Former SDDP chair Slaight-Hansen: Recall was a coup, and was part of ‘calculated and well-orchestrated plan’
Having devoted many years to volunteering for the South Dakota Democratic Party in several capacities, I was honored to be elected as the state party chair with resounding support, poised to guide us towards a brighter tomorrow.
During my campaign, I made a trio of pledges: bring more people to the table, raise more money and develop future leaders. After assuming leadership on May 1, I was delighted that within a mere two months, we made remarkable progress in pursuit of these objectives. I wholeheartedly stand by my efforts and the work we undertook to create positive change within the SDDP (Slaight-Hansen is seen above with President Biden in a selfie posted on her Facebook page). Unfortunately, without the full support of SDDP leadership, I am unable to continue implementing my vision for a brighter future.
Despite stepping into this role during a challenging period in the history of our state party, marked by the untimely passing of my predecessor, the revelation of additional FEC violations with potential fines, and a disappointing 2022 election cycle, I remained confident that we could forge ahead. Prior to the beginning of my term, I had already begun fulfilling my commitment to bringing more people to the table.
I assembled a dedicated team of volunteers, and we devised a comprehensive work plan aimed at equipping the party with the necessary resources to support our candidates and initiatives. Our plan got the endorsement of former elected officials who praised it as the most comprehensive strategy they had seen from the state party in years. Recognizing that our primary objective was to address the concerns of everyday South Dakotans who had gradually distanced themselves from the party, we refocused our efforts on engaging with farmers, teachers, laborers, and small business owners. We understood that genuine problem-solving politics meant establishing personal connections and enabling people to share their needs and aspirations, which would allow the Democratic Party to effectively represent their interests.
I began working with the chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Small Business Council to establish a group in South Dakota. As a small business owner myself, I understand the value of bringing together owners to have their voices heard. To that end, I was in discussions with some small business owners in Sioux Falls who had agreed to take on leadership roles within the group.
Ensuring our candidates and initiatives have the necessary resources is of utmost importance, and fundraising plays an outsized role in achieving this objective. When I first started, we were already facing a deficit in income, and there was no dedicated staff member focused on fundraising. Recognizing the urgent need to raise more funds, we embarked on implementing innovative fundraising strategies. These included dedicating significant amounts of my time to personal calls, which resulted in raising over $15,000 in just three weeks. Additionally, I personally met with potential donors to establish meaningful connections. I also had meetings with vendors to explore the initiation of direct mail, online, email, and text fundraising programs. Furthermore, we actively sought ideas to revitalize our monthly donor programs, aiming to engage and inspire our loyal supporters.
In my pursuit to secure more funding for our state party, I reached out to influential advisors representing major national donors. Their insights were invaluable in understanding how to capture their attention and obtain financial support. Additionally, I sought guidance from national strategists, including a senior member of the Biden campaign's consulting team, to ensure our focus was on the right priorities. Through these discussions, we were able to pinpoint the crucial issues that demand the attention of Democrats in South Dakota.
Moreover, I reached out to Democratic Party chairs from other states soliciting their advice, suggestions, and to simply learn from their experience. I was fortunate to have conversations with some of the leading state party chairs including Ben Wikler, Ken Martin, Liz Walters and others. This exchange of ideas was crucial in identifying and implementing best practices that would be effective in South Dakota.
I made it a priority to reconnect with Sens. Daschle’s and Johnson’s former staff, bringing them back into the fold. These were people who have experience in winning statewide elections in South Dakota, but have not been contacted by the party, in some cases for many years. Their experience and insights from a time when we were winning races here is invaluable. I was learning from their advice and working to implement these proven strategies utilizing modern tools.
Based on my years of leadership as a local party chair and regional executive board representative, I recognized the importance of growing a strong grassroots network. I recruited Executive Board members to create a committee dedicated to developing this plan. By fostering a strong grassroots network, we would create a solid foundation for the party's success and ensure that the voices and concerns of local communities are heard and represented.
I also actively participated in Zoom meetings for various DNC committees, where I advocated for the unique interests and concerns of our state. My proactive involvement and contributions were noticed and I was appointed to the Association of State Democratic Committees (ASDC) Budget Committee. This appointment allowed me to contribute to the decision-making processes and initiatives of the party at a national level.
In addition, I leveraged my personal connections to establish communication with the White House regarding South Dakota judicial vacancies. We have held several Zoom calls to discuss potential nominees and strategize on how best to ensure accomplished attorneys occupy the federal courts of our state. Our nominations were stalled before this, which would have created a judicial crisis in this state.
All of these efforts were geared towards fulfilling the promises I made when I took on the role of chair.
Fostering and empowering the political ambitions of young individuals is crucial for the advancement of our party. Last year, our state faced a significant shortage of potential campaign staff, which greatly hindered the quality of our candidates' campaigns. We can still recall the remarkable contributions made by young individuals from South Dakota who worked on the Daschle and Johnson campaigns, and later became key members of President Obama's campaign team.
During my time as chair, one of the most rewarding experiences was collaborating with two college interns this summer. These interns displayed immense potential and are on the path to becoming future leaders within our party. One of them had already managed campaigns here in South Dakota before venturing to Washington D.C., where she worked as a professional fundraiser, aiding Democratic members of congress in raising funds for their campaigns. She chose to return to South Dakota to pursue a law degree and dedicated her summer to working for the SDDP. We were incredibly fortunate to have her on board.
I have full confidence that both of these young individuals will play a significant role in shaping the future of our party. Their dedication, skills, and experiences make them invaluable assets, and I am excited to witness their contributions as they continue to grow and lead within our ranks.
The role of SDDP chair is challenging and demanding. As the chief administrative officer of the party, the chair carries significant responsibilities and expectations. Yet, it is important to recognize that the position is a volunteer role. Individuals who take this on do so because of their dedication and commitment to the party and its values. They travel frequently, paying for their own expenses, and are expected to contribute financially to support party operations. In my short time, I had already spent thousands of dollars in this volunteer role.
The chair is responsible for coordinating with various stakeholders and making critical decisions impacting the party's direction and success. They are the public face of the party and often bear the brunt of criticism when things go wrong.
When I assumed the role of chair, I was aware of the significant challenges we faced — revenue deficits, pending FEC fines, and internal factions. Despite the magnitude of these issues, I was determined to confront them directly and find solutions.
I acknowledge that during my short tenure, there were instances where I was on the wrong side of certain decisions. Politics is a complex and dynamic field, and disagreements are an inevitable part of the process. Though I made some missteps, my intentions were always rooted in serving the best interests of the party and its members.
I am profoundly disheartened by the recall and the way it was conducted. It was a hasty and unfair process, a Kangaroo Court, where unfounded accusations were carelessly thrown around. The claims of violating the constitution by making staffing decisions without approval were ill-informed, considering that my predecessors had made the same decisions without any objections. Other allegations were simply fearmongering tactics aimed at undermining my credibility and position.
The accusations of me making decisions that should have been left to the executive director, violating FEC rules, or attempting to dictate how legislators should vote were entirely false. I am also disappointed that these allegations were leaked to the press.
Instead of dealing with this in-house, this situation has put a stain on the party that will be there for years to come. The audacity of charging me with using profanity towards a child I had never even crossed paths with is beyond belief. These allegations were nothing more than deliberate attempts to defame me and undermine my authority.
To be completely honest, I had my reservations when it came to hiring Dan Ahlers as the executive director. Despite my admiration for Dan and his impressive background, I couldn’t shake the concern that transitioning from an elected official and statewide candidate to a staff position might prove challenging for him.
Unfortunately, his attitude towards me and his underwhelming performance in the role only served to validate my initial doubts. It’s possible that Ahlers perceived the work environment as toxic when he received constructive criticism regarding areas where he needed to improve.
I am deeply saddened by the personal attacks launched against me. It is disheartening to see that in this day and age, individuals still resort to sexist and derogatory comments to undermine the credibility and qualifications of women in leadership positions. The portrayal of me as a “shrill, brutish dilettante, with delusions of grandeur” is not only offensive but also a reflection of the challenges women continue to face in breaking through gender biases and stereotypes.
The situation took a disturbing turn when individuals were sent to my home to threaten me. The recently elected chairwoman of the Pennington County Democrats drove all the way from Rapid City to Aberdeen. Her message: “Things will get much, much worse” if I didn’t comply with their demands to sign a resignation letter. It was both intimidating and unacceptable.
I stood my ground and refused to be manipulated into leaving quietly, allowing baseless accusations to tarnish my reputation.
The Executive Committee, once a group of trusted advisors, performed a coup, systematically stripping away my authority, leaving me powerless to carry out my duties. Every move I made was scrutinized, every decision questioned, and every action undermined. It became evident that the whole situation was orchestrated by those who sought to take over the party and remove me from my position. The actual recall vote was just a formality.
It was clear that this was not just a disagreement or a difference in opinion. This was a calculated and well-orchestrated plan. Even throughout the appeal process, it was evident that justice was a mere illusion. They manipulated the rules, twisted the truth, and silenced any dissenting voices. It was a betrayal, not just to me but to every member who had placed their trust in our party.
While the recall campaign was a difficult and trying experience, I am grateful for the dedicated individuals who stood by me and supported our efforts to bring about positive change.
As I step down from my position, I hope the next chair will not be satisfied with the status quo but rather build on the progress we initiated and continue working towards a more united and effective party. It is my sincere hope that they will face fewer obstacles and biases than I did, and that they will be able to lead with the support and respect they deserve.
Editor’s note: SDDP Interim Director Shane Merrill was invited to submit a guest column on the party’s tumultuous summer written by himself or another party official. That offer stands.
Jennifer Slaight-Hansen is a former Aberdeen City Council member who served as vice chair and chair of the South Dakota Democratic Party. She was recalled and removed from office in August.
