The Ballot Brief › South Dakota › Larry Rhoden
Larry Rhoden
R · South Dakota · 2026 · IncumbentLarry Rhoden is South Dakota's incumbent governor and the Republican nominee for a full term, winning the state's first-ever gubernatorial primary runoff on July 28 with about 71% of the vote over Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden. A rancher and former lieutenant governor from Meade County, he became governor in January 2025 when Kristi Noem joined the federal cabinet, and faces Democrat Dan Ahlers in the November 3 general.
Priorities
- Keep South Dakota's budget balanced and taxes low
- Support agriculture, ranching, and property rights
- Continue steady, experienced conservative leadership
On the ballot
Governor · South Dakota · 2026
Profile facts follow official election office filings and the sources cited in each biography. Official sources are the final word on who appears on your ballot.