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Staff
Dan Ahlers
Executive Director
Dan is a long-time member of the Dell Rapids community where he has been a small business owner for the past 20 years. He is an active community volunteer and organizer. Dan has been a board member of Kids Voting SD, the Carroll Institute, served as the President of the Haven Before and After School Program and the Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce. Dan currently serves as a member of the Dell Rapids Ambulance Board and President of the Dell Rapids Community Fund.
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Dan served as a State Representative and Senator for District 25 in the SD State Legislature for six years. He was a member of the Commerce, Transportation, Retirement Laws, Tribal Relations and Appropriations Committee. Dan was selected to represent South Dakota at the Western Interstate Commission for High Education (WICHE) and was appointed by Governor Daugaard to the SD Mental Health Task Force. He was recognized locally by SD Voices for Children and Disabilities SD for his legislative work with children and people with disabilities. Additionally, Dan has been recognized nationally three times for his leadership as a BILLD, Henry Toll and SLLF Fellow.
Joseph Zweifel
Field & Data Director
Joseph comes to us with a vast amount of experience and knowledge when it comes to politics. He first got started working on the Herseth, Obama, and Clinton campaigns canvassing right here in South Dakota. Joseph was also the Communications Director for the Donn Larson for District 16 Senate campaign in 2022.
From there he went on to hold leadership roles within the Lincoln County Democratic Party and successfully ran for two terms on the Executive Board for the South Dakota Democratic Party where he was part of making systematic changes to better the party, and South Dakota.
Born and raised on a fourth generation farm and in a rural community, Joseph brings a unique niche of focus, knowledge and experience for all of South Dakota. Joseph's values and heart are deeply rooted in rural South Dakota.
Small town values and a farmer's work ethic guides Joseph every day in his dedication to making sure all South Dakotan's, regardless of politics; are valued, cared for, and supported.
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When asked why he loves South Dakota so much, Joseph says "My grandfathers Democratic Party still exists today, and his neighbors Republican Party also still exists today. We still care for one another, even when it seems like we are divided"
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Joseph says his political idol is the late Roger McKellips from Alcester, Joseph's hometown. "Roger exemplified what it meant to be a public servant. He cared for people, and he meant it. Roger fought for everyone, even those that didn't agree with him, and he did it damn well." ​
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.
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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.
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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.
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.