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Party Leadership
Shane Merrill
Chair
Shane Merrill became an active Democrat at the age of 18 when he got his start working on the Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin campaign as well as the Tom Jones for State House campaign. The summer of 2010 was an active one, and lit a fire that still carries today. Merrill became active with the Turner County Democrats attending each meeting for the past 13 years. He was soon elected vice chair and decided to throw his name in the hat for a local city council race in Parker. He was elected the youngest ever in his city at the age of 22, and at the age of 24 ran for state senate, a race he narrowly lost. Merrill stayed active serving two terms on the party executive board and was awarded the Richard Kneip young democrat award in 2022.
Shane was elected State Party Chair in September of 2023.
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Merrill learned the value of hard work growing up on the family dairy farm, and the value of public service at a young age, watching his father and grandfather serve on the local school board, county commission and numerous agriculture boards. Merrill is excited to work on rural issues during his term as state vice and interim chair. Shane looks forward to building a stronger party.
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When not working on the farm, you can find Shane coaching baseball for the Parker Pheasants, fishing on the Missouri River or spending time serving his community on numerous local boards.
Jessica Meyers
Vice Chair
Jessica Meyers is a 5th generation South Dakotan. She is co-founder and CEO of PorchLight, a hub for rural workforce
development in the Midwest.
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While a regional representative on the Executive Board of the Democratic party, Jessica worked to rebuild party infrastructure in the Southeastern corner of the state for 3 years while running for a state senate seat.
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In September of 2023 she was unanimously voted Vice Chair of the South Dakota Democratic Party. In addition to developing her business and serving the state as the Vice Chair, she serves on numerous non-profit boards and is very active in her community.
Larry Olsen
Treasurer
Larry is a farmer in Davis and a former member of the South Dakota USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee. He has been part of many statewide campaigns over the years and increased his efforts following retirement. Larry also serves as the treasurer of the Turner County Democrats.
Berk Ehrmantraut
Secretary
Berk has served as the President of the Young Democrats of South Dakota and the Executive Director of the South Dakota Democratic Party. He got his start in politics in high school through the YELL (Young Elected Legislative Leaders) program working on a state legislative campaign. He stayed involved in politics through petition circulation campaigns, working on statewide races, including as a staffer on Billie Sutton’s 2018 campaign for governor, and serving as the House Democratic Secretary in the South Dakota Legislature.
Deb Knecht
National Committeewoman
Deb first got involved in politics while working for the Lars Herseth for Governor campaigns as well as many legislative candidates. She was then elected as Brown County’s Democratic Chair for 12 years. Deb also served Brown County as a county commissioner for 12 years. She has taken on many roles in the SD Democratic Party including as an employee, Chair and Vice Chair. Deb received the McGovern Grassroots award in 2008.
Dennis Olson
National Committeeman
Dennis has actively participated in every election cycle since 1972 when he worked on the campaign for George McGovern for President in Wisconsin and Iowa. He has served as the Beadle County Committeeman, State Central Committee member and SDDP Executive Board member. Dennis spent 38 years working with the USDA before retiring.