SOUTH DAKOTA

21 Delegates (16 Pledged and 5 Automatic) and 2 Alternates

March 21, 2020 - Statewide delegate selection caucus held via videoconference.

June 2, 2020 - Primary election.

June 20, 2020 - State convention held remotely.

South Dakota Delegation to the Democratic National Convention

AUTOMATIC (5)
Randy Seiler, SDDP Chair
Nikki Gronil, SDDP Vice Chair
Bill Walsh, DNC Committeeman, Deadwood
Deb Knecht, DNC Committeewoman, Aberdeen
Sen. Tom Daschle


AT-LARGE
(4)
Biden (3)
Sanders (1)
Rick Weiland, Sioux Falls
Tom Katus, Rapid City
Betty DeBerg, Sioux Falls

Amanda Fickes, Brookings
Alternates
Candice Brings Plenty, Porcupine
John Solberg, Mitchell
Alternate
Clara Hart, Sioux Falls


PLEO (2)
Biden (2)
Jennifer Slaight-Hansen, Aberdeen
Boyd Gourneau, Lower Brule


DISTRICT (10)
Biden (8)
Sanders (2)
Brooke Abdallah, Spearfish
Mark Anderson, Sioux Falls
Shalene Thompson, Lake Andes
Kellen Returns From Scout, Rapid City*
Sydney Walker, Watertown
Connor Hansen, Aberdeen
Linda Duba, Sioux Falls
Lyndon Hart, Flandreau
Alexandra Fredericks, Winner
Remi Beautiful Bald Eagle, Eagle Butte


Standing Committees
Credentials
Amanda Bachmann, Pierre
Platform Sen. Troy Heinert, Mission
Rules Amanda Fickles, Brookings

Pages
Courtney Merchant, Vermillion
Carter Demaray, Yankton


*Kellen Returns From Scout is the delegation chair.

South Dakota Democratic Party

SDDP TO HOLD 2020 STATE CONVENTION

Sioux Falls, SD (June 8, 2020) – The South Dakota Democratic Party will hold their 2020 State Party Convention remotely on Saturday, June 20th, beginning at 8 am.

Party members will gather—via the safety of their own homes—to elect a National Committeeman, National Committeewoman, Public Utilities Commission candidate, and three Presidential electors. Deb Knecht, of Aberdeen, will run for a second 4-year term as National Committeewoman. Newcomer Dennis Olson, of Huron, has been nominated by former legislator Peggy Gibson to serve as National Committeeman.

Remi Bald Eagle, of Eagle Butte, has announced his intention of running for the PUC nomination. He currently serves as the Intergovernmental Affairs Coordinator for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Remi is also serving as Co-Chair of the state convention.

A new SDDP Party Platform and Resolutions will also be reviewed and adopted.

“Our members are excited about gathering to address important issues facing our state and nation. Great leadership is stepping up to help move our party forward.” – Randy Seiler, SDDP Chair

The final order of business will be to finalize the National Democratic Party Convention Delegate process. Based on the proportion of votes in the SD Presidential primary, the top 8 Biden delegates, top 2 Sanders delegates, and 2 Biden alternates from the District-level Delegate Selection process will be affirmed.

The SDDP Chair, Vice Chair,  Committeeman, Committeewoman, plus Senator Tom Daschle are considered automatic delegates to the DNC National Convention. Two Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO), both pledged to Vice President Biden and 4 At-Large Delegates (3 Biden and 1 Sanders pledge) will also be selected. This brings the SDDP delegation to the total of 21 to the DNC National Convention. If you are interested in serving as either a PLEO or At-Large Delegate, pledges will be accepted until noon on Friday, June 12. Pledge forms are available at sddp.org
The DNC National Convention is slated for the week of August 17th, 2020, postponed from its original date in July.

“During these challenging times, it is critical that South Dakota Democrats remain active and engaged. I look forward to a highly successful 2020 state convention, where we come together in the spirit of progressive change.” – Nikki Gronli, SDDP Party Vice Chair, and State Convention Co-Chair.

For questions, please call or email: Pam Cole, Executive Director, SDDP
(605) 271-5405 or pam@sddp.org

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DELEGATES SLATES TO THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION SELECTED

Sioux Falls, SD (March 25, 2020) – The South Dakota Democratic Party hosted their statewide caucus on Saturday, March 21st to select delegates to the National Convention in Milwaukee, July 13-16, 2020.  Those elected, in priority order, are eligible to continue on to the National Convention pending the results of the June 2nd primary election. Delegates are allocated according to the proportion of votes won in the primary election, to the nearest whole number.

The statewide caucus was held via video conference after approval from the DNC in response to the Covid-19 crisis. Over 150 people took part in the delegate selection process at one of the seven regional caucuses held on March 14th. Approximately 50 pledged delegates for each remaining presidential candidate moved on to the state selection and participated in virtual caucuses.

“For the safety of our members this was the best way to handle this process. Democratic party members from across the state took part. They were patient with the process and thankful we took these measures.” – Randy Seiler, Chair

South Dakota has a total of 21 delegates to the National Convention. They include ten district level delegates, five SDDP leaders (SDDP Chair, Vice Chair, Committeeman, Committeewoman & Sen. Tom Daschle), two Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) and four At-Large Delegates.

The Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) and At-Large Delegates to the National Convention will be elected at the South Dakota Democratic Party’s State Convention, scheduled for June 19-20, 2020.

Here are the results for Saturday’s caucus in priority order.

Statewide Delegate Selection Caucus for Vice President Joe Biden
Brooke Abdallah, Spearfish
Mark Anderson, Sioux Falls
Shalene Thompson, Lake Andes
Kellen Returns From Scout, Rapid City
Sydney Walker, Watertown
Connor Hansen, Aberdeen
Linda Duba, Sioux Falls
Lyndon Hart, Flandreau
Betty Deberg, Sioux Falls
Dennis Olson, Huron
Candice Brings Plenty, Porcupine (Alternate)
John Solberg, Mitchell (Alternate)


Statewide Delegate Selection Caucus for Senator Bernie Sanders
Alexandra Fredericks, Winner
Remi Beautiful Bald Eagle, Eagle Butte
Allison Renville, Sisseton
Laree Pourier, Pine Ridge
Carter Demaray, Yankton
Elizabeth Lone Eagle, Bridger
Steven Just, Sisseton
Amanda Fickes, Brookings
Josh Del Colle, Pine Ridge
Courtney Merchant, Vermillion
John Schmidt, Woonsocket (Alternate)
Clara Hart, Sioux Falls (Alternate)

For questions, please call or email: Pam Cole, Executive Director, SDDP
(605) 271-5405 or pam@sddp.org

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