Wikipedia

Dan Ahlers

Daniel Paul Ahlers (born November 14, 1973) is an American businessman and politician who was the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in South Dakota in the 2020 election, which he lost to Republican incumbent Mike Rounds. Ahlers was a Democratic member of the South Dakota House of Representatives (2006–08 and 2017–19) and of the South Dakota Senate (2008–10), representing District 25, which encompasses Dell Rapids and areas north and northeast of Sioux Falls.

Dan Ahlers
Member of the South Dakota Senate
from the 25th district
In office
January 13, 2009 – January 11, 2011
Preceded byArnie Hauge
Succeeded byTim Rave
Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives
from the 25th district
In office
January 10, 2017 – January 8, 2019
Preceded byRoger W. Hunt
Succeeded byJon Hansen
In office
January 9, 2007 – January 13, 2009
Preceded byMike Kroger
Succeeded byOran Sorenson
Personal details
BornDaniel Paul Ahlers
(1973-11-14) November 14, 1973 (age 52)
Dell Rapids, South Dakota, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
SpouseAmy Ahlers
Children2
EducationAugustana University (BA)
WebsiteCampaign website

Early life, education, and business career

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Daniel "Dan" Paul Ahlers was born in Dell Rapids, South Dakota, on November 14, 1973.[1] His family moved to Rapid City and Gillette, Wyoming, before returning to Dell Rapids when he was in high school.[2] He graduated from Dell Rapids High School, where he participated in concert and jazz band, newspaper, basketball, and cross country.[3] In 1996, Ahlers served as a Senate Intern to Senator Hunhoff, Senator Jones, and Senator Morford-Berg. Ahlers was an assistant manager at Menards from 1992 to 2001. He graduated from Augustana University in Sioux Falls in 1997 with a Bachelor's of Arts in government and international affairs.[1]

In 1999, Ahlers opened Video Plus, a video rental store in Dell Rapids. He also opened Video Plus stores in Hartford, South Dakota and Tea, South Dakota, selling both in 2005.[2] The Dell Rapids Video Plus closed in 2019.[4] Ahlers has been a substitute teacher in the Dell Rapids School District.[4] He also owned Jabberwock Coffee House from 2008 to 2011.[2][3]

Ahlers has served community organizations as a Kids Voting South Dakota board member, a Carroll Institute board member, president of the Haven before & after school program, and president of the Dell Rapids Community Fund.[5]

In February 2021, Ahlers stepped down as president and interim administrator of the Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce after 12 years in the role.[6][7]

Ahlers was hired in early 2023 to serve as executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party. Ahlers was re-hired in October 2023.[8]

South Dakota State Legislature

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Ahlers served in the South Dakota House of Representatives in 2007–08, in the state senate in 2009–10, and again in state house in 2017–18. He narrowly lost his 2018 reelection bid, receiving 101 fewer votes than Republican Tom Pischke to represent the district in 2019–20.[6]

U.S. Senate campaign

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On September 24, 2019, Ahlers filed a Statement of Organization to form a committee to run for the U.S. Senate in South Dakota.[9]

Ahlers was the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in South Dakota in the 2020 election, which he lost to Republican incumbent Mike Rounds.[10]

2026 South Dakota gubernatorial campaign

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In February 2026, Ahlers announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in the 2026 South Dakota gubernatorial election.[11]

Personal life

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Ahlers is married to Amy. They have two children.[1]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 "Cafe thrives in Dell Rapids". Pipestone County Star. July 8, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Dan Ahlers". LinkedIn.
  4. 1 2 Anderson, Patrick (March 10, 2019). "South Dakota movie rental store to close". The Frederick News-Post. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  5. ↑ Sneve, Joe. "Meet the candidates: District 25". Argus Leader. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  6. 1 2 Kaczke, Lisa. "Dan Ahlers, former Democratic legislator from Dell Rapids, announces his candidacy for U.S. Senate". Argus Leader. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  7. ↑ Media, Matt Larson, Big Sioux (February 23, 2021). "City of Dell Rapids Proclaims Dan Ahlers Day of Appreciation". Big Sioux Media Sports Network. Retrieved November 18, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ↑ "South Dakota Democratic Party rehires Dan Ahlers". KELOLAND.com. October 18, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Ahlers for Senate". fec.gov. September 24, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  10. ↑ Welte, Dean (November 4, 2020). "Republican Mike Rounds wins reelection to U.S. Senate from South Dakota". KTIV. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Leader of South Dakota Democratic Party announces his campaign for governor". South Dakota Searchlight. February 9, 2026. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
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