New SD Democratic Party leader just 24 but has years of experience – AberdeenNews.com

By Tom Lawrence| For the American News

SIOUX FALLS Berk Ehrmantraut says he has one main goal as he begins work as the South Dakota Democratic Partys executive director.

Redefine how the people of South Dakota view the Democratic Party, Ehrmantraut said at his office in a small office complex in Sioux Falls. People dont see a lot of Democratic Party, so much of what they hear is from Republicans.

He said the party needs to emphasize its dedication to jobs, health care and education, while pledging to end corruption in state government.

Its a tall order for Ehrmantraut, a 24-year-old former Aberdonianwho introduced himself to party membersJune 25at the annual McGovern Day fundraiser in Sioux Falls. He had been the senior digital communications manager for the Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, based in Washington, D.C., before returning to South Dakota to manage daily affairs for the state party.

Ive worked on campaigns for Democrats in South Dakota for a long time, he said. Felt like this post was the right way to make an impact.

Ehrmantraut worked for former state Sen. Billie Suttons 2018 gubernatorial campaign and Sutton, in a video message during the McGovern Day program, offered high praise for his former staffer, whom he said had great skills and a strong work ethic.

So excited to welcome Berk back to South Dakota, he said.

Its a big job for a young man. But the state party is rebounding, according to Chairman Randy Seiler, who said an infusion of cash from the Democratic National Committee has helped keep offices open in both Sioux Falls and Rapid City and hire Ehrmantraut and two other staffers.

Berk is smart, hardworking, diligentand a great organizer. He is committed to South Dakota's future. He will be a terrific asset to South Dakota in this new role," Sutton said of Ehrmantraut in a news release.

Seiler said that after a nationwide search for a new executive director, Ehrmantraut rose to the top. The search committee, which included Sutton and party Vice Chairwoman Nikki Gronli, made a unanimous recommendation to hire him.

In reviewing his credentials, he has the right mix in terms of his background, a strong policy background, working for nonprofits, a strong political background working for several campaigns, including for the Sutton campaign in 2018, Seiler told the American News. Berk etched all those boxes. He is a committed, dedicated, altruistic young individual dedicated to moving the party forward, doing whats right, doing good, and helping the Democratic Party be part of the decision-making process in South Dakota.

First, the party needs to get more people to the table. It hasnt won a statewide election since 2008, is heavily outnumbered in both chambers of the Legislature and has struggled with financial problems in recent years.

Pam Cole, a former Brookings County state senator, resigned as executive director in February after one year on the job. She now works as a grassroots organizer for Dakotans for Health, which is seeking to expand Medicaid in the state and other health care issues.

The South Dakota Democratic Partyhas gone through a lot of staffers in recent years and all have struggled to recruit candidates, raise money and, most importantly, win elections.

Ehrmantraut said he senses things are looking up.

Theres a lot of energy right now in the party, he said.

Raising money was his specialty during the 2018 gubernatorial race, and he said candidates will be able to compete with the always well-funded Republican nominees in 2022.

First, however, the Democrats need to line people up to run against three high-profile incumbents. Sen. John Thune, Rep. Dusty Johnson and Gov. Kristi Noem all are up for re-election next year. Ehrmantraut said the party will find good, competitive candidates.

Sutton is regularly mentioned as a potential candidate, but Ehrmantraut said he has no idea at least none he would disclose if the former state senator is ready for another campaign.

Youd have to ask him, he said.

Former Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, now the president of Augustana University, and former U.S. Attorney Brendan Johnson, the son of retired Sen. Tim Johnson, are two other prominent Democrats who seemingly could have any nomination they choose.

I havent talked to them, Ehrmantraut said.

One person he knows wont run for office in the foreseeable future, if ever, is himself. Ehrmantraut said he enjoys the behind-the-scenes work and has no desire to be a candidate.

No, Im focused on getting other people elected, he said. Ill talk to you about that in 20 years.

This isn't the first time Ehrmantraut will be quoted talking politics in the American News.

When he was in sixth grade, his class watched President Barack Obama take the oath of office during the school day. Social studies teacher Brett Deibert knew Ehrmantraut kept a close eye on politics, so he asked him for his views.

Hell do all right, the young political observer said.

Ehrmantraut was born in Port Angeles, Wash., but his parents Mark and Brenda Ehrmantraut moved to Aberdeen when he was in sixth grade. They remained in townuntil he was a sophomore in high school before moving to Beresford, where he completed his high school studies. Ehrmantraut got an early start in politics.

In 2014, he campaigned for a Democratic legislative candidate, knocking on doors, doing data entry and communications work. They lost the election in a tough district for Democrats, Ehrmantraut said.

He was a Young Electoral Legislative Leader fellow for the state party. Ehrmantraut worked on a successful petition drive in 2015 to reverse efforts to create a youth minimum wage. Ballot measures have offered bright spots for Democrats during the last decade.

In 2016, he worked for Senate candidate Jay Williams, who lost to Sen. John Thune in a landslide. Then, in 2018, he was a key figure in Sutton's race for governor, which he lost after a vigorous campaign against Noem.

Ehrmantraut attended American University in Washington, D.C., and continued his political training.

In June 2016, he was the universitys delegate to the 2016 College Debate convention at the Dominican University of California in San Rafael. It brought together students from 150 college campuses in the U.S.

After returning, Ehrmantraut told The Eagle, American Universitys campus newspaper, that he learned by listening to various perspectives from young people who were from across the country.

He said he was passionate about ensuring all people had access to health care, having a pro-immigrant national policyand ending gun violence. Not everyone at the seminar shared his opinions, he said then.

So, we had one group session breakout about immigration and I ended up talking to someone who had totally opposite views on what immigration should be and how we should handle it, Ehrmantraut said. But it was a really interesting conversation and a chance to engage with people with different views, which I dont really get to do often.

I think its important for young people to be informed because there are things that can really affect them, he said. For example, the cost of college is something that were all dealing with, (especially)going somewhere like American (University), and there are things that happen in Congress and the political system that really affect what the cost of college is going to be, and how were going to pay for it, and other things like health care. There are decisions made everyday (in the government)that really affect that.

His view on that hasnt changed. Ehrmantraut said he plans to work long days to make the Democratic Party competitive again. As he left the office one day during a recent week, Sydney Swenson, the partys data and field director, told him not to think about politics during the evening.

Thats not going to happen, he replied.

Editor's note: Pam Cole's last name has been corrected in this column.

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New SD Democratic Party leader just 24 but has years of experience - AberdeenNews.com