Sioux Falls, SD (June 15, 2021) – The South Dakota Democratic Party (SDDP) is pleased to announce the hiring of Berk Ehrmantraut to serve as the party’s new Executive Director. Ehrmantraut started his political career in South Dakota helping with legislative and statewide campaigns including working on the Billie Sutton for South Dakota Governor campaign in 2018, which raised over $3.6 million in South Dakota’s closest gubernatorial race in decades. 

“Democrats in rural states have an unprecedented opportunity to connect with voters and build back better through federal investments in infrastructure, pandemic recovery, support for working families and increasing the resilience of our communities. In South Dakota we are expanding our reach and our capacity through opening a Rapid City office, receiving expanded funding from the DNC, engaging the community in a new strategic planning process and now the hiring a new Executive Director. It’s always great to bring a young person back to South Dakota. It is even better to bring back someone who is committed to advancing policies that help working families and building the Democratic party across the state. Berk’s prior campaign experience and communication skills will be a real asset as we work to connect with South Dakotans to elect people who will put people over partisan politics.” – Randy Seiler, Chair, SDDP

“Berk is smart, hardworking, diligent, and a great organizer. He is committed to South Dakota’s future. He will be a great asset to South Dakota in this new role,” Billie Sutton said. 

Berk Ehrmantraut will begin his role as the state party Executive Director on Monday, June 28. He will also attend the South Dakota Democratic Party’s McGovern Day events June 25 and 26.  He looks forward to meeting Democratic Party members from across South Dakota who will attend the Sioux Falls event. 

“Over the years, I have met so many remarkable people across the state through my work on behalf of South Dakota Democrats. It is an honor to join the South Dakota Democratic Party as Executive Director, and I look forward to working hard every day to elect Democrats up and down the ballot to make a difference in the lives of South Dakotans.”  Berk Ehrmantraut, Executive Director, SDDP 

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Please direct questions to: Nikki Gronli, nikki@sddp.org • 605-376-3337