Race · November 3, 2026
Governor · South Dakota
2 candidates on the ballot.1
§1Candidates
Why this matters: Every candidate the state lists for this race on the November ballot, in the state's own order.
§2Side by side
Why this matters: The same facts for every candidate, in the same order. Where we found nothing for a candidate, the cell says so — that means we didn't find it in public sources, not that it doesn't exist.
| Fact | Larry Rhoden | Dan Ahlers |
|---|---|---|
| Party on the ballot | REP1, | DEM1 |
| Status | Incumbent | Challenger |
| Money | Candidates for governor file campaign-finance reports with the state, not the FEC, so this guide doesn't include their fundraising. Search the state's reports: Campaign finance reports search — South Dakota Secretary of State.3 | |
Issues only one candidate has addressed
By candidate, in ballot order. We found nothing public from the other candidates in this race on these issues.
Larry Rhoden — 6 issues
- Abortion medicationHis campaign website lists stopping abortion pills from coming into South Dakota among his accomplishments.4
- Foreign ownership of farmlandHis campaign website says he helped ban Chinese purchases of American agricultural land.4
- Vouchers and education savings accountsHis campaign website lists opting South Dakota into the federal school choice program among his accomplishments.4
- Rules for gun accessories and partsHis campaign website says he made South Dakota the first state to eliminate suppressor regulations.4
- State and local role in immigration enforcementHis campaign website lists banning sanctuary cities and signing agreements with ICE for the Highway Patrol and Department of Corrections among his accomplishments.4
- Property taxesHis campaign website lists among his accomplishments what it calls the largest property tax cut in state history, reducing property taxes by 25% to 45% depending on the county.4
Dan Ahlers — 5 issues
- State K-12 school fundingHis campaign website says he would invest heavily in public education, recruit and keep teachers, strengthen rural schools and invest in school buildings.5
- Child care costsHis campaign website says he would expand access to early childhood education and child care.5
- Zoning and new housingHis campaign website says he would support local solutions to increase housing and work with state and local leaders to reduce barriers to responsible housing development.5
- Rules for citizen ballot measuresHis campaign website criticizes state leaders for working to undo voter-approved ballot measures and for making it harder to get issues on the ballot.6
- High-speed internet accessHis campaign website says he would modernize roads, bridges and broadband to keep rural communities connected.5
Issue statements are drafted by AI from the public sources cited, and only cover what each candidate has said publicly.