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. Incumbent Republican Governor Kristi Noem is expected to resign if confirmed by the US Senate for the position of Secretary of Homeland Security.[1] Even before the pending nomination, Noem was term-limited and thus ineligible to seek a third consecutive term.
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Potential
[edit]- Marty Jackley, South Dakota Attorney General (2009–2019, 2023–present) and candidate for governor in 2018[2]
- Dusty Johnson, U.S. representative for South Dakota's at-large congressional district (2019–present)[3]
- Russell Olson, former Majority Leader of the South Dakota Senate (2013) from the 8th district (2009–2013)[3]
- Larry Rhoden, incumbent lieutenant governor (2019–present)[3]
- Mike Rounds, U.S. senator (2015–present) and former governor (2003–2011)[4]
- Paul TenHaken, mayor of Sioux Falls (2018–present)[3]
Polling
[edit]Hypothetical polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Mike Rounds |
Dusty Johnson |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaplan | June 12, 2023 | ± | 25% | 25% | 50% |
General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| 270toWin[5] | Safe R | January 5, 2025 |
| The Cook Political Report[6] | Solid R | January 23, 2025 |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/12/politics/kristi-noem-homeland-security-secretary/index.html
- ^ Hendry, Jackie; Koester, Ellen; Jungemann, Ari (June 14, 2023). "Cabinet shakeups & more state political news". South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "SD Republican voters share preferences for potential 2026 primary matchups". Dakota News Now. June 12, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
- ^ Strubinger, Lee (April 14, 2023). "Rounds discusses potential bid for governor in 2026". SDPB. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
- ^ "2025-26 Gubernatorial Elections Map". 270toWin. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.