South Dakota gubernatorial race heats up

South Dakota gubernatorial race heats up

(PIERRE, SD)  —  With the first ticket in for South Dakota’s 2026 Governor’s race, there’s still plenty left to be determined as far as other possible candidates. Earlier this week, Republican U.S. Senator Mike Rounds confirmed it won’t be happening but noted he seriously considered a run because “it’s the greatest job in the world.”  However, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson did not give away any indication when asked this week if he will give…

Hansen launches campaign for South Dakota governor

Dissatisfaction with the “status quo” is driving Jon Hansen and Karla Lems to run for South Dakota governor and lieutenant governor, they said.

First candidate for governor focuses on property rights, spending and halting ‘corporate welfare’ • South Dakota Searchlight

Reps. Jon Hansen, R-Dell Rapids, left, and Karla Lems, R-Canton, kick off their campaign for governor and lieutenant governor on April 24, 2025, at the Military Heritage Alliance in Sioux Falls. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)Dissatisfaction with the “status quo” is driving Jon Hansen and Karla Lems to run for South Dakota governor and lieutenant governor, they said. The pair officially announced their 2026 campaign to hundreds of supp…

First candidate for governor focuses on property rights, spending and halting ‘corporate welfare’

Dissatisfaction with the “status quo” is driving Jon Hansen and Karla Lems to run for South Dakota governor and lieutenant governor, they said. The pair officially announced their 2026 campaign to hundreds of supporters Thursday at the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance in Sioux Falls. The crowd included property rights advocates against eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipelines, “election integrity” activists and over a dozen Republican …

Can populist GOP overcome South Dakota history?

S.D. House Speaker Jon Hansen announces his bid for governor April 24, 2025 at the Military Heritage Alliance in Sioux Falls. (Jonathan Ellis/The Dakota Scout)The 2026 race for South Dakota governor officially began Thursday night, with House Speaker Jon Hansen and Speaker Pro Tempore Karla Lems launching a joint campaign in Sioux Falls — a campaign that will test the strength of an ascendant wing of the Republican Party.Their announcement sets …