South Dakota gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2026
|
← 2022
|
| Governor and Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota |
|---|
 |
| Democratic primary Republican primary General election |
| Election details |
| Filing deadline: March 31, 2026 |
| Primary: June 2, 2026 Democratic Convention: June 6, 2026 Republican Convention: June 27, 2026 Libertarian Convention: May 2, 2026 Primary runoff: July 28, 2026 General: November 3, 2026 |
| How to vote |
| Poll times:
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Race ratings |
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Republican Inside Elections: Solid Republican |
| Ballotpedia analysis |
| Federal and state primary competitiveness State executive elections in 2026 Impact of term limits in 2026 State government trifectas State government triplexes Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026 |
| South Dakota executive elections |
| Governor Lieutenant Governor |
South Dakota is holding an election for governor and lieutenant governor on November 3, 2026. The primary is June 2, 2026. The filing deadline is March 31, 2026.
In South Dakota, the gubernatorial nominee is selected in the primary. The gubernatorial nominee then chooses a lieutenant gubernatorial running mate, and they run together on a single ticket in the general election. In South Dakota, political parties select their state executive candidates at conventions rather than through primaries, with the governor being the only exception. The state Democratic Party is holding its convention on June 6. The state Republican Party is holding its convention on June 27. The state Libertarian Party is holding its convention on May 2.
For more information about the primaries in this election, click on the links below:
- South Dakota gubernatorial election, 2026 (June 2 Democratic primary)
- South Dakota gubernatorial election, 2026 (June 2 Republican primary)
- South Dakota lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2026 (June 6 Democratic convention)
- South Dakota lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2026 (June 27 Republican convention)
Candidates and election results
Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:
- Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
- Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies
June 2, 2026, Republican gubernatorial primary
Ballotpedia identified the June 2, 2026, Republican primary as a battleground primary. For more on the Republican primary, click here. For more on the Democratic primary, click here.
Incumbent Larry Rhoden, Toby Doeden, Jon Hansen, and Dusty Johnson are running in the Republican primary for governor of South Dakota on June 2, 2026. If no candidate wins 35% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will advance to a July 28, 2026, runoff election.
Rhoden was formerly lieutenant governor and replaced former Gov. Kristi Noem (R) on January 25, 2025, when Noem became the secretary of homeland security under Donald Trump (R).[1] South Dakota Searchlight's editor-in-chief Seth Tupper said: "[P]eople are viewing this as an open seat. Kristi Noem resigned, and yes, the Lieutenant Governor came in and you could call him an incumbent, sort of, not really, but kind of. ... And I think a lot of people underestimated Governor Rhoden's ability to campaign for this seat. ... [B]ut I don't think it caused anybody to say, oh, I'm not going to run now, because open seats don't come along very often, obviously, in South Dakota Republican politics."[2]
Rhoden is the governor of South Dakota. He says, "I want to keep South Dakota strong – strong families, strong businesses, and strong institutions. I want to keep South Dakota safe – with low crime and respect for law enforcement. And I want to keep South Dakota free – freedom will continue to be our calling card as long as I am governor."[3]
Doeden is a car dealership and rental property owner.[4] He says, "As governor, I will stop the reckless spending and fight back against crushing property taxes so everyone can own a home, and work with President Trump to round up illegal immigrants and get deadly drugs off our streets."[5]
Hansen is the speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives and a lawyer.[4] He says, "As Governor, [I] will lower your property taxes, root out corruption, stop wasteful government spending, preserve the South Dakota way of life, and keep South Dakota free, safe, and sane."[6]
Johnson represents South Dakota's At-Large Congressional District. He says, "It’s time for a new chapter—a chapter that drives South Dakota to a brighter future where we build better schools and safer communities, a chapter that governs with conservative principles to create new jobs, new businesses, and new opportunities in every community, and a chapter where being a workhorse, not a show horse, still means something."[7]
Property taxes are a major campaign issue setting the candidates apart. Both Rhoden and Johnson, who present as moderate Republicans according to University of South Dakota professor Julia Hellwege, propose reforms to the system.[4] Rhoden suggests that counties could decide on replacing property taxes with a half-cent sales tax increase.[8] Johnson's proposal would exempt first-time homebuyers from paying property taxes for two years and provide a $400 property tax credit to owner-occupied properties via a planned increase in the statewide sales tax.[8] Hansen, who belongs to the populist branch of the Republican Party, also proposes a property tax relief program for owner-occupied single-family dwellings via the increased statewide sales tax.[9][10][11] Doeden wants to immediately eliminate property taxes.[8] According to Hellwege, Doeden is running a populist campaign and describes himself as a political outsider, which could possibly shift the other candidates rightward on this and other issues.[4][12]
In South Dakota, the gubernatorial nominee is selected in the primary. The gubernatorial nominee then chooses a lieutenant gubernatorial running mate, and they run together on a single ticket in the general election.
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: Yes
Political Office:
- Governor of South Dakota (Assumed office: 2025)
- Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota (2019-2025)
- South Dakota House of Representatives, District 29 (2017-2019)
- South Dakota State Senate, District 29 (2009-2015)
- South Dakota House of Representatives, District 29 (2001-2009)
Biography: Following his graduation from high school at Sunshine Bible Academy in 1977, Rhoden joined the South Dakota National Guard, serving for six years. Rhoden's work experience included welding and operating a ranch.
Show sources
Sources: Larry Rhoden 2026 campaign website, "About," accessed March 2, 2026, South Dakota News Watch, "Assessing SD gubernatorial candidates' property tax proposals," February 9, 2026, Larry Rhoden 2026 campaign website, "Home," accessed March 2, 2026; South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden, "About," accessed March 2, 2026
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Biography: Doeden graduated from Groton High School in 1993. As of the election, he was a car dealership and rental property owner.
Show sources
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
- South Dakota House of Representatives, District 25 (Assumed office: 2019)
- South Dakota House of Representatives, District 25 (2011-2015)
Biography: Hansen received a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Sioux Falls in 2013 and a J.D. from the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law in 2016. As of the election, Hansen was a lawyer and speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives.
Show sources
Sources: Jon Hansen 2026 campaign website, "Home," accessed March 3, 2026, KELOLAND, "Property taxes and SD’s 2026 GOP gubernatorial race," November 21, 2025, South Dakota Searchlight, "First candidate for governor focuses on property rights, spending and halting ‘corporate welfare’," April 24, 2025, KELOLAND, "Hansen wants to use sales tax for property-tax relief," March 2, 2026; LinkedIn, "Jon Hansen," accessed March 3, 2026
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
- United States House of Representatives, South Dakota's At-Large Congressional District (Assumed office: 2019)
- South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (2005-2011)
Biography: Johnson received a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of South Dakota in 1999 and an M.P.A. from the University of Kansas in 2002. Before his election to the U.S. House, Johnson was a business executive and co-owner of a telecommunications engineering firm.
Show sources
Sources: Dusty Johnson 2026 campaign website, "Meet Dusty," accessed March 3, 2026, KELOLAND, "Property taxes and SD’s 2026 GOP gubernatorial race," November 21, 2025, South Dakota News Watch, "Assessing SD gubernatorial candidates' property tax proposals," February 9, 2026, NewsCenter1, "Congressman Dusty Johnson announces he will run for governor job," June 30, 2025; Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "JOHNSON, Dustin (Dusty)," accessed March 3, 2026, South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, "Speakers," accessed March 3, 2026, Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, "Twenty-Eight-Year-Old Dusty Johnson State GOP's Newest Face," December 4, 2004
Recent updates
This section includes a timeline of events leading up to the election, such as debates, polls, and noteworthy endorsements. Know of something we missed? Let us know.
- Oct. 27, 2025
- April 28, 2025
See more
- See more here: Republican Party battleground primaries, 2026
Governor
General election
The primary will occur on June 2, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary.
General election for Governor of South Dakota
Terry Gleason and Allison Renville are running in the general election for Governor of South Dakota on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Terry Gleason (Independent) | ||
| Allison Renville (Independent) | ||
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of South Dakota
Dan Ahlers and Robert Arnold are running in the Democratic primary for Governor of South Dakota on June 2, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Dan Ahlers | |
 | Robert Arnold | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of South Dakota
Incumbent Larry Rhoden, Toby Doeden, Jon Hansen, and Dusty Johnson are running in the Republican primary for Governor of South Dakota on June 2, 2026.
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Lieutenant Governor
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota
Karla Lems is running in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Karla Lems (R) | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
No candidate in this race has completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Ballotpedia is seeking 100 percent participation so voters can learn more about all the candidates on their ballots.
Voting information
- See also: Voting in South Dakota
General election race ratings
- See also: Race rating definitions and methods
Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:
- Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
- Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
- Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[15]
- Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.
Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[16][17][18]
| Race ratings: South Dakota gubernatorial election, 2026 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race tracker | Race ratings | ||||||||
| 3/10/2026 | 3/3/2026 | 2/24/2026 | 2/17/2026 | ||||||
| The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | |||||
| Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | |||||
| Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe Republican | Safe Republican | Safe Republican | Safe Republican | |||||
| Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week. | |||||||||
Past elections
The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2014.
2022
General election
General election for Governor of South Dakota
Incumbent Kristi L. Noem defeated Jamie Smith and Tracey Quint in the general election for Governor of South Dakota on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Kristi L. Noem (R) | 62.0 | 217,035 |
 | Jamie Smith (D) | 35.2 | 123,148 | |
 | Tracey Quint (L) | 2.9 | 9,983 | |
| Total votes: 350,166 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Lora Hubbel (Independent)
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Jamie Smith advanced from the Democratic primary for Governor of South Dakota.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Barry Hulse (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of South Dakota
Incumbent Kristi L. Noem defeated Steven Haugaard in the Republican primary for Governor of South Dakota on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kristi L. Noem | 76.4 | 91,661 |
 | Steven Haugaard | 23.6 | 28,315 | |
| Total votes: 119,976 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Governor of South Dakota
Tracey Quint advanced from the Libertarian convention for Governor of South Dakota on April 23, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Tracey Quint (L) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
General election
General election for Governor of South Dakota
Kristi L. Noem defeated Billie Sutton and Kurt Evans in the general election for Governor of South Dakota on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kristi L. Noem (R) | 51.0 | 172,912 |
 | Billie Sutton (D) | 47.6 | 161,454 | |
 | Kurt Evans (L) | 1.4 | 4,848 | |
| Total votes: 339,214 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- CJ Abernathey (L)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of South Dakota
Billie Sutton advanced from the Democratic primary for Governor of South Dakota on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Billie Sutton |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of South Dakota
Kristi L. Noem defeated Marty J. Jackley in the Republican primary for Governor of South Dakota on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kristi L. Noem | 56.0 | 57,598 |
 | Marty J. Jackley | 44.0 | 45,174 | |
| Total votes: 102,772 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
2014
Republican incumbent Dennis Daugaard won re-election on November 4, 2014.
| Governor and Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Dennis Daugaard/Matthew Michels Incumbent |
70.5% | 195,477 | |
| Democratic | Susan Wismer/Susan Blake | 25.4% | 70,549 | |
| Indpendent | Mike Myers/Lora Hubbel | 4.1% | 11,377 | |
| Total Votes | 277,403 | |||
| Election results via South Dakota Secretary of State | ||||
See also
| South Dakota | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- Governor of South Dakota official website
- Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota official website
Footnotes
- ↑ Department of Homeland Security, "Secretary of Homeland Security," accessed March 1, 2025
- ↑ SDPB Radio, "Analysis: Early 2026 gubernatorial announcements sees similar candidates," June 12, 2025
- ↑ Larry Rhoden 2026 campaign website, "Home," accessed March 2, 2026
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 South Dakota News Watch, "Governor poll: Rhoden, Johnson lead but Doeden, Hansen surge," October 27, 2025
- ↑ YouTube, "A Governor For The People | Toby Doeden for South Dakota," May 29, 2025
- ↑ Hansen 2026 campaign website, "Home," accessed March 2, 2026
- ↑ Dakota News Now, "Rep. Dusty Johnson announces bid for South Dakota Governor," June 30, 2025
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 South Dakota News Watch, "Assessing SD gubernatorial candidates' property tax proposals," February 9, 2026
- ↑ The Dakota Scout, "Can populist GOP overcome South Dakota history?" April 25, 2025
- ↑ Sioux Falls Live, "South Dakota House Speaker will seek GOP nomination for governor," April 17, 2025
- ↑ KELOLAND, "Hansen wants to use sales tax for property-tax relief," March 2, 2026
- ↑ Dakota News Now, "Gubernatorial race to take center stage in the new year," January 2, 2026
- ↑ South Dakota News Watch, "Poll: Johnson, Rhoden set pace in South Dakota governor's race," April 28, 2025
- ↑ KOTA Territory, "Governor poll: Rhoden, Johnson lead but Doeden, Hansen surge," October 27, 2025
- ↑ Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
