Changes at the SDGOP. GOP ED Budmayr resigns, party recruiting for Communication and Fundraising staff.

Pat Powers

The SDGOP went through some structural changes in light of new leadership this week, as GOP ED Ryan Budmayr announced his departure from the state’s dominant political party in a letter that went out to the South Dakota Republican Central Committee:


At the state party’s website at SouthDakotaGOP.com, a press release was posted yesterday about the changes, along with an indication from new party chairman Dan Lederman that the party is immediately looking to hire two new positions as part of a restructuring:

“This week, the Republican State Central Committee discussed restructuring and re-prioritizing the GOP’s central office towards the activities of party building, volunteer coordination, communication, and ramping up our operations for what we view as the biggest election in nearly a decade,” Lederman said.

The Communications Director will be responsible for developing, implementing and supervising the Party’s communications program and messaging, including press and public relations, earned media, paid media, publications, advertising, and support to the State Central Committee, Executive Board, and county parties.

The Finance Director will work with the party’s Executive Board to develop a comprehensive fund-raising program each year, including Direct Mail, Telemarketing, events, and other fundraising opportunities.

Read it all here.

Hiring on Communication and Finance staff might be an indication that the central committee intends the GOP to return to a more traditional structure as they once had a decade or so before with dedicated personnel handling communication and direct mail/event duties.

Despite Dem’s having an anemic presence in elected office, they’ve been pushing letters to the editor and press releases hard over the past cycle with dedicated staff. This may be a signal that the GOP is ready to take the fight to the streets as well as the ballot box.

So, if you’re looking for a job in politics, read the full release here, and send Dan your resume’.

17 thoughts on “Changes at the SDGOP. GOP ED Budmayr resigns, party recruiting for Communication and Fundraising staff.”

  1. Lederman and his supporters have the SD GOP alive again and firing on all cylinders.

    Just like President Trump Chairman Lederman is following through on his promises.

    1. I think we should all be Lederman supporters now…he won the election…we need to come together…..

  2. Big things happening in the SD GOP! I look forward to seeing Lederman’s team take shape to put the party in the best place to win in ’18.

  3. Appointing a finance director right away is a good move! and we clearly need some push back on communications…I would say the Democrats are winning he PR war of everyone in Pierre is corrupt…makes for a tough headwind coming into 2018 unless we can turn that narrative around quickly.

  6. I am looking forward to seeing what my friend (and Chairman) Lederman will do. You, Dan, have my full support.
    The state party needs to pay closer attention to the folks working in the trenches pounding in fencepost and hanging roadsigns. They need to do more to attract more active members to the county parties.
    I know fundraising is important to the success of the SDGOP, but so is people raising.
    See you on the tenth!

  7. Thanks to Mr. Budmayr for your hard work for the party.

    The restructuring is overdue having one person running the show takes a lot of work. This will make the party stronger going into 2018 election season. The SDGOP as the talent and leadership to help organize volunteers. Lets make the Democracts an endangered species in South Dakota.

  8. I agree with Harold. Thanks Ryan for your service. The Party is better because of that service. I wish you the best on your next endeavor.

    I think the structure of the office is highly dependent on what the Chairman is willing to do and is good at. It appears with the hiring of a finance director and a communication director, the Chair is going to focus on organization. The prior Chair basically did it the other way around. Neither is right or better than the other.

    At the end of the day, would anyone trade places with the Democrats?

  9. Thank you Ryan. You were a great help to our county. We do need more training at the local level – Rick S. says it very accurately.
    Mary Jean Jensen
    Perkins County Republican Chairman

  10. I wonder if the next Director of the GOP appointed by Mr. Lederman might just be Mr. PP himself. It certainly would make some sense, plus it would infuriate a bunch of people.

  13. Though we look forward to working with Mr. Lederman, we Republicans of Butte County are proud of the work and dedication Ryan exhibited in his duties as ED. We wish him the best in his future endeavors and are proud that we can claim him out here in the Center of The Nation. I am sure being the young “whipper” that he is we’ll all benefit from his talents here in the party for many more years to come. We appreciate all he has done. Butte County is here now to offer itself in any way applicable to ensure Dan’s success as chair and for the continued success of our party at the ballot box.

    1. That is chairman, a couple crossed fingers there typing too fast. . .However I’ll answer to anything and Chariman sounds like one helluva title anyone would be proud to claim 🙂

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