The 2026 South Dakota gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of South Dakota. The primary elections were held on June 2, 2026, and since no candidate received over 35% in the Republican primary, a runoff election was held on July 28.
Incumbent Republican Larry Rhoden, who ascended to the office of governor in 2025 after Kristi Noem resigned to become secretary of homeland security, won his first full term in office. Rhoden had previously been serving as lieutenant governor under Noem since the two took office in 2019. Democrats have not won a gubernatorial election in South Dakota since 1974 and have not held the office since Harvey Wollman left office in 1979.
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Larry Rhoden, incumbent governor (2025–present)
- Running mate: Tony Venhuizen, incumbent lieutenant governor (2025–present)
Eliminated in runoff
- Toby Doeden, retail and real estate executive
Eliminated in primary
- Jon Hansen, Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives (2025–present) from the 25th district (2011–2013, 2019–present)
- Running mate: Karla Lems, Speaker Pro Tempore of the South Dakota House of Representatives (2025-present) from the 16th district (2023–present)
- Dusty Johnson, U.S. representative from South Dakota's at-large congressional district (2019–present)
Declined
- Marty Jackley, Attorney General of South Dakota (2009–2019, 2023–present) (running for U.S. House)
- Mike Rounds, U.S. Senator (2015–present) and former governor (2003–2011) (running for re-election)
- Paul TenHaken, mayor of Sioux Falls (2018–2026)
First round
Endorsements
Toby Doeden
State legislators
- Steve Haugaard, former speaker of the House (2019–2021) from the 10th district (2015–2023) and candidate for this seat in 2022
- Taffy Howard, state senator from the 34th district (2025–present) and former state representative from the 33rd district (2017–2023)
- Phil Jensen, state representative from the 33rd district (2009–2013, 2021–present) and former state senator from the 33rd district (2013–2021)
- Brandei Schaefbauer, state representative from the 3rd district (2023–present)
- Logan Manhart, state representative from the 1st district (2025–present)
- Bobbi Andera, state representative from the 10th district (2025–present)
- John Carley, state senator from the 29th district (2025–present)
Organizations
Larry Rhoden
Results
As no candidate received 35% of the primary vote, a primary runoff was held between the top two candidates on July 28th, 2026. This was the first runoff ever held in the state since the adoption of a 1985 law that established runoffs for gubernatorial and Congressional primaries.
Runoff
Endorsements
Toby Doeden
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Dan Ahlers, executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party, former state senator (2008–2010), and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2020
- Running mate: Steven McCleerey, former state representative from the 1st district (2015–2021)
Failed to qualify
- Robert Arnold, college student
Independents
Candidates
Withdrawn
- Allison Renville, political organizer and Democratic candidate for South Dakota's 1st legislative district in 2018
- Terry Gleason, web developer and convicted sex offender
- Scott Morris, retired Air Force veteran
- Anthony Sitter, HVAC installer
Declined
- Rick Knobe, former mayor of Sioux Falls (1974–1984) and candidate for state senate in 2020
General election
Post-primary endorsements
Larry Rhoden (R)
Dan Ahlers (D)