3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
3 candidates · ballot order · Larry Rhoden currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Property tax relief through the law he signed letting counties replace property taxes with a half-cent sales tax increase, rather than eliminating property taxes outright.
Crime reduction.
Economic development: he says roughly 85% of development dollars stay in South Dakota, citing Smithfield's Sioux Falls relocation, the CJ Schwan's food plant and Mitchell's soybean facility.
Opposing Medicaid expansion on federal debt grounds — 'When we have $40 trillion in debt in our nation, you can bet the feds are going to be kicking that down to the states.'
Keeping agriculture within the merged Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, arguing producers have the strongest interest in environmental protection.
Opposing the Trump administration's beef import decision: 'I thought he was wrongheaded in his logic, and the things that came out of that administration trying to defend it, I think, were weak.'
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Governor of South Dakota since January 2025, on Kristi Noem's departure; lieutenant governor 2019-2025; member of both chambers of the South Dakota legislature; a rancher.
Signed legislation allowing counties to replace property taxes with a half-cent sales tax increase.
Campaigns on South Dakota having the lowest unemployment rate in the country.
Finished second in the June 2 2026 Republican primary with about 25% behind Toby Doeden's 31%, then won the July 28 runoff — the state's first for governor — with about 70.8% (83,582 votes).
Endorsed by President Donald Trump in August 2026.
Publicly criticised the Trump administration's decision on beef imports.
Arguments in favor
His property tax approach gives counties a real option — replacing property taxes with a half-cent sales tax — rather than promising elimination that would leave local governments and schools short.
— Larry Rhoden for Governor campaign, in the Republican runoff
South Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate in the country, and about 85% of state development dollars stay in-state, behind projects including Smithfield's Sioux Falls relocation and Mitchell's soybean facility.
— Larry Rhoden, in the September 2026 debate
He broke with President Trump over beef imports — calling the administration's defence of it 'weak' — while still carrying the president's endorsement.
— Larry Rhoden, in the September 2026 debate
Arguments against
The governor's office favours recruiting out-of-state companies over backing local ventures — a Wakonda hemp producer ended up building elsewhere.
— Dan Ahlers, Democratic nominee, in the September 2026 debate
Rolling back expanded Medicaid would threaten rural hospitals and maternity services: 'when we have healthcare, and everyone has access to it, we all do better.'
— Dan Ahlers, Democratic nominee, in the September 2026 debate
Folding agriculture into a combined department left farmers and ranchers without their own voice in state government.
— Dan Ahlers, Democratic nominee, in the September 2026 debate
What we couldn’t verify
His official campaign website could not be verified, so no URL is listed.
How he would respond if the federal government reduced its Medicaid expansion match, the scenario he cites.
His campaign finance totals were not located.
Whether he would seek further property tax changes beyond the county option already signed.
Protecting South Dakota's expanded Medicaid — 'when we have healthcare, and everyone has access to it, we all do better' — to keep rural hospitals and maternity services open.
Restoring a standalone Department of Agriculture with its own voice in state government.
Backing local ventures rather than prioritising out-of-state recruitment in economic development.
Being 'a stronger advocate for our farmers and ranchers,' including pressing Congress over foreign beef imports.
Building a coalition around education, small business, family farms and affordable health care.
Working across party lines: 'As governor, I'll bring the same determination I've used my entire career looking for common ground, respecting differences and delivering results.'
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party; three-term former member of the South Dakota Legislature, including as a state senator.
Twelve years as president and interim administrator of the Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce.
Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in 2020, losing to Mike Rounds.
Announced his campaign for governor in early 2026 and was unopposed for the nomination.
Debated Larry Rhoden in early September 2026.
Arguments in favor
He would protect expanded Medicaid, which South Dakota voters approved by ballot measure, and which he says rural hospitals and maternity wards depend on.
— Dan Ahlers for Governor campaign
He would restore a standalone agriculture department so farmers and ranchers have their own voice in state government again.
— Dan Ahlers, in the September 2026 debate
He has spent twelve years running a chamber of commerce and three terms in the legislature, and says the job is about common ground — 'South Dakota works best when we work together.'
— Dan Ahlers for Governor campaign
Arguments against
About 85% of state economic development dollars already stay in South Dakota, and the administration has landed Smithfield's Sioux Falls relocation, the CJ Schwan's plant and Mitchell's soybean facility — the record does not match his criticism.
— Larry Rhoden, Republican nominee, in the September 2026 debate
Keeping expanded Medicaid ignores the federal debt position: 'When we have $40 trillion in debt in our nation, you can bet the feds are going to be kicking that down to the states.'
— Larry Rhoden, Republican nominee, in the September 2026 debate
Separating agriculture back out of the combined department is unnecessary, because nobody has more interest in protecting the environment than agricultural producers themselves.
— Larry Rhoden, Republican nominee, in the September 2026 debate
What we couldn’t verify
His official campaign website could not be verified, so no URL is listed.
His position on property taxes, the central issue of the Republican primary, could not be established from a source read directly.
How he would fund a standalone agriculture department.
His campaign finance totals were not located; South Dakota has not elected a Democratic governor since 1974.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Republican incumbent Larry Rhoden is seeking a full term. Roster established from Wikipedia's race page, Ballotpedia, South Dakota Searchlight, South Dakota News Watch, Mitchell Republic, KELOLAND and NBC News, cross-checked. Rhoden became governor in January 2025 when Kristi Noem left to join the Trump administration. In the June 2 2026 Republican primary no candidate reached the 35% South Dakota requires, so the state held its first ever gubernatorial primary runoff on July 28: businessman Toby Doeden had led the four-way primary with about 31% to Rhoden's 25%, ahead of U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (23%) and House Speaker Jon Hansen (21%), but Rhoden won the runoff about 70.8% to 29%. Dan Ahlers, executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party, was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. South Dakota elects governor and lieutenant governor as a joint ticket: Rhoden runs with Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen, Ahlers with Steven McCleerey. One independent, HVAC installer Anthony Sitter, also qualified; several other independents withdrew. Sitter is listed with empty argument sections — no organised advocacy for him and no criticism of him by name could be found. The two major candidates debated in early September 2026.
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