Here is the single most important takeaway from President Joe Biden’s visit to Sioux Falls for the Democratic Party’s McGovern Day fundraising dinner Friday:
State party spokesperson Krista Burns said over 1,200 tickets were sold. Party Deputy Executive Director Joseph Zweifel said the event raised over $275,000 [Joshua Haiar, “‘No Time to Give Up,’ Biden Tells South Dakota Democrats,” South Dakota Searchlight, 2026.06.05].
Over a quarter-million dollars in one night—not bad for Democrats in South Dakota. Show me one event the SDGOP will hold this year that will rake in that kind of cash.
$275K is more than triple the $75K the South Dakota Democratic Party raised in all of 2025 and more than quadruple the $65K they raised in 2024 (see the 2024 pre-primary, pre-general, and year-end reports). In this year’s pre-primary report, the SDDP reported raising $14K.
The SDGOP raised $150K in 2024, $162K in 2025, and $80K pre-primary this year.
Now comes the hard part. Using that money wisely enough to convince voters who can’t imagine being able to afford to go to fundraisers.
GOOD JOB, MR. PRESIDENT.
They need to concentrate on Sioux Falls and Rapid City.
South Dakota Democrats need to run on a corporate income tax, ending video lootery, reducing the number of South Dakota counties to 33 and turning Dakota State and/or Northern State University into community colleges.
Ahlers laughing. Ahlers laughing.
I was so happy we could bring this event for all the Dems (and some repubs) in SD. Truly an honor to look out and see so many friends in the crowd. We sold out the photo line in 16 hours and the dinner in 3 days. Historic night for the SDDP
Any idea how much the SDDP had to contribute for security?
Any report on Biden’s actual speech or interactions?