2026 South Dakota gubernatorial election
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| 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 incumbent is Republican Larry Rhoden, who was elevated to the governorship in 2025 after his predecessor, Kristi Noem (who was already ineligible to run in the 2026 election due to term-limits), resigned to become U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. Rhoden had previously been serving as lieutenant governor under Noem since the two took office in 2019. Rhoden has yet to announce whether he intends to run for a full term in office though has publicly expressed interest in doing so.
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Toby Doeden, retail and real estate executive[1]
- Jon Hansen, Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives (2025–present) from the 25th district (2011–2013, 2019–present)[2]
- Running mate: Karla Lems, state representative from the 16th district (2023–present)[2]
- Dusty Johnson, U.S. representative from South Dakota's at-large congressional district (2019–present)[3]
Publicly expressed interest
- Larry Rhoden, incumbent governor (2025–present)[4][5]
Potential
- Tony Venhuizen, Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota (2025–present) and son-in-law of former governor Dennis Daugaard[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]
- Paul TenHaken, mayor of Sioux Falls (2018–present)[10]
Endorsements
Dusty Johnson
- Statewide officials
- Dennis Daugaard, former governor of South Dakota (2011–2019)[11]
Polling
Hypothetical polling
- 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[12][A] | 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[13] | June 12, 2023 | – | – | 25% | 25% | 50% |
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Robert Arnold, college student[14]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[15] | Solid R | January 23, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[16] | Solid R | February 6, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[17] | Safe R | May 1, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[18] | Safe R | June 30, 2025 |
Notes
- Partisan clients
- ^ Poll sponsored by South Dakota News Watch
See also
References
- ^ Haiar, Joshua (May 28, 2025). "Doeden joins race for governor with pledge to eliminate property taxes". South Dakota Searchlight. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Yost, Rae (February 7, 2025). "Rhoden takes step to possibly run for Governor". KELO-TV. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (April 7, 2025). "Morning Digest: North Carolina GOP comes 'one step closer to stealing an election'". Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ Tupper, Seth; Haiar, Joshua (January 29, 2025). "Sioux Falls legislator Tony Venhuizen is Rhoden's pick for SD lieutenant governor". South Dakota Searchlight. Retrieved March 29, 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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". South Dakota Searchlight. Retrieved July 2, 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.
- ^ Nelson, Zach (June 7, 2025). "Pierre College Student Announced Democratic Bid For South Dakota Governor". KCCR. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
External links
Official campaign websites