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 already publicly expressed interest in doing so.
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Jon Hansen, Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives (2025–present) from the 25th district (2011–2013, 2019–present)[1]
- Running mate: Karla Lems, state representative from the 16th district (2023–present)[1]
Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Toby Doeden, investment group president[2]
- Marty Jackley, South Dakota Attorney General (2009–2019, 2023–present) and candidate for governor in 2018[3][2]
- Dusty Johnson, U.S. representative from South Dakota's at-large congressional district (2019–present)[4][2]
- Larry Rhoden, incumbent governor (2025–present)[5][2]
Potential
[edit]- Tony Venhuizen, Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota (2025–present) and son-in-law of former governor Dennis Daugaard[6]
Declined
[edit]- Mike Rounds, U.S. Senator (2015–present) and former governor (2003–2011)[7]
Polling
[edit]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[8][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[9] | June 12, 2023 | – | – | 25% | 25% | 50% |
General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[10] | Solid R | January 23, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[11] | Solid R | February 6, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[12] | Solid R | May 1, 2025 |
Notes
[edit]- Partisan clients
- ^ Poll sponsored by South Dakota News Watch
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d 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 (November 12, 2024). "Trump picks South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to run Homeland Security". South Dakota Searchlight. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ Heemstra, Jody (February 20, 2025). "Dusty Johnson expects to run for Governor of South Dakota in 2026, but don't expect a formal announcement anytime soon". KPLO-FM. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ Yost, Rae (February 7, 2025). "Rhoden takes step to possibly run for Governor". KELO-TV. Retrieved February 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.
- ^ Santella, Dan (April 23, 2025). "Sen. Rounds looks at '25 dynamics, says no gubernatorial run in '26". KELO-TV. Retrieved April 23, 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.
- ^ "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.