SDDP Executive Director Responds to Rep. Clark’s Racist Comment

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The South Dakota Democratic Party released the following statement from Executive Director Sam Parkinson responding to State Rep. Michael Clark’s comment that a business owner “should have the opportunity to run his business the way he wants,” and that “if he wants to turn away people of color, then that[‘s] his choice:”

“Rep. Clark’s comments are absolutely disgraceful and disgusting, and simply put, racist. Anyone who is okay with a business discriminating on the basis of race has no business in the State Legislature, or in any elected office. Rep. Clark should drop out of his race for re-election, and leaders in the South Dakota Republican Party should join us in our call for him to drop out. Unfortunately, there has been a real lack of leadership from the SDGOP in standing up to discriminatory or racist statements from members in their Party. The people of South Dakota deserve better.

“Democrats believe that bigotry, racism, and prejudice have no place in our politics and our society, and we will keep fighting to ensure that all Americans can enjoy the freedoms and opportunities afforded to all citizens under our Constitution.”