Rep. Lance Carson, R-Mitchell

Age: 62

Occupation: Retired. Former owner of Lance’s Interstate Amoco.

Personal: Married, no children.

Experience: Is currently a member of the state House of Representatives, finishing his first two-year term. Has served as chairman of the State Fair Board and in community organizations. Served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam.

Why he’s running: “I think that I’ve always had an interest in the state, I’ve always had an interest in government, it’s something that I’ve enjoyed doing. I think that, instead of complaining about it, step up and try to change it. I think there are some things that can be changed. Like when I taught gun safety, I always told kids that if there’s a rule or regulation out there that you don’t like, don’t stand around and talk about it. Try to get it changed. That’s how I feel. I feel like serving in state government is something that I’ve enjoyed and something that, with my background, I bring a little bit to the table.”

What he says he’s accomplished that should convince voters to give him another term: Carson is especially proud of his legislative support for methamphetamine treatment and a special drug court that he said is having a positive impact; his support for South Dakota State Fair funding, which he said is “a very worthy project that had been underfunded for some time”; and his lead sponsorship of successful legislation that helps attract and retain dentist students in South Dakota to address expected shortages in the profession.