South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden is in the fight of his political life as he faces a crowded Republican primary field on Tuesday, including a sitting congressman and the state House speaker. The contest marks Rhoden’s first electoral test since he assumed the governorship following Kristi Noem’s departure to join the Trump administration as Homeland Security Secretary.
Rhoden, who served as lieutenant governor before Noem’s exit, is now defending his seat against a slate of GOP challengers that includes Representative Dusty Johnson and South Dakota House Speaker Jon Hansen. The primary is widely seen as a referendum on Rhoden’s brief tenure and his ability to unite a fractured party base.
Johnson, a three-term congressman, has emphasized his Washington experience and ties to the Trump wing of the party. Hansen, meanwhile, has positioned himself as a conservative reformer, focusing on fiscal discipline and limited government. Both have hammered Rhoden on issues ranging from spending to transparency, making the race one of the most closely watched in the state.
On the Democratic side, state party chair Daniel Ahlers is the presumptive nominee. Ahlers has run a low-key campaign but hopes to capitalize on any GOP infighting. He has called for expanded healthcare access and investments in rural infrastructure, though South Dakota’s deep red tilt makes a general election win a long shot.
Polls close at 8 p.m. EDT, and Decision Desk HQ will provide live results throughout the night. The outcome will set the stage for a general election contest that could test Democratic gains in conservative states.
In related primaries, the race to replace Johnson in the U.S. House has drawn significant interest, with state Attorney General Marty Jackley leading the GOP field. The open seat has attracted multiple candidates eager to fill the vacancy created by Johnson’s gubernatorial bid.
Political analysts note that Rhoden’s path to victory depends on consolidating support from the party establishment while fending off attacks from his right flank. The governor has touted his record on job creation and tax relief, but challengers argue that he has failed to deliver on key conservative priorities.
Voter turnout is expected to be moderate, though the competitive nature of the GOP primary could drive higher-than-usual participation. Early reports from polling places suggest a steady stream of voters in both urban and rural areas.
For more coverage on tonight’s primaries, including races in Iowa and New Mexico, see The Hill's Decision Desk 2026: Live Primary Results from Six States Tonight. Also, check out our analysis of the open House seat race.
