South Dakota Governor Race: Which Party Wins in 2026

Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden and Democratic challenger Dan Ahlers met for their first debate as party nominees, held at the South Dakota State Fair and hosted by the South Dakota Farmers Union. Both criticized President Trump's move to import more foreign beef, a step Trump said would lower consumer prices and let ranchers rebuild herds after historic lows, but which drew swift backlash from cattle producers. Rhoden called the decision "wrongheaded" despite Trump's endorsement of his campaign, and said he would push USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to form an advisory committee to better inform the president. Ahlers said South Dakota must more aggressively advocate for farmers and ranchers.

The candidates split on other issues: economic development spending priorities, whether to restore a standalone Department of Agriculture separate from natural resources, and a November ballot measure that would let the state drop Medicaid expansion if federal funding falls below 90%. Ahlers warned rollback could hurt rural hospitals; Rhoden cited concerns over federal debt and funding reliability. Voters decide the governor's race and ballot measures Nov. 3.

A government-funded ad campaign praising President Trump began airing on Fox News this week, labeled on-screen as "Paid for by the U.S. government." The ads feature Trump's image, a soundtrack of the song "Love Me," UFC's Dana White calling him "the toughest, most resilient person," and promises to defeat "communism, socialism and Marxism." The White House describes the spots as a nonpolitical "public service announcement." Singer JMSN says he never authorized use of his song for political purposes.

The campaign has drawn bipartisan criticism. Republican Senator Thom Tillis said the use of taxpayer money "feels like Viktor Orbán," and Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) said he doesn't like seeing public money fund what looks like campaign advertising. Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin called the ads "blatantly unethical," citing potential violations of the Hatch Act, which bars using government resources for political purposes.

The ads follow other instances of Trump's name and image appearing on government property, currency, and buildings, prompting comparisons to state-run propaganda in authoritarian countries. No congressional investigation or Justice Department action has been announced.

California Sen. Alex Padilla made an unannounced visit to an ICE holding center in Sacramento, his at least fourth such inspection, amid a surge in immigration enforcement across the state. He found four people held in a facility with a 12-person capacity, describing the building as not designed for detention. The visit followed a Tuesday collision in Woodland between an ICE vehicle and an observer, which federal officials and local police dispute. Padilla, previously removed from a 2025 news conference with Kristi Noem, says he is tracking ICE activity ahead of elections, raising concerns about access to counsel and potential voter intimidation.

South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson, a Republican, has endorsed Democratic candidate Terrence Davis to succeed her, breaking with her party after losing the GOP nomination to Heather Baxter at the state convention in June. In a column for South Dakota War College, Johnson cited Davis's law enforcement background, criminal justice degree and public policy graduate work, saying he prioritizes transparency, voting rights and functional government systems. She urged voters to look past party labels, arguing Davis is best prepared for the role.

Baxter pushed back, defending party loyalty and standards including paper balloting, photo ID requirements and opposition to same-day voter registration, calling the office too important for a "consolation prize." Davis has said restoring public trust in elections is his central focus. Democrats have not won statewide office in South Dakota since 2015, and the state has voted heavily for Donald Trump in the last three presidential elections, making the race a notable test of party lines in a deep-red state.

South Dakota's Constitutional Amendment I, on the November ballot, would repeal the state's Medicaid expansion if federal funding drops below the current 90-percent matching threshold. Voters approved Medicaid expansion in 2022 with 56 percent support, and lawmakers placed Amendment I before voters during this year's legislative session.

Supporters, including Republican State Senator Casey Crabtree, argue the state cannot absorb costs if Washington reduces its share, though he notes expansion could continue under state statute if lawmakers find funding. Opponents, including medical professionals and advocacy groups like the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, warn as many as 30,000 South Dakotans could lose coverage, calling the program critical in rural areas. Both sides acknowledge that any federal rollback of Medicaid's funding formula would face a difficult path through Congress, given that 40 states now rely on expansion dollars. Separately, other states are already seeing coverage losses tied to federal policy changes: Washington state expects about 14,000 residents, mostly lawfully present immigrants without green cards, to lose Medicaid eligibility starting October 1 under the new federal law known as HR1. The South Dakota vote will test public appetite for conditional entitlement guarantees tied to federal funding levels.

South Dakota's general election is set for Tuesday, November 3, with absentee voting underway since September 18 and the voter registration deadline passed on October 19. Voters will decide four constitutional amendments alongside statewide and county races. Amendment I would repeal expanded Medicaid coverage if federal funding falls below 90%, narrowing eligibility to low-income children, pregnant women, disabled individuals, and the elderly. Amendment J would clarify that only U.S. citizens may vote in state elections. Amendment K would let unclaimed intangible property returned to the state earn interest, with proceeds benefiting the state. Amendment L would raise the threshold for passing future constitutional amendments to 60% of votes cast.

Statewide races include governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, secretary of state, attorney general, state auditor, treasurer, and public utilities commissioner, plus local contests in Minnehaha County. The amendments carry implications for health policy, election administration, and state fiscal rules that extend beyond South Dakota.

San Diego County voters face three measures this Election Day. Measure A would amend the county charter to create an independent ethics commission, add independent budget and program auditor roles, and raise supervisor term limits from two to three four-year terms, retroactively benefiting current board members. Measure B would impose a 0.5% countywide sales tax, directed mostly toward healthcare, nutrition, and family services, with a smaller share for Tijuana River Valley sewage cleanup and public safety, raising an estimated $400–450 million annually. Measure M authorizes a $3.5 billion school bond for San Diego Unified facility repairs without raising property tax rates, requiring 55% voter approval to pass.