South Dakota Democratic Party rehires Ahlers as Executive Director

OCTOBER 18, 2023:

The South Dakota Democratic Party (SDDP) is pleased to announce Dan Ahlers has returned as the party’s Executive Director. Dan brings extensive administrative and political experience to the role as a former administrator of the Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce, small business owner, and state legislator.

“We are happy to have Dan officially back as the executive director. Dan and I have a shared vision for our state party of reaching out to Democrats, Independents and moderates to build a stronger party. Our renewed focus on rural South Dakota as well as bringing more folks to the table is imperative. Dan is a proven former legislator who could work across the aisle to get things done for his district and the state. He knows what it takes to win in a tough district. He is the right person for the job at this critical time in our state.” -Shane Merrill SDDP Chair

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023:

The South Dakota Democratic Party (SDDP) held officer elections during its quarterly SCC meeting at their annual Democratic Roundup event (Sept. 16, 2023) in Rapid City. Shane Merrill will serve as the state party’s Chair and Jessica Meyers the Vice Chair.

Jessica Meyers, from Sioux Falls, is the CEO of Porchlight a Midwest talent recruitment firm. Meyers is excited to get to work for the state party. “I’m really looking forward to the future of the Democratic Party in South Dakota. It is an honor to be the newly elected vice chair. Roundup was a huge success this weekend. The banquet hall was filled with Democrats looking forward to the future. We are all ready to move forward.” – Jessica Meyers, Vice Chair, SDDP

Shane is a farmer, school bus driver and baseball coach from Parker, SD. He had been serving as interim chair since August. “We are united and looking to a brighter future. I think having a young, rural voice in leadership will be beneficial to the Party. Our leadership team is a reflection of the people of South Dakota. I appreciate the support and look forward to leading our efforts.” – Shane Merrill, Chair, SDDP

Courtesy photo.

Courtesy photo.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023:

The South Dakota Democratic Party Appeals Committee has upheld the removal of Jennifer Slaight-Hansen as their party Chair following a recall vote by the party’s State Central Committee last month (Aug. 19, 2023).

Interim party Chair Shane Merrill says the Appeals Committee carefully considered the facts and arguments presented during the appeals hearing. After thorough deliberation, he says the group determined the recall vote was done correctly according to the state party’s constitution and the evidence Slaight-Hansen provided to support her appeal did not justify changing the outcome of the recall.

As a result of the Appeal Committee’s decision, new officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair of the South Dakota Democratic Party will take place during the State Central Committee meeting Saturday (Sept. 16, 2023) in Rapid City (Holiday Inn Downtown).

Slaight-Hansen took over the democrat’s party Chair position in April after the death of then-Chair Randy Seiler of Fort Pierre (April 18, 2023). Seiler had planned to leave the position April 30, with Slaight-Hansen having been elected to take over.

The effort to remove Slaight-Hansen began after the party’s Executive Director, Dan Ahlers, turned in his resignation in late July (July 28, 2023). In his letter, Ahlers accused Slaight-Hansen of creating “a hostile work environment for myself, current and past staff.” Ahlers goes on to say, “Her hostility has included demeaning and foul language directed at myself and others.” Ahlers also alleges that, “The Chair has engaged in activity that violates our state party constitution. She has asked us to perform tasks regarding fundraising that could result in FEC violations.”

Merrill says the South Dakota Democratic Party remains committed to fostering an inclusive and transparent political process. The upcoming elections provide a chance for party members to shape the future direction of the party and work towards advancing progressive policies that benefit all South Dakotans.

AUGUST 22, 2023:

Shane Merrill has been named the South Dakota Democratic Party’s interim chair.

During a special meeting of the party’s State Central Committee in Fort Pierre over the weekend (Aug. 19, 2023), members voted unanimously to remove party Chair Jennifer Slaight-Hansen from that position. Democratic delegates with the state party’s Central Committee– the main governing body of the party– had to collect enough signatures to trigger the emergency recall vote.

Merrill is a farmer from Parker and has been an active Democrat since the age of 18. He got his start working on the Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin campaign, became active with the Turner County Democrats and was elected vice chair. In 2014, Merrill ran for city council in Parker. At age 22, he was elected the youngest council member is Parker’s history.

Merrill has served two terms on the party’s executive board. He was awarded the Richard Kneip Young Democrat Award in 2022 for his work in grassroots organizing.

The effort to eliminate Slaight-Hansen began after party Executive Director Dan Ahlers turned in his resignation to the State Central Committee late last month (July 28, 2023).

In his letter, Ahlers accused Slaight-Hansen of creating “a hostile work environment for myself, current and past staff.” Ahlers goes on to say, “Her hostility has included demeaning and foul language directed at myself and others.” Ahlers also alleges that, “The Chair has engaged in activity that violates our state party constitution. She has asked us to perform tasks regarding fundraising that could result in FEC violations.”

AUGUST 20, 2023:

FORT PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Democratic Party ousted Jennifer Slaight-Hansen as state chair on Saturday (Aug. 19, 2023) amid accusations that she violated party rules and created a hostile work environment for staff.

The party’s State Central Committee voted 57-0, with two abstentions, to remove Slaight-Hansen. She can appeal. If her appeal is rejected, a new election for chair will be held Sept. 16 in Rapid City.

The Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported that Slaight-Hansen did not attend the meeting in Fort Pierre. She did not respond to the newspaper’s requests for comment on whether she would challenge the recall vote.

Since Slaight-Hansen became chair in May, office-holders and party activists accused her of not properly communicating with the 11 lawmakers who make up the Democratic caucus in the statehouse, improperly hiring and firing staff, and creating a new job position without notifying the executive board. Some also objected to how the state party joined the Biden Victory Fund, which was not included in the party’s budget or approved by the board. Several donors threatened to withhold contributions.

Former state Sen. Susan Wismer, of Britton, called Slaight-Hansen a dedicated member of the party but said she believed the allegations stemmed from “the fact that she stepped on a lot of toes.”

Democrats are a distinct minority in South Dakota. Republicans hold all statewide offices, including the state’s two U.S. Senate and one House seat, and overwhelmingly control both chambers of the Legislature, 94-11 overall. No Democratic presidential candidate has carried the state since President Lyndon Johnson in 1964.

Shane Merrill, who was vice chair, will serve as interim chair until the election in September.

“This has been a long difficult process for all of us,” Merrill said. “(My) phone’s been ringing off the hook every day, but I do have reason to be hopeful.”

AUGUST 18, 2023:

The South Dakota Democratic Party’s State Central Committee is holding an emergency meeting tomorrow (Aug. 19, 2023, 11am CT at Drifters) in Fort Pierre to vote on a recall effort seeking to remove party Chair Jennifer Slaight-Hansen from that position.

The effort to oust Slaight-Hansen began after party Executive Director Dan Ahlers turned in his resignation to the State Central Committee late last month (July 28, 2023).

In his letter, Ahlers accuses Slaight-Hansen of creating “a hostile work environment for myself, current and past staff.” Ahlers goes on to say, “Her hostility has included demeaning and foul language directed at myself and others.”

Ahlers also alleges that, “The Chair has engaged in activity that violates our state party constitution. She has asked us to perform tasks regarding fundraising that could result in FEC violations.”

Slaight-Hansen has publicly said she’s looking forward to telling her side of the story during the meeting.

Democratic delegates with the state party’s Central Committee had to collect enough signatures to trigger the emergency recall vote. The State Central Committee is the main governing body of the South Dakota Democratic Party.

MARCH 4, 2023:

South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Randy Seiler of Fort Pierre will step down at the end of next month (April 30, 2023) and Vice Chair Jennifer Slaight-Hansen of Aberdeen will take over the leadership role.

Seiler led the organization for about 3.5 years, guiding it through some rebuilding after the Federal Elections Commission audited the party’s finances for 2015 and 2016 and found problems.

During an organizational meeting last weekend (Feb. 25, 2023) in Oacoma, Shane Merrill of Parker was elected Vice Chair, Toni Diamond of Rapid City was elected Secretary and Larry Olson of Davis was elected Treasurer.

(L to R) South Dakota Democratic Party officers starting May 1, 2023: Larry Olson, Treasurer. Toni Diamond, Secretary. Jennifer Slaight-Hansen, Chair. Shane Merrill, Vice Chair.
Courtesy photo.

Two members from each of seven regions were chosen to serve on the South Dakota Democratic Party’s Executive Board. Those members are:

Region 1– Steven McCleerey and Lynn Moran
Region 2– Mary Perpich and Scott Parsley
Region 3– Sharon Schulz-Elsing and Sheldon Osborn
Region 4– Jessica Meyers and Joseph Zweifel
Region 5– Carrie Ackerman-Rice and Frank Kloucek
Region 6– Amanda Bachmann and Wayne Ducheneaux
Region 7– Jay Davis and Sandra White Shield

All officers begin their terms May 1, 2023.

South Dakota Democratic Party rehires Ahlers as Executive Director

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