South Dakota Democratic Party ousts state chair who was accused of creating hostile work environment

FORT PIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota Democratic Occasion ousted Jennifer Slaight-Hansen as state chair on Saturday amid accusations that she violated get together guidelines and created a hostile work environment for employees.

The get together’s State Central Committee voted 57-0, with two abstentions, to take away Slaight-Hansen. She will attraction. If her attraction is rejected, a brand new election for chair will probably be held Sept. 16 in Speedy Metropolis.

The Sioux Falls Argus Chief reported that Slaight-Hansen didn’t attend the assembly in Fort Pierre. She didn’t reply to the newspaper’s requests for touch upon whether or not she would problem the recall vote.

Since Slaight-Hansen turned chair in Might, office-holders and get together activists accused her of not correctly speaking with the 11 lawmakers who make up the Democratic caucus within the statehouse, improperly hiring and firing workers, and creating a brand new job place with out notifying the chief board. Some additionally objected to how the state get together joined the Biden Victory Fund, which was not included within the get together’s finances or accepted by the board. A number of donors threatened to withhold contributions.

Former state Sen. Susan Wismer, of Britton, referred to as Slaight-Hansen a devoted member of the get together however mentioned she believed the allegations stemmed from “the truth that she stepped on loads of toes.”

Democrats are a definite minority in South Dakota. Republicans maintain all statewide places of work, together with the state’s two U.S. Senate and one Home seat, and overwhelmingly management each chambers of the Legislature, 94-11 general. No Democratic presidential candidate has carried the state since President Lyndon Johnson in 1964.

Shane Merrill, who was vice chair, will function interim chair till the election in September.

“This has been an extended tough course of for all of us,” Merrill mentioned. “(My) cellphone’s been ringing off the hook day by day, however I do have motive to be hopeful.”