Trio of South Dakota Democrats get nod from state party

SDDP honors members during annual McGovern Day celebration

A pair of former South Dakota lawmakers and an up-and-comer anticipated to someday join their ranks were honored this weekend at the South Dakota Democratic Party’s McGovern Day Luncheon.

Former state Sen. Roberta Rasmussen, who served in the Legislature from 1991 to 1996, was this year’s recipient of SDDP’s Goldie Wells Lifetime Achievement Award for decades of service to both her state and party.

Hailing from Hurley, Rasmussen chaired the Senate Agriculture Committee for a time and spent years active in the Democratic Party both before and after holding office.

“Roberta is a trailblazer and has been as active as any Democrat I have met in the party,” SDDP vice-chairman Shane Merrill said. “She is an amazing leader, and I am privileged to call her a friend and fellow Democrat.”

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