POINT | Democrats can’t grow party by silencing dissent

By Sheldon Osborn, former South Dakota Democratic Party executive committee member

The number of registered Democrats in South Dakota has suffered a steady decline for the past 15 years. Democratic registration peaked at 206,000 in 2009. Concurrently, as the state added 63,000 voters to its voter rolls, Democratic registration has dropped to 145,518 today. That’s less than half of registered Republicans and fewer than Independents, non-party and other registrants combined.

One could conclude that the people of South Dakota are not buying what the Democratic Party is selling. You would think the leaders in the South Dakota Democratic Party (SDDP) would recognize the problem and modify their approach, but the opposite seems true. In fact, instead of focusing on more productive activities, they devoted their summer to orchestrating a planned, organized and emotionally-charged campaign to recall their newly elected chair from her position.

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Jennifer Slaight-Hansen, a respected and dedicated member of the SDDP, assumed leadership in May. Unfortunately, her stint lasted just under two months before a group of SDDP members initiated a campaign to recall her. This recall was primarily based on criticisms that appeared contrived and aimed at discrediting Slaight-Hansen, despite her adherence to customary practices followed by previous chairs, practices never before called into question.

The speed at which the recall process unfolded left little room for careful examination and dialogue. The way the new leadership handled the situation raises doubts about their intentions and agenda. Furthermore, the composition of the Appeals Committee appointed to review her appeal was strategically influenced. Three of its seven members, including its chair, had already voted to recall her.

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