SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(The Dakota Scout)- The South Dakota Democratic Party has rehired its former executive director whose abrupt resignation earlier this year led to the ouster of the party’s top official.

Dan Ahlers has resumed his position as SDDP’s executive director following his departure from the job in late July, when he raised alarms about the party’s chairwoman mismanaging the organization.

The resignation of Ahlers, a former Dell Rapids lawmaker and U.S. Senate candidate who was leading the Democrats’ day-to-day operations at the time, sparked the recall of now-former Chairwoman Jennifer Slaight-Hansen in August. Last month, SDDP’s state central committee selected Shane Merrill of Parker to fill the position.

The party’s executive committee last week voted unanimously to rehire Ahlers, who came at Merrill’s recommendation following a nationwide search for potential applicants.