{KXLG – Watertown, SD} The South Dakota Democratic Party (SDDP) leadership has called for removing Governor Kristi Noem’s Chief of Communications, Ian Fury. The call was made by SDDP Chair Shane Merrill and Vice Chair Jessica Meyers, citing negative national headlines for South Dakota as the reason for their demand.
Merrill and Meyers stated that public service is an honor and a privilege, and South Dakota taxpayers should not be burdened with paying Fury’s annual salary of over $144,000. They argue that his actions have damaged the state’s reputation and negated the millions spent advertising South Dakota nationwide.
The SDDP leaders also criticized Fury for what they described as a failure in performing the basics of a public relations job. They pointed out that Governor Noem lacks a chief of staff and emphasized the need for accountability. They specifically mentioned Fury’s decision to allow the Governor’s recent book to be published without proper fact-checking and review.
During Fury’s tenure as Chief of Communications, Noem has reportedly shown contempt and avoidance of local news outlets and demonstrated hostility towards Tribal Nations. Merrill and Meyers believe it’s time for South Dakota taxpayers to stop paying for what they see as Fury’s incompetence.
The SDDP leaders’ call for Fury’s removal underscores the ongoing political tensions within the state’s administration. It remains to be seen how this demand will impact the Governor’s office and the state’s political landscape.
