| Elections in South Dakota |
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The 2026 South Dakota gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of South Dakota. The primary elections were held on June 2, 2026, and since no candidate received over 35% in the republican primary, a runoff election will take place on July 28.[1]
Incumbent Republican Larry Rhoden, who ascended to the office of governor in 2025 after Kristi Noem resigned to become secretary of homeland security, is running for his first full term in office.[2] Rhoden had previously been serving as lieutenant governor under Noem since the two took office in 2019.[2] Democrats have not won a gubernatorial election in South Dakota since 1974.
Republican primary
Candidates
Advanced to runoff
- Toby Doeden, retail and real estate executive[3]
- Larry Rhoden, incumbent governor (2025–present)[2]
- Running mate: Tony Venhuizen, incumbent lieutenant governor (2025–present)[4]
Eliminated in primary
- Jon Hansen, Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives (2025–present) from the 25th district (2011–2013, 2019–present)[5]
- Running mate: Karla Lems, Speaker Pro Tempore of the South Dakota House of Representatives (2025-present) from the 16th district (2023–present)[5]
- Dusty Johnson, U.S. representative from South Dakota's at-large congressional district (2019–present)[6]
Declined
- Marty Jackley, Attorney General of South Dakota (2009–2019, 2023–present)[7] (running for U.S. House)[8]
- Mike Rounds, U.S. Senator (2015–present) and former governor (2003–2011)[9] (running for re-election)[10]
- Paul TenHaken, mayor of Sioux Falls (2018–present)[11]
Endorsements
Toby Doeden
State legislators
- Steve Haugaard, former speaker of the House (2019–2021) from the 10th district (2015–2023) and candidate for this seat in 2022[12]
- Taffy Howard, state senator from the 34th district (2025–present) and former state representative from the 33rd district (2017–2023)[13]
- Phil Jensen, state representative from the 33rd district (2009–2013, 2021–present) and former state senator from the 33rd district (2013–2021)[14]
- Brandei Schaefbauer, state representative from the 3rd district (2023–present)[15]
- Logan Manhart, state representative from the 1st district (2025–present)[16]
- Bobbi Andera, state representative from the 10th district (2025–present)[17]
- John Carley, state senator from the 29th district (2025–present)[18]
Organizations
- Turning Point Action[19][n 1]
- Dakota First Action[20]
Jon Hansen
State legislators
Organizations
Dusty Johnson
Statewide officials
- Dennis Daugaard, former governor of South Dakota (2011–2019)[24]
State legislators
- 36 state senators and representatives[25]
- 77 former state senators and representatives[25]
Organizations
Larry Rhoden
State legislators
- Mike Derby, state representative from the 34th district (2021–present)[28]
- Arch Beal, state senator from the 12th district (2023–present) and former state representative from the 12th district (2015–2023)[29]
- Amber Hulse, state senator from the 30th district (2025–present)[30]
- Scott Odenbach, Majority Leader of the South Dakota House of Representatives (2025-present) from the 31st district (2021–present)[31](previously endorsed Hansen)[n 1]
- Taylor Rehfeldt, former Assistant Majority Leader of the South Dakota House of Representatives (2023-2025) from the 14th district (2021–present)[32](previously endorsed Johnson)[n 1]
Organizations
First round
Debates
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Republican | Republican | Republican | Republican |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key: P Participant I Invited W Withdrawn A Absent N Not invited |
||||||||
| Johnson | Doeden | Rhoden | Hansen | |||||
| 1 | Mar. 31, 2026 |
Keloland Nexstar Media |
Dan Santella Lauren Soulek |
KELOLAND | P | P | P | P |
| 2 | Apr. 13, 2026 |
South Dakota Public Broadcasting South Dakota News Watch |
Jackie Hendry Alexander Rifaat |
Youtube | P | P | P | P |
| 3 | Apr. 27, 2026 |
Dakota Scout Forum Communications |
Jonatahan Ellis Patrick Lalley |
Youtube | P | P | P | P |
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Toby Doeden |
Jon Hansen |
Dusty Johnson |
Larry Rhoden |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Public Sentiment Institute[36] | May 26–27 2026 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 24% | 13% | 27% | 32% | 3% |
| Meeting Street Insights (R)[37][A] | May 18–20, 2026 | 450 (LV) | ± 4.6% | 22% | 21% | 19% | 23% | 15% |
| Emerson College[38][B] | May 18–19, 2026 | 432 (LV) | ± 4.7% | 26% | 16% | 23% | 19% | 16% |
| Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy[39][C] | April 7–11, 2026 | 500 (RV) | ± 4.5% | 17% | 18% | 34% | 17% | 14% |
| Emerson College[40][B] | March 7–9, 2026 | 413 (LV) | ± 4.8% | 18% | 14% | 28% | 17% | 23% |
| Public Opinion Strategies (R)[41][D] | March 2–5, 2026 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 16% | 10% | 33% | 28% | 12% |
| Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy[42][E] | October 16–20, 2025 | 502 (RV) | ± 4.5% | 15% | 10% | 28% | 27% | 21% |
Hypothetical polling
- Larry Rhoden vs. Dusty Johnson
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Larry Rhoden |
Dusty Johnson |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Opinion Strategies (R)[41][D] | March 2–5, 2026 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 48% | 39% | 13% |
- Toby Doeden vs. Jon Hansen vs. Marty Jackley vs. Dusty Johnson vs. Larry Rhoden
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Toby Doeden |
Jon Hansen |
Marty Jackley |
Dusty Johnson |
Larry Rhoden |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy[43][E] | April 9–14, 2025 | 500 (RV) | ± 4.5% | 4% | 2% | 18% | 28% | 27% | 20% |
- Mike Rounds vs. Dusty Johnson
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Mike Rounds |
Dusty Johnson |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaplan Strategies[44] | June 12, 2023 | 500 (RV) | ± 4.7% | 25% | 25% | 50% |
Results
Doeden
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
Rhoden
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
Johnson
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
Hansen
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
As no candidate received 35% of the primary vote, a primary runoff will be held between the top two candidates. This will be first runoff ever held in the state since the adoption of a 1985 law requiring runoffs in gubernatorial and Congressional primaries when a candidate fails to receive 35% of the vote.[45]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Toby Doeden | 41,712 | 30.6 | |
| Republican | Larry Rhoden (incumbent) | 34,321 | 25.2 | |
| Republican | Dusty Johnson | 31,856 | 23.4 | |
| Republican | Jon Hansen | 28,341 | 20.8 | |
| Total votes | 136,230 | 100.0 | ||
Runoff
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Toby Doeden | |||
| Republican | Larry Rhoden (incumbent) | |||
| Total votes | 100.0 | |||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Dan Ahlers, executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party, former state senator (2008–2010), and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2020[46]
Failed to qualify
- Robert Arnold, college student[47]
Endorsements
Dan Ahlers
- Executive branch officials
- Joe Biden, 46th president of the United States (2021-2025)[48][n 1]
Independents
Candidates
Declared
- Anthony Sitter, HVAC installer[49]
Withdrawn
- Allison Renville, political organizer and Democratic candidate for South Dakota's 1st legislative district in 2018[50]
- Terry Gleason, web developer and convicted sex offender[51]
- Scott Morris, retired Air Force veteran[52]
Declined
- Rick Knobe, former mayor of Sioux Falls (1974–1984) and candidate for state senate in 2020[53]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[54] | Solid R | August 28, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[55] | Lean R | June 19, 2026 |
| RealClearPolitics[56] | Solid R | June 5, 2026 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[57] | Safe R | September 4, 2025 |
| The Cook Political Report[58] | Solid R | September 11, 2025 |
Notes
- Partisan clients
- ↑ Poll sponsored by Conservative Agenda for America
- 1 2 Poll sponsored by KELO-TV and Nexstar Media
- ↑ Poll sponsored by South Dakota News Watch and the Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota
- 1 2 Poll sponsored by Rhoden's campaign
- 1 2 Poll sponsored by South Dakota News Watch
See also
References
- ↑ "South Dakota 2026 General Election". The Green Papers. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- 1 2 3 Raza, Sara (November 18, 2025). "South Dakota governor announces he will run for a full term next year". Associated Press. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
- ↑ Haiar, Joshua (May 28, 2025). "Doeden joins race for governor with pledge to eliminate property taxes". South Dakota Searchlight. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ↑ C.J. Keene (November 18, 2025). "Gov. Larry Rhoden officially announces reelection campaign". SDPB. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
Rhoden will once again run with his current Lt. Governor; Sioux Falls Republican Tony Venhuizen.
- 1 2 Huber, Makenzie (April 25, 2025). "First candidate for governor focuses on property rights, spending and halting 'corporate welfare'". South Dakota Searchlight. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ↑ "Congressman Dusty Johnson announces he will run for Governor job". KNBN. June 30, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ↑ Tupper, Seth; Haiar, Joshua (November 12, 2024). "Trump picks South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to run Homeland Security". South Dakota Searchlight. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ↑ Dircks, Jackson (June 30, 2025). "Marty Jackley seeks South Dakota's sole US House seat". Brookings Register. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
- ↑ Santella, Dan (April 23, 2025). "Sen. Rounds looks at '25 dynamics, says no gubernatorial run in '26". KELO-TV. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
- ↑ "Mike Rounds formally announces campaign for reelection to the U.S. Senate". South Dakota Searchlight. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
- ↑ Mitchell, Trevor J. (June 3, 2025). "Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken says he does not intend to run for another office". Argus Leader. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ↑ "Former Speaker Haugaard dunks on Jon Hansen, endorses Toby Doeden. Did anyone tell him about the liquor stores?". South Dakota War College. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
- ↑ "Legislator Taffy Howard, who once skipped 14% of what taxpayers sent her to Pierre to do, endorsing Toby Doeden for Governor". South Dakota War College. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
- ↑ "Toby Doeden proudly announces he's endorsed by State Representative Phil Jensen who tried to defund Huron School District". South Dakota War College. June 9, 2025. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
- ↑ "Looks like the landlord endorsement is in from Toby's Tenant; Rep. Schaefbauer officially endorses Doeden for Gov". South Dakota War College/.
- ↑ "More legislators diving into the Doeden Dumpster. As some have a vested interest in his success". South Dakota War College. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
- ↑ "Looks like State Rep. Bobbi Andera jumped ship from 2% Hansen campaign to 4% Doeden campaign". South Dakota War College. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
- ↑ "In announcing gubernatorial bid, Doeden channels Trump; blasts career politicians, lobbyists". Aberdeen Insider. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
- ↑ "Turning Point Action Endorsements". Turning Point Action. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- ↑ "2026 endorsed candidates". Dakota First Action. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Interesting how many people are abandoning Toby, despite all the cash he dropped". South Dakota War College. May 28, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
- ↑ "Endorsements by Patriot Ripple Effect". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- ↑ "2026 America First Insight Endorsements". America First Insight. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- ↑ Haiar, Joshua (July 30, 2025). "Former governor makes an endorsement, but not for the ticket that could include his son-in-law". South Dakota Searchlight. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- 1 2 "Dusty Johnson for Governor campaign launches massive endorsement from 36 current, 77 former South Dakota lawmakers". South Dakota War College. September 25, 2025. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
- ↑ "Dusty Johnson: The Problem Solver". South Dakota News Watch. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Thank You for Supporting Pro-Israel Incumbent Members of Congress". AIPAC Political Portal. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
- ↑ Troli, Blake (August 7, 2025). "PAC formed backing Rhoden in upcoming election". KOTA-TV. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
- ↑ "Release: Strong Safe & Free PAC Launches to Support Gov. Larry Rhoden". Dakota War College. August 5, 2025.
- ↑ "State Sen. Amber Hulse in latest Rhoden Commercial". Dakota War College. May 27, 2026.
- ↑ Haiar, Joshua and Huber, Makenzie (June 5, 2026). "Where backers of losing campaigns are shifting support ahead of South Dakota's governor runoff". South Dakota Searchlight. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ Haiar, Joshua and Huber, Makenzie (June 5, 2026). "Where backers of losing campaigns are shifting support ahead of South Dakota's governor runoff". South Dakota Searchlight. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ "Endorsements by National Rifle Association". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ "NRA-PVF | Grades | South Dakota". NRA-PVF. NRA-PVF. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
- ↑ "Endorsements by Veterans for America First". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ Tellez, Lester (May 27, 2026). "TPSI - South Dakota Republican Gubernatorial Primary". TPSI Substack. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- ↑ Epp, Todd (May 23, 2026). "Virginia nonprofit's poll memo casts Dusty Johnson as fading in South Dakota GOP governor race". Northern Plains News. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
- ↑ Yost, Rae (May 21, 2026). "Doeden surpasses Johnson in latest KELOLAND/Emerson poll". Keloland. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
- ↑ Rifaat, Alexander (April 20, 2026). "Poll: Johnson widens lead in SD GOP governor race". South Dakota News Watch. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
- ↑ "South Dakota 2026 Poll: Dusty Johnson Leads Incumbent Larry Rhoden in Governor Election". Emerson College Polling. March 11, 2026. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
- 1 2 "Rhoden for Governor campaign polling memo released. Read it here". Dakota War College. March 12, 2026. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
- ↑ Killough, Kevin (October 27, 2025). "Governor poll: Rhoden, Johnson lead but Doeden, Hansen surge". South Dakota News Watch. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ↑ Whitney, Stu (April 28, 2025). "Poll: Johnson, Rhoden set pace in South Dakota governor's race". South Dakota News Watch. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ↑ Ebenhack, Phelan M. (June 12, 2023). "SD Republican voters share preferences for potential 2026 primary matchups". Dakota News Now. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
- ↑ Dircks, Jackson (June 3, 2026). "High-turnout primary forces first-ever gubernatorial runoff between Doeden, Rhoden". SDPB. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Leader of South Dakota Democratic Party announces his campaign for governor". South Dakota Searchlight. February 9, 2026. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
- ↑ "Democratic gubernatorial candidate failed to reach accepted number of valid signatures, will not appear on ballot". Dakota News Now. April 8, 2026. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
- ↑ Burns, Krista (June 5, 2026). "President Biden Endorses Dan Ahlers, Julian Beaudion, and Nikki Gronli for Governor, U.S. Senate, & U.S. House". South Dakota Democratic Party. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
- ↑ "Sitter seeking signatures for SD gubernatorial candidacy". KELO-TV. February 12, 2026. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
- ↑ "Allison Renville steps down from 2026 gubernatorial race". KELO-TV. February 27, 2026. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
- ↑ Leither, Jennifer (April 9, 2026). "After raising $0, Chamberlain man drops governor bid but wants to be presidential candidate in 2028". Mitchell Republic. Retrieved April 13, 2026.
- ↑ "Secretary of State Campaign Committee termination". South Dakota Secretary of State. April 17, 2026. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
- ↑ "No Knobe—Healthy and Viable Contender Chooses Writing and Activism over Run for Governor". Dakota Free Press. December 24, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
- ↑ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ↑ "Governor Forecast – 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ↑ "2026 Governor Races | RealClearPolitics". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
- ↑ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ↑ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
External links
Official campaign websites