While the South Dakota Republican Party touts a third-tier young libertarian hack as its convention VIP, the South Dakota Democratic Party will be packing the hall at its McGovern Day Dinner with a keynote speaker of real accomplishment and a true public servant, President of the United States Joe Biden:
The South Dakota Democratic Party and Chair Shane Merrill are proud to announce that President Joe Biden will serve as the keynote speaker for the McGovern Day Dinner on Friday, June 5, at the Best Western Plus Ramkota Exhibit Hall in Sioux Falls.
“It is an honor to welcome President Biden to South Dakota, especially during such a critical time for our country,” said Merrill.
At age 29, Biden became one of the youngest Americans ever elected to the U.S. Senate. Over 36 years representing Delaware, he played a leading role in addressing major domestic and international issues, including authoring the Violence Against Women Act.
In 2008, Biden was elected Vice President alongside President Barack Obama. Together, the Obama-Biden Administration passed the Affordable Care Act, helping millions of Americans gain access to affordable health insurance.
In 2020, Biden was elected the 46th President of the United States. During one of the most challenging moments in modern American history, his Administration led the nation through the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerated vaccine distribution, and helped drive an economic recovery that created more than 16 million jobs.
The Biden Administration also made historic investments in communities across the nation—urban, suburban, rural, and Tribal alike. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, roads, bridges, airports, railways, broadband infrastructure, and water systems were modernized and expanded. The CHIPS and Science Act helped revitalize American manufacturing and strengthen domestic semiconductor production.
“It is an absolute privilege to welcome President Biden to South Dakota and have him speak to people from across the state who want a brighter future,” Merrill said. “This is a historic moment for McGovern Day, and we are honored to host someone who knew and served alongside leaders like George McGovern, Tim Johnson, and Tom Daschle.”
“President Biden’s Administration played a crucial role in helping South Dakota recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Merrill continued. “His policies delivered millions of dollars in investments for rural housing, broadband expansion, infrastructure, and agriculture. As a farmer, I appreciate that President Biden prioritized rural communities, supported sustainable agricultural practices, and worked to strengthen our food supply. I’m excited for President Biden to share his perspective with Democratic candidates and supporters from across South Dakota. This will be an incredible evening as we celebrate the future of our state” [South Dakota Democratic Party, press release, 2026.05.16].
Tickets to hear President Biden speak at McGovern Day are $125—young Democrats get a discount at $75.
In light of the total disarray in the SDGOP it’s impossible to imagine George W Bush coming to South Dakota and speaking to a Lincoln Day dinner, innit?