The Lake County Democrats, along with the South Dakota Democratic Party, are hosting a town hall forum for U.S. Senate primary candidates Dan Ahlers and Clara Hart. This event will be held on Monday, January 13th, at 7 PM, in Madison, at Nicky’s Restaurant.
For the first time in a number of election cycles, South Dakota Democrats will have a primary election to choose their candidate to run for this senate seat, currently held by Republican senator Mike Rounds. This town hall will be the first of many events across the state designed to help Democratic voters gather information prior to the primary election on June 2, 2020
“Lake County is kicking off the 2020 election session by holding a public forum so citizens can get to know these two fine candidates. We’d like to thank Lake County for putting on this event and making sure residents in the area have access to our candidates so they make an informed decision when they go to vote,” said Randy Seiler, Chair, South Dakota Democratic Party.
The event will be moderated by community member Jack Walters and will involve questions submitted by audience members. Travis Wicks, chair of the Lake County Democrats, indicates that the group hopes that the town hall style will be friendly and casual. “We are not trying to make this a high stakes debate, but more of a way of letting the candidates introduce themselves and share what is important to them as well as hearing the concerns of area residents.”
Dan Ahlers is a former state legislator from Dell Rapids. “Washington D.C. is consumed with partisan politics,” Ahlers notes when asked about his reasons for running for the U.S. Senate seat. “You deserve representation that listens to your concerns and works with others (regardless of party) to find common-sense solutions.”
Clara Hart of Sioux Falls has previously run for State Legislature and Sioux Falls City Council. “South Dakota needs voices in DC and back here in our home state,” Hart states. “I am frustrated when I do not hear from Senator Rounds. He seems too comfortable rubbing shoulders with the elite.”
“We want all community members, even those who are not registered as democrats, to take this opportunity to gather more information about these candidates and the issues that the Senate will be dealing with in the coming years,” states Wicks. “In South Dakota, those registered as independents can vote in the democratic primary. This would be a good opportunity for them to meet the candidates as well.”
The event will begin promptly at 7 p.m., Monday, January 13th at Nicky’s restaurant, address, Madison.
For further information on Monday’s Town Hall Forum, please call Lake County Democrats’ chairperson Travis Wicks, 605-480-1512.