South Dakota Governor

2 candidates · General election, November 3, 2026

What this office does

The state's chief executive. Signs or vetoes bills passed by the legislature, proposes the state budget, runs state agencies, appoints many officials and judges, commands the National Guard, and can grant pardons. Usually a 4-year term.

Candidates

Larry RhodenIncumbent

Republican · 15 endorsements listed
Moderately right · from their state-legislature votes (Shor–McCarty)

Dan Ahlers

Democrat · 1 endorsement listed
Center · from their state-legislature votes (Shor–McCarty)

Minor-party, independent and write-in candidates may also be on your ballot.

Filled dots are published academic scores; hollow dots are AI estimates from the candidate's own public record. How placements work.

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