- Kristi Noem (R) seeks re-election — South Dakota is rated Safe Republican (Trump won South Dakota by 30 points in 2024).
- Noem had a turbulent period nationally following controversial policy positions and her 2024 vice-presidential ambitions — her re-election remains secure in deeply conservative South Dakota.
- South Dakota's Native American reservations (comprising 35% of land area, about 9% of population) form a reliable Democratic bloc — but are insufficient to contest statewide offices.
- South Dakota's agricultural economy — particularly corn, soybeans, and cattle — means farm policy and commodity prices are central to governor's race economic debates.
South Dakota is rated Safe Republican. Kristi Noem became DHS Secretary in January 2025; Lt. Governor Tony Rhoden succeeded her. With Trump carrying South Dakota by 28 points in 2024, no Democrat is competitive statewide. The Republican base — where Rhoden's legitimacy as an appointed successor will be tested — is the only competitive race. Full governor overview →
2022 Result — Noem Re-Election
2022 South Dakota governor result. Noem defeated Democrat Jamie Smith by 14.2 points in her re-election bid. The race was considered mildly competitive given Noem's national focus and controversies, but South Dakota's Republican lean proved decisive.
Key Facts — South Dakota Governor 2026
Race Analysis
The Rise and Fall of Kristi Noem
Kristi Noem's political arc is one of the more remarkable in recent Republican politics. A former congresswoman who won the governorship in 2018, she became a national star by being among the most high-profile governors to resist COVID-19 lockdowns and mandates. South Dakota never issued a statewide mask mandate or shutdown order. She was on virtually every list of 2024 Republican presidential contenders through 2022 and early 2023. Her 2022 re-election, while comfortable at 14 points, was tighter than some expected given the state's partisan lean. Then came the memoir. The Cricket anecdote — describing shooting her 14-month-old wirehair pointer because it was untrainable — became a national story that overshadowed everything else. Her polling collapsed, she dropped presidential ambitions, and her national profile was effectively destroyed. A DHS Cabinet post under Trump offered a path back.
Tony Rhoden: The Accidental Governor
Tony Rhoden's ascent to the governorship was entirely contingent on Noem's departure. As her running mate selected for the 2022 ticket, he had no independent political profile or statewide electoral mandate. Succeeding to the governorship in early 2025, he now runs as an incumbent but without the track record a governor who won a primary and general election would normally have. Republican primary voters who feel the governorship should be earned through a competitive election may prefer a challenger with more established credentials. Rhoden's challenge is to use the incumbency to build enough name recognition and donor support to ward off serious primary opposition.
South Dakota's Political Landscape
South Dakota is one of the most consistently Republican states in the nation. It has no state income tax, a business-friendly regulatory environment, and a strong agricultural economy centered on corn, soybeans, cattle, and pork. The state has become a significant financial services hub — many national banks and credit card companies are chartered in South Dakota due to favorable usury laws. Tourism anchored by Mount Rushmore and the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally draws significant revenue. Voters passed Medicaid expansion by referendum in 2022 over legislative opposition, illustrating that South Dakota's conservatism has limits on healthcare issues where direct democracy allows voters to bypass the legislature.
Key Issues
South Dakota voters approved Medicaid expansion in 2022 by referendum despite legislative opposition. Implementation under Rhoden and managing the program's costs and federal matching funds will be a key gubernatorial task.
Farming and ranching dominate the state economy. Corn, soybeans, cattle, and hog production are central industries. Farm policy, trade, crop insurance, and rural infrastructure are key concerns for the governor and the majority of the electorate.
South Dakota is home to major national banks and credit card operations due to favorable laws. The financial services sector is a significant employer in the Sioux Falls area and a key part of the state's non-agricultural economy.
Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, Custer State Park, and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (over 500,000 annual attendees) are major economic drivers. Managing tourism growth while preserving resources is an ongoing policy balance.
South Dakota has nine federally recognized Sioux tribes. Relations between the state and tribal nations on jurisdiction, gaming, public safety, and economic development are complex and politically important in many districts.
Rural hospital viability and healthcare workforce shortages are significant challenges. The Medicaid expansion helps but rural communities still face provider recruitment challenges and service gaps in western South Dakota.
Historical Governor Results — South Dakota
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the South Dakota governor race an open seat in 2026?
Kristi Noem was confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security in Trump's second administration in January 2025. Lt. Governor Tony Rhoden automatically succeeded her as governor under state law. Rhoden, a cattle rancher and former state legislator, now runs as an incumbent in 2026 but without an independent electoral mandate. The seat is Safe Republican; South Dakota has not elected a Democrat governor since 2010.
What happened to Kristi Noem's national political career?
Noem was once a top Republican presidential contender known for her defiant COVID-19 stance and conservative governance. Her 2024 memoir included an anecdote about shooting her dog Cricket, triggering massive backlash across the political spectrum. Her national profile and presidential ambitions collapsed. She was subsequently nominated and confirmed as DHS Secretary under Trump in 2025, representing a return to national relevance in a Cabinet role rather than elected office.
Who is Tony Rhoden?
Tony Rhoden is a cattle rancher from Clark, South Dakota, who served in the state legislature before becoming Lt. Governor on Noem's 2022 ticket. He has limited statewide name recognition outside political circles. His 2026 campaign will introduce him to many South Dakota voters for the first time even as he runs as the sitting governor. He may face primary challengers who argue the governorship should be earned through a competitive election rather than appointment by succession.
