Another candidate is vying for South Dakota’s governor seat. Dan Ahlers is the Executive Director of the South Dakota Democratic Party.
He officially threw his hat in the ring in front of a Sioux Falls crowd Tuesday.
Former District 25 lawmaker Dan Ahlers kicked off his gubernatorial campaign thanking his family and followed it by a story, dating a year ago, of a Baltic resident who didn’t know Ahlers was not working in Pierre anymore, or that Ahlers was a Democrat.
“I said, ‘Well I’m the Executive Director for the South Dakota Democratic Party.’ He goes, ‘You changed parties on us?’ Wasn’t the first time I’d heard that," Ahlers said. "But I told him, “No, I’ve always been a Democrat.” This is what he said that really stuck with me, he says, ‘You know, I guess I really never knew but I always knew that you had my back.”
Ahlers told the crowd of over 60 people at the Downtown Siouxland Libraries in Sioux Falls that’s how he wants to govern: by having people’s backs and listening.
While not naming specific policy priorities yet, Ahlers said he will “protect access to affordable health care, retain medical professionals, expand mental health services, ensure every student has access to a quality education, support and protect family farms and advocate for good paying jobs.”
Ahlers faces an uphill climb as a Democrat in the state. The party hasn’t held the governor’s seat since 1978. He acknowledges the challenge but posed a question to voters.
“Who would you rather have representing you: a Republican who expects your vote or a Democrat who will work for it?” Ahlers asked.
He also pointed to his success in District 25, which he calls “an extremely red district,” getting elected to the Legislature there three terms. Ahlers added he’s running because he believes all people, regardless of party, have an “appetite for honesty” and transparency.
“We’re missing that authenticity in politics. We’re missing that accountability when our legislators don’t listen to us, when our elected leaders, when our governors, when our leaders across the state are not listening, and that’s a big problem," Ahlers said. "And I think people are ready for someone who will listen. That’s my record and that won’t change.”
Ahlers contended he’s running now because people around the state asked him to.
"It became very clear over the last few months with the number of people coming up and asking, that they were wanting me to run," Ahlers said.
He faces Robert Arnold in the Democratic primary. Four Republicans and two independents have previously announced candidacies.
