Democrats looking to bring DNC momentum home to South Dakota

Rushmore State sends 20 to nominate Harris as presidential candidate

South Dakota’s delegates to the Democratic National Convention on the convention floor in Chicago. (South Dakota Democratic Party)

Leslie Gerrish’s voice was still hoarse Wednesday morning from the previous night’s excitement.

“That tends to happen when I’ve been cheering,” Gerrish, the Clay County Democratic Party chair and small business owner, explained.

Gerrish, along with the rest of South Dakota’s delegation to the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, were among the thousands in attendance who witnessed a star-studded lineup Tuesday night. The evenings speakers included multiple prominent figures like former President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, all rallying support for the party’s presidential ticket of Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

The momentum pulsing through Chicago’s United Center this week has eluded the South Dakota Democratic Party back home. Beset by leadership squabbles and turmoil, battles with the Federal Elections Commission and no major candidate successes in the state — the party has not won a statewide office since 2008 — Democrats here have had very little to celebrate locally.

WATCH: South Dakota Delegation Roll Call