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Staff
Joseph Zweifel
Deputy Executive Director
Joseph brings extensive political experience and strategic leadership to this role.
He began his work in public service on the ground in South Dakota, organizing
and canvassing for the Herseth, Obama, and Clinton campaigns.
Those early efforts laidthe foundation for a career defined by discipline,
communication, and results.
In 2022, he served as Communications Director for the Donn Larson for District 16 Senate campaign, where he led messaging strategy, media engagement, and voter outreach operations.
Building on that experience, Joseph assumed key leadership positions within the Lincoln County Democratic Party before being elected to two terms on the Executive Board of the South Dakota Democratic Party. During his tenure, he advanced structural and organizational reforms designed to strengthen party infrastructure, modernize operations, and position the party for sustainable, long-term growth across South Dakota.
Born and raised on a fourth-generation family farm in a rural community, Joseph offers an authentic and informed perspective on the issues facing South Dakotans. His roots in rural South Dakota shape both his priorities and his leadership style.
Grounded in small-town values and guided by a farmer’s work ethic, Joseph approaches public service with integrity, accountability, and a commitment to results. He is dedicated to ensuring that every South Dakotan—regardless of political affiliation—is respected, heard, and supported.
When asked why he loves South Dakota, Joseph often reflects, “My grandfather’s Democratic Party still exists today, and his neighbors’ Republican Party still exists today. We still care for one another, even when it feels like we’re divided.” That belief in community over division continues to guide his public service.
Joseph cites the late Roger McKellips of Alcester as his political role model. “Roger exemplified what it meant to be a public servant. He genuinely cared for people. He fought for everyone—even those who disagreed with him—and he did it with strength and conviction.”
Outside of his political work, Joseph is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, fishing, kayaking, tubing, and traveling. He also owns and operates his own photography business.
Krista Burns
Communications Director
Krista Burns graduated from South Dakota State University with a BA in
Broadcast Journalism. She worked as a news producer for 13 years in Minnesota,
Wisconsin and South Dakota. She was most recently the 4pm producer for
KELOLAND Media Group in Sioux Falls. Krista is an Emmy award winning
news producer.
During her time at KELOLAND, she was also in charge of several volunteer and charity campaigns, including raising money for the Sioux Empire United Way and organizing volunteer activities.
Krista grew up in the Twin Cities. She was inspired by Minnesota Democratic leaders such as Gov. Mark Dayton, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Paul Wellstone. She loves hiking, kayaking, reading and taking in the beauty of South Dakota. She currently serves as a board member for the Rainbow Chorus.
Addison Miller
Digital Marketing Specialist
Addison has nearly seven years of campaign experience and a comprehensive
background in digital strategy. He has volunteered for several South Dakota
Democratic candidates. In 2020, he was intern at SDDP. Addison graduated from the
University of South Dakota in 2023, where he held multiple leadership roles, including
Eastern Regional Director of the College Democrats of South Dakota (2020-2022) and President of the Young Democrats of South Dakota (2021-2023). During his time at USD, he founded a voter registration initiative in Clay County that increased newly registered voters by 27%. He also served as Communications Director for the USD Student Government, helping lead student opposition to Governor Noem’s shutdown of Diversity Offices at universities.
After graduating, Addison began accumulating national campaign experience. He served as a field organizer for the successful Danica Roem for State Senate Campaign in Prince William County, Virginia, a pivotal race that helped flip both chambers of the legislature blue and protect a key refuge for reproductive rights in the South. He was then a Political Communications Assistant at the Iowa Democratic Party, followed by work in Washington, D.C. as a Digital Coordinator at the DCCC IE.
Following the 2024 election cycle, Addison returned to South Dakota, lending his expertise locally to the Minnehaha County Democratic Party as the Chair of the Communications Committee, where he led a dramatic 4000% increase in digital engagement.
Cristian Fierro
West River Field Organizer
Cristian Fierro serves as the West River Field Organizer for the South Dakota
Democratic Party, where he works to strengthen Democratic organizing across
western South Dakota through voter registration efforts, volunteer engagement,
county party support, and youth outreach.
Cristian graduated magna cum laude from Black Hills State University in May 2026 with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, minors in Philosophy and Sociology, and a Criminal Justice Certificate. During his time at Black Hills State, he served for two years as President of the BHSU College Democrats while also serving as Financial Advisor on the South Dakota College Democrats Executive Board. In these leadership roles, he helped expand the College Democrats' presence in West River communities by organizing voter registration drives, candidate events, and issue-focused public discussions.
Cristian's political involvement began as a petitioner for several statewide ballot initiatives, including efforts to restore reproductive rights in South Dakota, repeal the state's grocery sales tax, and establish open primary elections. He later worked as a field canvasser for Rep. Nicole Uhre-Balk's 2024 campaign for the South Dakota House of Representatives in District 32, gaining firsthand experience in voter outreach and grassroots organizing before joining the South Dakota Democratic Party staff in June 2026.
Outside of politics, Cristian has worked as a laboratory assistant at Monument Health since 2024, where he draws blood and assists patients in a clinical setting. His experience in healthcare has reinforced his commitment to serving people with compassion, professionalism, and respect.
Originally from Lead, South Dakota, Cristian developed an interest in public service at a young age. Witnessing the national conversations surrounding LGBTQ+ rights, the COVID-19 pandemic, and racial justice in 2020 inspired him to become more involved in civic engagement and community organizing. As a gay South Dakotan, he is passionate about expanding civic participation, supporting LGBTQ+ communities, and ensuring that every South Dakotan has a voice in the democratic process.
Outside of work, Cristian enjoys gaming, crocheting, spending time outdoors, and taking the occasional dance class. He believes meaningful change is built through consistent, everyday action and that everyone has the ability to make a positive difference in their community.