Stacey BurnetteExecutive Director

Stacey Burnette is a lifelong South Dakotan with over fifteen years of
experience in public service, advocacy, and politics. After graduating from the
University of Minnesota, Stacey returned to South Dakota to intern for
Senator Tim Johnson. Soon after she joined the Herseth for Congress
campaign to help elect Stephanie Herseth Sandlin to her first term in the
United States Congress. She then ultimately served as a senior aide in her
Congressional Office.

Most recently, Stacey worked for the American Cancer Society on initiatives to
reduce and eliminate health inequities across the Midwest. She has been a
member of the South Dakota Cancer Coalition, South Dakota Leaders Engaged
and Determined, as well as many other advocacy organizations.

Throughout her career, Stacey has been committed to public service and the
advancement of equal rights. As the Executive Director of the South Dakota
Democratic Party, she works tirelessly to build a strong party infrastructure
and to elect candidates that represent our values.

Stacey lives in Sioux Falls with her wife, Danielle, along with their two young
children. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and laughing her
family and friends.

Ben DevermanField and Data Director

Prior to working for the SDDP, Ben graduated from the University pictureof South Dakota in the spring of 2016 with Bachelors of Science in Political Science and History. During his tenure at USD, he was a Research Associate at the Government Research Bureau, and he helped conduct policy analysis for various governmental entities and cities across South Dakota, including the GEAR UP program evaluation in the summer of 2015.

Ben has been involved with local Democratic elections in South Dakota for several cycles, and he has helped candidates all across the State of South Dakota running for municipal and statewide elections. Ben is a native of Spearfish, and he spends his free time reading books, playing golf, and spending time outdoors.

Sunny GaughenWest River Field Organizer

Before starting with the SDDP, Sunny graduated from Vassar College in May of 2018 with Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Russian Studies. While at Vassar, she studied abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia and Prague, Czech Republic. She also served two years on Vassar’s Student Gift Committee and 2018 Class Council.

A long-time resident of South Dakota, Sunny got her interest in politics while in high school, where she participated in mock legislature and YELL events and served as a Senate Page in the South Dakota State Legislature in 2014. At Vassar, she worked in the Drama Department Costume Shop, designing and sewing costume pieces for department productions, as well as working on student productions. She also worked as a Resident Assistant and served as the President of a student dance organization. In her free time, you can find Sunny spending time with her golden retriever, George, working in her family’s garden, or watching hockey.

Staff

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