SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Democrats are convening in Fort Pierre Friday as they look to reverse a slide that has dwindled their representation in the Statehouse to its lowest point in 60 years.
It’s also been well over a decade since the Democratic Party won an election for a statewide office, but there have been some victories for progressives at the ballot box through citizen-initiated measures. Party activists will be discussing ballot measure strategy on Friday and Saturday, including whether to get behind a campaign to reverse a state law that banned abortions last month.
Democrats also believe the race for secretary of state is winnable and want to boost their candidates for governor and U.S. Senate. Here’s what to watch from the two-day convention:
ABORTION
The state party has not always been clear-cut in its stance on the right to an abortion. In 2020, the party adopted a platform that said it supports the “right for women to make medical decisions for their own bodies,” but did not specifically mention the procedure.
However, the party’s stance and activism around the issue will likely come to the forefront at the convention because South Dakota banned abortions last month when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Party Chair Randy Seiler said the convention would feature “a robust discussion about the various aspects of choice and women’s reproductive rights and government control.”
The party will also discuss whether to get behind ballot campaigns to overturn the state’s current outright abortion ban, which only allows the procedure to save the pregnant woman’s life and has no exceptions for instances of rape or incest.
The Democratic Party has backed ballot measure campaigns in the past and has seen some success. Most recently, it helped defeat a constitutional amendment that would have made it more difficult for ballot measures that raise taxes or spend significant government funds.
“South Dakota has an independent streak and a lot of prairie populism,” Seiler said, adding that the defeat of the proposed constitutional amendment during the June primary sent “a clear message” that South Dakota voters value the ability to enact laws at the ballot.
SECRETARY OF STATE
The number of voters registered as Democrats has been shrinking in recent years, to the point that the Republican Party has an almost two-to-one advantage in registered voters. But Democrats are looking for winnable races as they hope for a momentum change and believe that the secretary of state’s office might offer them an opportunity.
Last month, Republican candidate Monae Johnson beat out incumbent Secretary of State Steve Barnett for the GOP nomination. She formed her candidacy around “election integrity” in a nod to Republican fears that were instigated by former President Donald Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen.
Seiler said he had been approached by moderate Republicans who suggested he run against Johnson, but added that several other Democrats have expressed interest in the nomination.
“Dumping Steve Barnett and basically nominating an election denier is going to have consequences” for the Republican Party, Seiler said. “I think secretary of state will be a competitive race this time.”
OTHER CANDIDATES
Democrats will also select a candidate to run against former Attorney General Marty Jackley, the Republican who is a favorite to get his old job back in November. The party is also expected to nominate state Rep. Jennifer Keintz for lieutenant governor after gubernatorial candidate Jamie Smith, a House lawmaker, announced her as his running mate Thursday.
The convention will also give Democrats an opportunity to fundraise and strategize for the gubernatorial campaign, as well as for U.S. Senate candidate Brian Bengs.