South Dakota Democratic Party

05/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/08/2024 10:19

Call for Removal of Governor’s Chief of Communications

SDDP Leadership Calls for Removal of Governor's Chief of Communications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 8, 2024

The SD Democratic Party Chair Shane Merrill and Vice Chair Jessica Meyers issued the following statement, calling for the removal of Gov. Kristi Noem's Chief of Communications Ian Fury due to negative national headlines for South Dakota:

"Public service is an honor and a privilege. South Dakota taxpayers should not be on the hook paying Ian Fury more than $144,000 a year salary to destroy the reputation of our state and negate the millions of dollars spent to advertise South Dakota across the country."

"At a time when Gov. Noem once again lacks a chief of staff, action must be made to hold individuals accountable for what can only be described as an utter failure in doing the basics of a public relations job. Fury should not have allowed the publication of the Governor's recent book without proper fact-checking and review."

"During Fury's time as Chief of Communications, Noem has had a documented history of contempt and avoidance of our local news outlets and hostility towards our Tribal Nations. It's time South Dakota taxpayers stop paying for Fury's incompetence."

For questions, you can contact the SDDP Executive Director Dan Ahlers at [email protected] or contact the state party office by phone at 605-271-5405 or 605-940-3071.

SD Democratic Party Chair Shane Merrill
SD Democratic Party Vice Chair Jessica Meyers

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