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is being challenged on the Republican ticket by former state Rep. Lora Hubbel, who qualified for the ballot on Tuesday. He's also being challenged by two Democrats -- State Rep. Susan Wismer, a Britton accountant, and Joe Lowe, the former head of the state Wildland Fire Division.
• Wismer has criticized Daugaard for cutting spending on education and health care, saying she wants to help educate children of all income levels, provide jobs with good wages and help low-paid health care workers. Lowe has said he wants more openness in South Dakota government and better pay for school teachers.
• Daugaard said his administration has worked with the South Dakota legislature this year to freeze tuition at state universities, increase the money given to technical schools and boost funding to K-12 education and Medicaid providers.
• "Many states wish they were in the position in which South Dakota finds itself," he said.
• Lt. Gov. Matt Michels, who will again be the running mate on the Republican ticket, said Daugaard has worked tirelessly for the people of South Dakota.
• "I should know. He beats me to the Capitol every day," Michels said.
• The governor said the state has also passed a comprehensive bipartisan criminal justice reform that improves safety, holds offenders accountable and saves money, and is embarking on a multiyear focus on workforce development. Daugaard also praised his wife, Linda, for chairing a task force on infant mortality, traveling to more than 200 grade schools to encourage reading and inviting South Dakotans to become foster parents.
• Daugaard joked that the job has him wearing suits a little more than he'd like.
• "But underneath these suits I'm still just a farm kid from Dell Rapids," he said. "And every day I still think how amazing it is that I've been given this honor, and I thank you for this privilege."
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