2026 South Dakota gubernatorial election
November 3, 2026
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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 primary elections will be held on June 2, 2026, and in races where no candidate receives over 50% in a primary, runoff elections will take place on July 28.[1] 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. In November 2025, Rhoden announced he would run for a full term.[2] Democrats have not won a gubernatorial election in South Dakota since 1974.
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Toby Doeden, retail and real estate executive[3]
- Jon Hansen, Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives (2025–present) from the 25th district (2011–2013, 2019–present)[4]
- Running mate: Karla Lems, state representative from the 16th district (2023–present)[4]
- Dusty Johnson, U.S. representative from South Dakota's at-large congressional district (2019–present)[5]
- Larry Rhoden, incumbent governor (2025–present)[2]
- Running mate: Tony Venhuizen, incumbent lieutenant governor (2025–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]
- Paul TenHaken, mayor of Sioux Falls (2018–present)[10]
Endorsements
Toby Doeden
- State legislators
- Phil Jensen, state representative from the 33rd district (2021–present)[11]
Dusty Johnson
- Statewide officials
- Dennis Daugaard, former governor of South Dakota (2011–2019)[12]
- State legislators
- 36 state senators and representatives[13]
- 77 former state senators and representatives[13]
Larry Rhoden
- State legislators
- Mike Derby, state representative from the 34th district (2021–present)[14]
Polling
Hypothetical polling
- Toby Doeden vs. Jon Hansen vs. Dusty Johnson vs. Larry Rhoden
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Toby Doeden |
Jon Hansen |
Dusty Johnson |
Larry Rhoden |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy[15][A] | October 16–20, 2025 | 502 (RV) | ± 4.5% | 15% | 10% | 28% | 27% | 21% |
- 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[16][B] | 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[17] | June 12, 2023 | – | – | 25% | 25% | 50% |
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Robert Arnold, college student[18]
Independents
Candidates
Declared
- Terry Gleason, web developer and convicted sex offender[19]
- Allison Renville, political organizer and Democratic candidate for South Dakota's 1st legislative district in 2018[20]
Publicly expressed interest
- Rick Knobe, former mayor of Sioux Falls (1974–1984) and candidate for state senate in 2020[21]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[22] | Solid R | September 11, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[23] | Solid R | August 28, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[24] | Safe R | September 4, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[25] | Likely R | December 3, 2025 |
Notes
- Partisan clients
See also
References
- ^ "South Dakota 2026 General Election". The Green Papers. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ Troli, Blake (August 7, 2025). "PAC formed backing Rhoden in upcoming election". KOTA-TV. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Nelson, Zach (June 7, 2025). "Pierre College Student Announced Democratic Bid For South Dakota Governor". KCCR. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ Santella, Dan (August 5, 2025). "Sex offender, Chamberlain man running for SD governor". KELO-TV. Archived from the original on September 5, 2025. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ Dausch, Dominik (October 19, 2025). "Lakota activist says she will run for SD governor as an independent". Argus Leader. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
- ^ Cory Allen Heidelberger (December 9, 2025). "Knobe Will Decide on Run for Governor by Christmas". Dakota Free Press. Retrieved December 10, 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