SDDP to celebrate the past, work on the future at annual McGovern Day celebration today in Sioux Falls
The South Dakota Democratic Party needs a reason to gather and celebrate. Lord knows they haven’t done much of that in recent Election Nights.
But today is a day to remember a glorious past — and work toward a better future. The SDDP is holding its annual McGovern Day event at the Riverview Barn in Sioux Falls.
Minnesota DFL Chair and DNC Vice Chair Ken Martin is the featured speaker. Our neighbor to the east has a long, proud history of political success, even if the most-famous and acclaimed Democrat in Minnesota history, Hubert Horatio Humphrey, was a South Dakota native.
HHH moved to Minnesota as a young man and rose to power and prominence. He served as mayor of Minneapolis, was a U.S. senator who served two separate stretches in office, and was vice president from 1965-69. Humphrey ran for president in 1960, 1968 and 1972, becoming the Democratic Party presidential candidate in 1968.
He lost a close race to Richard Nixon, carrying Minnesota but losing his native state, just like his close friend and political ally, George McGovern did in 1972. It is amazing that our state twice rejected home sons when they sought the White House, but South Dakota loved Nixon. He was on the winning ticket in our state in 1952, ‘56, ‘60, ‘68 and ‘72.
The Minnesota Democratic Party is actually known as the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party. Humphrey played a major role in a merger with the Farmer-Labor Party in 1944, and the DFL has dominated Minnesota politics since then.
Martin is in his seventh term as DFL chair, making him the longest-serving party leader in its history. He has a high national profile as well, being elected unanimously to a third term as president of the Association of State Democratic Committees by State Party Chairs and Vice Chairs on January 21, 2021.
“Under Ken’s leadership over the past 13 years, the DFL Party has seen unprecedented success electorally, financially, and organizationally,” his online biography states. “Martin has not lost a statewide election during his time as chair and there has never been a 13-year period in DFL party history that has seen more electoral success up and down the ballot.”
Martin, who has worked on numerous campaigns in his career, winning most, has also worked to build Democratic Parties in other states. He believes in developing a comprehensive strategy for all states. South Dakota Democrats, who have not won a statewide race since 2008, are sure to listen closely to his ideas.
Martin lives in Eagan, Minn., with his wife Jennifer O’Rourke and their two sons, Samuel and James.
The South Dakota Democratic Party is hoping for better times in 2024 after a disastrous 2023 that was highlighted by internal battles that unseated a chairman who replaced a longtime party leader who died.
Things are looking up, however, as the party has announced it has recruited more than 100 people to seek office. That includes Sheryl Johnson, who qualified for the ballot to run against Congressman Dusty Johnson, who did not have a Democratic opponent in 2020 or 2022.
There also are 53 hopefuls for a seat in the Legislature, which has 105 seats. Democrats hold just 11 seats now, and are hoping to build on that number. They also have recruited 45 candidates for county offices, including commissioners, state’s attorney, treasurer, auditor and other positions. Several Democrats are running for school board and city council seats, the SDDP states.
Party Chairman Shane Merrill, who took the reins amidst the chaos of last summer, said he is hoping for better results.
“This year we have had to hit the ground running in our effort to recruit candidates. It was an all-out, grassroots, team effort,” Merrill said in a release. “I couldn’t be prouder of our countless volunteers from every corner of South Dakota. Voters are tired of the one-party rule in Pierre. We look forward to an exciting election season as we plan to make gains both locally and at the state Capitol.”
Having a successful McGovern Day to rally the troops and raise some money has to be a step in that direction.
The SDDP will hold a training session for candidates at 1 p.m. today at the Madsen Center on the Augustana University campus. Isaac Wright of Forward Strategy Solutions will be the featured speaker.
“Wright has spent nearly two decades as a communications operative and strategist in campaigns and public affairs,” his online bio states. “He has appeared as a political commentator on Fox News Channel, CNN, POTUS Radio, Sky News, and other national and local programs.”
This is a major event for the SDDP, although there has been little advance publicity. I have not seen any news coverage, but tickets sold at a brisk pace, I was told.
The schedule for tonight is:
5 p.m.: VIP reception, providing a chance to meet guests and speakers.
7 p.m.: Dinner and awards. The George McGovern Grassroots, the Richard F. Kneip Young Democrat and the Goldie Wells Lifetime Achievement awards will be presented.
Tickets are $35 for the VIP reception (free to monthly donors), $45 for Young Democrats. Tickets for the dinner are $95. It’s nearly sold out.
A cash bar will be available, and a silent auction will be held during dinner. Democrats might be in the mood to raise a glass in celebration this year.
Tom Lawrence has written for several newspapers and websites in South Dakota and other states and contributed to The New York Times, NPR, The London Telegraph, The Daily Beast and other media outlets. Reprint with permission.
