By I have been back in Aberdeen since February. In that time, I have reconnected with the longtime Brown County Democrats whom I have known to be solid, down-to-earth, policy-focused problem-solvers and new Democrats working in trades, farming, manufacturing, health care, business and other professions.
Miranda Gohn, guest columnist
Some are highly educated professionals, including those who are younger and getting established and one who is established. There is a good chance one will eventually be a high-quality legislative candidate.
There were several county Democrats at a table across the street from Melgaard Park on National Night Out. They were working to get petitions signed regarding Roe vs. Wade with a highly visible fold-up sign and had a petition to repeal the state sales tax on groceries.
I showed up and helped, although as a Minnesotan, I cannot be a petitioner. Met some really nice Aberdonians who are enthusiastic Dems, a few who have moved back to town.
MORE: Slaight-Hansen taking time on decision after being asked to resign by SD Democrats
Jennifer Slaight-Hansen, South Dakota Democratic Party chairwoman, arrived and it was a productive evening with the team of volunteers getting signatures, registering new voters and having great conversations. It was fun, yet we were all focused on the task at hand.
I’ve known Jennifer Slaight-Hansen for 10 years or more. She and her family live about a block away from my mother’s house, where I’m now living. Jennifer has always been professional, passionate about the Democratic Party, hard-working, grounded and nice to me.
I’ll do what I can to support her in her efforts to stabilize and rebuild the party. Jennifer, from my perspective, came from and has ties to a time when Brown County was a Democratic powerhouse in the state. I looked up to those Democrats.
My mother, a lifelong Democrat; my father, who was a Republican and later became an independent; and I used to go to the Brown County Democratic fundraisers when I was young. My parents stressed to us kids to vote for the candidate and not the party since each party has good candidates and can have bad ones.
Do not blindly vote a straight-party ticket. Take the time to scrutinize those candidates. Make sure they are really working for you!
What has recently happened with the South Dakota Democratic Party is saddening. From my distant perspective, I see it as a clash in management styles. Jennifer mentioned to me that when Randy Seiler was chair, he was a hands-off, more delegating type of chair, while Jennifer is hands-on and is taking a far more active role.
It’s frustrating to see news about the party’s problems leaked, knowing South Dakota media outlets would pounce on this. I wish Dan Ahlers well in his next endeavor with the great skills he has and hope he stays active.
MORE: Unhappy with Slaight-Hansen, Democratic executive director quits
We’re getting ready for the Brown County Fair and Northern’s homecoming. As the South Dakota Republican Party gets more extreme with its disturbing move towards fascism, it’s motivating people to emerge and counter it. A representative from the South Dakota American Civil Liberties Union was at the Red Rooster for a recent meeting. A long table in the back was full when I arrived with about half-hour left in the meeting.
I will do what I can to help, for however long I am in Aberdeen, with replacing the current Aberdeen area legislators and helping to support and rebuild a much-needed opposition party. We have our next Brown County Democrats meeting before the Brown County Fair.
Whatever time I don’t spend helping support my now-elderly parents, who have given so much to me, I will spend at the Brown County Democrats fair booth.
Miranda Gohn is a South Dakota native who attended Northern State University. She served in the South Dakota and Texas National Guards during the Cold War and has a background in customer sales and service.