SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – After reported frustrations with South Dakota’s congressional delegation, one former USDA appointee will hold town halls across the state.
Nikki Gronli, the former USDA Rural Development State Director under the Biden Administration, will host public town halls in four different South Dakota cities in April, in lieu of the “absence of South Dakota’s Republican Senators and Congressman,” according to a news release.
“We hope your voices will inspire South Dakota’s elected officials to reclaim their constitutional authority and fulfill the duties they were elected for,” Gronli said during a news conference on Monday, April 7.
Thrive Housing Fair to be held April 11th
Find the list of dates and locations at the end of this story. The South Dakota Democratic Party is the main sponsor of the Gronli-led town halls.
Reported Federal Impacts to South Dakota
During the news conference, Gronli said the GOP delegation remains silent on the impacts made by the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk. Gronli cited recent cuts to federal grants, departments, and probationary jobs, as well as the increasing threats of a tariff war.
Gronli described these actions as a “chainsaw” cut to South Dakotan pocket books and retirement plans.
“Regardless of your party affiliations, these polices are hurting all citizens,” Gronli said during the news conference.
Most recently, KELOLAND News reported on statewide impacts made by federal funding cuts to local food banks, local telehealth services, local buffalo ranches, and more.
“We know right now that South Dakota is going to be impacted sooner than a lot of other state because we are so reliant on our federal dollars,” Gronli said during the news conference.
She explained that 43% of the state’s economic budget comes from the federal government.
Dan Ahlers, executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party, told KELOLAND News that Gronli makes a great town hall host based on her experience with the USDA. Ahlers credits Gronli’s experience with South Dakota values, agriculture, infrastructure projects, and federal government efficiency.
“We were looking for someone who could answer some of the questions, that understands a lot of what’s going on in the federal government right now,” Ahlers said.
Response from Elected Officials
During the news conference, Gronli said South Dakota’s delegation has been instructed not to have town halls.
In early March, national reports show that U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson advised congressional Republicans to avoid in-person town halls after a sling of questions and protests over the cuts made by the Trump administration and DOGE.
“None of our congressional delegation has sat down and done a real open forum meeting where people can ask questions and be heard and get answers,” Ahlers said.
Over the past few weeks, KELOLAND News has reached out to U.S. Sen. John Thune for comments on recent actions made by the Trump administration, and continue to wait for a response.
Rep. Dusty Johnson’s office said in a statement “Dusty’s commitment to town halls has earned him the “Most Accessible” award from the Congressional Management Foundation. Since taking office, Dusty has held more than 100 town halls, including recent in-person town halls at senior living facilities, workplaces, and community organization forums. He also hosts monthly telephone townhalls which allow thousands of constituents to participate – which is a much higher attendance than in-person events could gather.”
Most recently, U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds spoke to KELOLAND News about tariffs, DOGE, and the stock market.
Ahlers said the congressional delegation was invited to participate in Gronli’s town halls. According to Ahlers, U.S. Sen. Thune and Rep. Johnson responded to the invitations, but won’t attend the town halls.
“We really want [the town halls] to be non-partisan,” Ahlers said. “It’s really aimed at getting information, to hear people’s concerns.”
For this story, KELOLAND News reached out to U.S. Sen. Rounds and Thune, Rep. Johnson, and state GOP chairman Jim Eschenbaum for a comment, and continue to wait for a response.
This story will be updated with the delegation’s responses once it becomes available.
Upcoming Town Halls
Below are the dates and locations, in order, for the public town halls hosted by Gronli:
Rapid City: Monday, April 14, at the Dahl Arts Center from 7 to 8 p.m. MT.
Sioux Falls: Tuesday, April 15, at the Hamre Hall at Augustana University from 7 to 8 p.m. CT.
Vermillion: Thursday, April 24, at Farber Hall at the University of South Dakota from 7 to 8 p.m. CT.
Aberdeen: Monday, April 28, at the Aberdeen Public Library from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. CT.
Gronli said more dates and locations may be added moving forward.
During these town halls, Gronli will be joined by Julian Beaudion, an activist and former trooper for the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
According to Gronli, her goal for these town halls will be to compile concerns, stories, and information from the people of South Dakota, create a comprehensive report, and give that report to members of Congress. Gronli hopes to make the report public, too.
“South Dakotans deserve to have their concerns heard,” Gronli said during the news conference. “If they don’t come to us, we will come to them.”
Gronli invites all South Dakotans, regardless of political identity, to attend one of these meetings.
The South Dakota Democratic Party hosted Monday’s news conference.
