. Despite her trying to compromise with a shorter time of leave he still continued to say no. It took her contacting our company's corporate office to get TWO weeks approved for time off, a big jump from her requiring three months off for recovery. This angered me, the lack of empathy within corporations is despicable, especially towards those who keep their businesses running.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Sort of, giving the governor emergency powers but keeping legislative oversight maintains a healthy balance of power. The governor should be able to use their emergency powers.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

Expand mobile health clinics and telemedicine for rural areas. Many South Dakotans live far from hospitals; this would improve access to care, especially for seniors and tribal communities.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Pennington County Democratic Party

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

Yes, earlier this year in March the South Dakota Legislature approved several new restrictions on citizen initiated ballot measures. These measures include shortening petition signature collection periods, requiring signatures from specific geographic areas, and increasing the voter approval threshold for constitutional amendments. These changes could hinder South Dakotans' ability to bring issues to the ballot.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

Enlisting into the South Dakota Army National Guard was my dream since I learned to talk! My great grandfather served in the second world war under General Patton in both North Africa and France! Joining the military is something I will never not be proud of!

What legislation would you enact related to election administration in your state?

Expand absentee and early voting access. People shouldn’t have to choose between working to pay their bills and voting on Election Day. South Dakotans should be able to fulfill their democratic duty as Americans at a time that’s convenient for them.