South Dakota's most prominent senior Democrat, George McGovern, may have switched loyalties Wednesday, but local supporters of Hillary Clinton aren't giving up; they're just getting started.

A group of more than 20 "South Dakotans for Hillary" met with Daphne Evans, regional field director for Clinton's campaign, at the Rapid City Public Library.

With South Dakota's primary election less than a month away, Evans arrived Sunday night to open a West River field office for the Clinton campaign.

The office, at 2020 Jackson Boulevard, officially opens at noon Saturday, May 10.

While the wheels driving campaign strategy were churning at the national level, a group of local Clinton supporters were already making plans "kicking it in for Hillary," according to Judy Olson Duhamel.

South Dakotans favoring Clinton have remained silent for far too long, Olson Duhamel said.

"It's totally grass-roots," Olson Duhamel said, "just some women who want to get something done."

For Theresa Spry, a District 35 Democratic candidate for the state Senate, the opportunity to campaign for a woman running for the presidency is "massively exciting."

"This is history," Spry said. "It might be a good year for all women."

Olson Duhamel said Evans' assignment was a timely coincidence that fits well with local plans to start campaigning for Clinton.

Organizers for Wednesday's meeting were pleased with the turnout. People were stepping forward to offer furniture, coffee pots, telephones and microwave ovens for the office.

Volunteers also signed up to staff the office or take part in several campaign outreach projects during the next month.

Rapid City Alderman Malcom Chapman said Democrats need to reach out to registered independent voters, asking them to support Clinton. By changing their voter registration to Democrat, they can vote in the June 3 primary.

"We are the only game in town," Chapman said.

The deadline for voter registration or for changing registration for the primary is May 19.

"A lot of people want their vote to be counted," said Dennis Finch, a District 33 candidate for the state Senate.

Finch said that Democrats have always believed in counting all off the votes.

"When they get done at the end of the day on June 3, neither one of them is probably going to have enough delegates to go over the top," Finch said.

The Democrats are not so divided between their candidates that they will give the presidential race to John McCain, he said.

"We don't know who the nominee is going to be yet," Finch said. "Everybody has the right to vote. Let's count all the votes."

Former Sen. George McGovern's decision to support Barack Obama in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination is disappointing, Olson Duhamel said, but her loyalties remain with Clinton. Clinton is the stronger candidate, she said.

"She's a woman of substance," Olson Duhamel said. "She's strong. She's has all the experiences she needs to lead."

As a Democrat, Olson Duhamel said she finds it exhilarating that her party has two "dynamite" candidates for the presidency.

"This is historic," Duhamel said. "I believe we will unify."

If you go:

What: Grand opening of the West River office of South Dakotans for Hillary

Where: 2020 Jackson Boulevard, Suite 5, Rapid City

When: Noon on Saturday, May 10

Contact Andrea Cook at 394-8423 or andrea.cook@rapidcityjournal.com.