Governor

Runoff election·2026-07-28·Contested

Republican Runoff

2 candidates

RepublicanIncumbent

Current Governor of South Dakota, assumed office in 2025 after Kristi Noem resigned to lead DHS. Running for first full term.

Republican

Aberdeen businessman and conservative PAC leader. Pledges to eliminate property taxes and reject governor salary.

Judge temporarily blocks South Dakota’s abortion-pill advertising ban as lawsuit continues
South Dakota Searchlight· Jul 17
A federal court's blocking of a state law that Rhoden's administration is defending reflects on his gubernatorial record and policies as the named defendant in the lawsuit.
Amid criticism, candidate spokesperson says property tax elimination plan is only for homeowners
South Dakota Searchlight· Jul 17
The story directly examines Toby Doeden's property tax elimination campaign pledge and his campaign's clarification about its scope in response to public criticism.
Toby Doeden: A bitcoin evangelist and anti-property-tax crusader who wants to be governor
South Dakota Searchlight· Jul 16
Story profiles Toby Doeden's background, policy positions, and his campaign for the gubernatorial office.

South Dakota Searchlight stories are republished-linkable under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (States Newsroom).

Governor's Record

Larry Rhoden — 2025–2026 sessions

451

Bills Signed

Bills Vetoed

require the licensure of non-medical home care agencies, and to provide a penalty therefor.

2026-03-30

consider a cultivated-protein food product to be adulterated food.

2026-02-10

Modify the signature requirement for a petition to initiate a constitutional amendment.

2025-03-31

Establish provisions for eligibility in the child care assistance program for certain child care employees.

2025-03-13