SD Democrats call for removal of Noem’s Chief of Communications

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - Leaders of the South Dakota Democratic Party are calling for the removal of Governor Kristi Noem’s Chief of Communications, Ian Fury, due to what they call “an utter failure in doing the basics of a public relations job.”

SD Democratic Chair Shane Merrill and Vice Chair Jessica Meyers wrote that Fury makes $144,000 a year from taxpayer dollars, but has aided in negative headlines created for South Dakota.

“South Dakota taxpayers should not be on the hook paying Ian Fury more than $144,000 a year salary to destroy the reputation of our state and negate the millions of dollars spent to advertise South Dakota across the country.”
South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Shane Merrill and Vice Chair Jessica Meyers

Governor Noem has received criticism recently due to content in her new book, where she gives the details of killing a 14-month-old dog for “unruly” behavior and attempting to bite her. Noem has publicly defended her decision to kill the dog.

She came under fire once again after The Dakota Scout revealed that in her book, Noem claims she met with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, but that meeting could not be verified. Noem has since refused to answer national media on whether that meeting actually did happen. Dakota News Now contacted Noem’s office before the book was released on Tuesday, and Fury said that the story of the meeting was an error and will be fixed in all future editions.

Merrill and Meyers blamed Fury for not catching these inaccuracies.

“At a time when Gov. Noem once again lacks a chief of staff, action must be made to hold individuals accountable for what can only be described as an utter failure in doing the basics of a public relations job. Fury should not have allowed the publication of the Governor’s recent book without proper fact-checking and review.”
South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Shane Merrill and Vice Chair Jessica Meyers

Noem has also faced backlash from five Native American tribes in her own state who have banned her from their reservations after comments she made alluding that tribal leaders were helping drug cartels function in their reservations.

Dakota News Now has reached out to Governor Noem’s office as well as Fury and we are currently waiting for a response.