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      Data: MIT Election Lab, VEST, Census Bureau
      Home/Elections/2026/Governor/South Dakota
      2026 ForecastSafe R
      2026·Governor·South Dakota

      South Dakota Governor

      Incumbent
      RLarry Rhoden

      Race Analysis

      Analysis coming soon.

      Updated 2026-02-18

      Candidates & Primaries

      Democratic Candidates

      TBDDRumored

      No major Dem challenger expected

      Republican Candidates

      Larry RhodenRIncumbent

      Governor of South Dakota since 2025

      10W-0L10 races
      Full profile →

      State Demographics

      South Dakota vs. National · Pop. 907K

      White (non-Hispanic)79.8%
      National: 57.4%
      Black2.3%
      National: 12.2%
      Hispanic/Latino4.8%
      National: 19.3%
      Asian1.4%
      National: 6.0%
      College Degree31.9%
      National: 35.6%
      Median Income$75,136
      National: $83,960
      Median Age38.2
      National: 39.1

      Seat History

      Governor in South Dakota

      2022
      Kristi L NoemREP
      R+26.8
      2018
      Kristi L NoemREP
      R+3.5
      2014
      Dennis DaugaardREP
      R+45.0
      2010
      Dennis DaugaardREP
      R+23.0
      2006
      Michael RoundsREP
      R+25.6
      2002
      Michael RoundsREP
      R+14.8
      1998
      William J JanklowREP
      R+31.2
      1994
      William J JanklowREP
      R+14.8
      1990
      George S MickelsonREP
      R+17.8
      1986
      George S MickelsonREP
      R+3.6
      1982
      William J JanklowREP
      R+41.8
      1978
      William J JanklowREP
      R+13.3
      1974
      Richard Francis KneipDEM
      D+7.2
      1972
      Richard Francis KneipDEM
      D+20.1
      1970
      Richard Francis KneipDEM
      D+9.7
      View all Governor history for South Dakota →

      Also in South Dakota, 2026

      U.S. Senate
      Safe R      ← 2026 Forecast Overview
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