Committee Leadership
Matt Scott: Chair
Hometown: Spiritwood, ND
Family: My wife, Mallory & I have one four legged daughter Gabby
Why do you enjoy living in SD? South Dakota is a great place to live, work, and grow my business. I am able to build relationships with my neighbors, colleagues, and community members. I enjoy the many opportunities South Dakota has to offer and always enjoy coming home after traveling out of state.
Why are you a Democrat? I grew up in a household that valued hard work, community involvement, and caring for others. It is what led me to become politically active in 4-H, FFA, Student Government, College Democrats, and ultimately become involved with our local and state party. I believe, that as Democrats, we have a duty to protect the marginalized, support our agricultural producers and small business owners, create and maintain a clean living environment, support public educators, and support our military and the ideals our country was founded on.
Matt Prehn: Vice Chair
Hometown: Aberdeen, SD
Family: My wife, Heidi, and I have five kids between us. Skya, Max, Mason, Anderson and Simon
Why do you enjoy living in SD? I’ve bounced around Eastern South Dakota since I was four years old living in Mobridge, Aberdeen, Vermillion, Sioux Falls, Chamberlain and then back to Aberdeen. No matter where I’m at, South Dakotans have generally been kind, hardworking, and strive to make their communities better.
Why are you a Democrat? Even though I grew up with a strongly opinionated Democrat, I’ve formulated my own beliefs early on and they usually aligned with the party’s platform. A focus on social support, taking care of the disadvantaged, standing up for women’s, LGBTQ+ and basic human rights, having a strong middle- class, and having a sense of civic duty has always been important to me.
Vickie Haiar: Secretary
Hometown: Lake Preston, South Dakota until 1973; Mitchell, South Dakota, 1973-1978; Aberdeen, South Dakota since 1978
Family: Husband, Dale, 1 daughter and 2 sons, and 7 grandchildren.
Why do you enjoy living in SD? After college graduation, we wanted to continue to be close to family so I stayed in South Dakota, but have continued to live here because it is a safe place to live and raise a family. We also love to fish, camp, and hunt and South Dakota provides a variety of outdoor activities.
Why are you a Democrat? I believe that all people are created equal, that all votes matter and everyone should have access to the voting booth, that healthcare is a right and not a privilege, and that women are smart and are able to make their own decisions on healthcare without the interference of our government. I also believe in sensible gun control and the separation of Church and State. The policies of the Democratic party align with my beliefs.
Deena Ronayne: Committee Person
Hometown: Aberdeen, SD
Family: My husband Rob and our cat, Fredo the Godkitty
Why do you enjoy living in SD? South Dakota is a place where I am able to achieve my goals, learn new things, and make great friends!
Why are you a Democrat? “I ask for nothing, I can get by…but I know so many less lucky than I.” -Esmeralda, Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame
Gary Job: Committee Person
Hometown: Aberdeen
Family: My family consists of my wife, Kathy, daughter, Jean, and grandson, Alexzander
Why do you enjoy living in SD? It's too late to move anywhere else now. It's also a good place to have been raised.
Why are you a Democrat? I became a Democrat at age 18 and have become more involved ever since. I'm a veteran, a past McGovern winner, elector for S.D., and past delegate to the 2000 convention. I've been involved with organized labor for 36 years and a past lobbyist during the 80's and early 90's. I'm also a Mason and Shriner.
Pauline Bruce: Treasurer
