South Dakota Candidate & Election Guide
Federal and statewide candidates, elections, state political parties, news sites, and other resources — no frills, just what you need — curated by Politics1 publisher Ron Gunzburger.
Governor
(Governor & Lt. Governor candidates run together on tickets in the General Election.)
Larry Rhoden (R)* - (Campaign Site)
& Tony Venhuizen (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Dan Ahlers (D) - Ex-State Sen., Ex-State Rep., SDDEM Exec Director & '20 US Sen Nominee
& Steven McCleerey (D) - Ex-State Rep. & Farmer
Next State Constitutional Officer Elections in 2026.
Secretary of State
[ Monae Johnson (R)* - Lost for renomination in 2026. ]
Heather Baxter (R) - State Rep. & Businesswoman
Terrence Davis (D) - Doctoral Student & Ex-Police Officer
Tamara Lesnar (L) - Jewelry Maker, '24 St Rep Nominee & '22 US Sen Nominee
Attorney General
[ Marty Jackley (R)* - Candidate for Congress in 2026. ]
Lance Russell (R) - Fall River State's Attorney, Ex-State Sen, Ex-State Rep & '18 Candidate
State Auditorr
[ Rich Sattgast (R)* - Term-Limited in 2026. ]
Catherine Barranco (R) - Business Consultant & GOP Activist
Tom Cool (D) - Nonprofit Executive, Democratic Activist & Frequent Candidate
State Treasurer
[ Josh Haeder (R)* - Term-Limited in 2026. ]
Melissa Hull (R) - State Treasury Manager
Margaret Kuipers (D) - Healhcare Worker & '22 St Rep Nominee
STATE COMMISSIONER OF SCHOOL & PUBLIC LAND
Brock Greenfield (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Raeann Mettler (D) - Educator & Public Health Research Specialist
STATE LEGISLATURE
U.S. Senator
SENATE ELECTION 2026:
Mike Rounds (R)* - (Campaign
Site)
Brian Bengs (I) - Attorney, Retired USAF Lt Colonel, Ex-Democrat & '22 US Sen Candidate
SENATE ELECTION 2028:
John
Thune (R)* - (Senate Leadership Site) - (Campaign
Site)
U.S. House
At-Large
[ Dusty Johnson (R)* - Lost primary for Governor in 2026. ]
Marty Jackley (R) - Attorney General & Ex-US Attorney
Nikki Gronli (D) - Ex-USDA Official, Ex-State Democratic Vice Chair & Marketing Consultant
Political Parties
South Dakota Democratic Party (D)
South Dakota Libertarian Party (L)
South Dakota Republican Party (R)
Independent (I)
Write-In (WI)
State Election Office
State News Sources
Aberdeen
American News
Black Hills
Pioneer
Brookings Register
Dakota Free Press (Liberal)
Dakota War College (Conservative)
Huron Plainsman
Lakota Times (Native American)
Madison Daily Leader
Mitchell Daily Republic
Native Sun News (Native American)
Pierre Capitol-Journal
Rapid City Journal
Sioux Falls Argus Leader
South Dakota
Ag Connection
South Dakota News Watch
South Dakota Searchlight
Tea Weekly
Watertown Public Opinion
South Dakota Public Broadcasting (PBS / NPR)
KEVN TV-7 (FOX - Rapid
City)
KNBN TV-21 (NBC - Rapid
City)
KOTA TV-3 (ABC - Rapid City)
KDLT TV-46 (NBC - Sioux Falls) / KSFY TV-13 (ABC - Sioux Falls)
KELO TV-11 (CBS - Sioux Falls)
KELO 1320 AM (Sioux Falls)