Governor of South Dakota · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in the South Dakota governor's race?
Larry Rhoden has the strongest record in the South Dakota governor's race. Larry Rhoden scores 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Dan Ahlers at 63, as of October 6, 2026. Larry Rhoden's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Dan Ahlers's highest marks are relevant experience and communication. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Democratic
Dan Ahlers
Running mate: Steven McCleerey
63 / 100
Public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 70
- Performance
- NR
Republican · incumbent
Strongest record
Larry Rhoden
Running mate: Tony Venhuizen
64 / 100
Public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- 63
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Dan Ahlers
- On the record2026-09
Debated Gov. Larry Rhoden on Sept. 5 at the State Fair and on Sept. 28 at SDPB in Sioux Falls.
Sources: KELOLAND News via AOL, Sept. 5, 2026, SDPB, Sept. 28, 2026
- On the record2026-09-28
Proposed a child care tax credit and per-child rebate in the SDPB debate and said he had no specific amount yet.
Source: SDPB, Sept. 28, 2026
- On the record2023
Served as executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party before running for governor.
- Credit2007 to 2018
Served six years in the South Dakota Legislature representing District 25 in the House and Senate.
Sources: KELOLAND News via AOL, Sept. 5, 2026, Ballotpedia, Dan Ahlers
Larry Rhoden
- On the record2026-09
Said in a September 2026 debate that he disagrees with President Trump's beef import plan.
- On the record2026-09
Debated Democrat Dan Ahlers on Sept. 5 at the State Fair and on Sept. 28 at SDPB in Sioux Falls.
Sources: KELOLAND News via AOL, Sept. 5, 2026, SDPB, Sept. 28, 2026
- On the record2025-01-25
Became governor on Jan. 25, 2025, when Gov. Kristi Noem resigned to become U.S. Homeland Security secretary.
- Credit2026-03-12
Signed SB 96 and SB 245, property tax relief bills he championed, which supporters call the largest property tax cut in state history.
Sources: SDPB, March 12, 2026, South Dakota News Watch via KOTA, March 17, 2026
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Dan Ahlers. No public record found.
Larry Rhoden. No public record found.
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Dan Ahlers. No public record found.
Larry Rhoden. Said in a September 2026 debate that he disagrees with President Trump's beef import plan.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Dan Ahlers. Took part in the Sept. 5 Farmers Union debate at the State Fair and the Sept. 28 SDPB and South Dakota News Watch debate.
Sources: KELOLAND News via AOL, Sept. 5, 2026, SDPB, Sept. 28, 2026
Larry Rhoden. Took part in both scheduled 2026 general election debates: the Sept. 5 South Dakota Farmers Union debate at the State Fair and the Sept. 28 SDPB and South Dakota News Watch debate.
Sources: KELOLAND News via AOL, Sept. 5, 2026, SDPB, Sept. 28, 2026
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Dan Ahlers. Served six years in the Legislature and led the Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce and the state Democratic Party staff with no formal conduct finding found.
Larry Rhoden. Has served 16 years in the Legislature, six as lieutenant governor and since January 2025 as governor with no formal censure or conduct finding found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Dan Ahlers. Took the oath as a state representative and senator. No official finding of misuse of office found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Dan Ahlers
Larry Rhoden. Took the oaths of legislator, lieutenant governor and governor. No official finding of misuse of office and no recorded action to reject certified election results found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Dan Ahlers. Served six years in the Legislature for District 25 in the House and Senate, and was executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party.
Sources: KELOLAND News via AOL, Sept. 5, 2026, Ahlers for Governor, why I'm running
Larry Rhoden. Governor since January 2025, lieutenant governor from 2019 to 2025, and 16 years in the state House and Senate.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Larry Rhoden, KELOLAND News via AOL, Sept. 5, 2026
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Dan Ahlers. Publishes positions on rural investment, education and affordability in general terms; proposed a child care tax credit and rebate but said he had no specific amount.
Larry Rhoden. As governor championed two specific property tax bills, SB 96 and SB 245, that were enacted in March 2026, and debated their effects.
Sources: SDPB, Sept. 28, 2026, South Dakota News Watch via KOTA, March 17, 2026
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Dan Ahlers. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey, publishes an issues page, and took part in two debates.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Dan Ahlers, Ahlers for Governor, issues, SDPB, Sept. 28, 2026
Larry Rhoden. Took part in two general election debates and publishes a campaign biography and accomplishments page. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Dan Ahlers. Born in Dell Rapids and lists a Dell Rapids address with the Secretary of State; represented District 25, which includes Dell Rapids.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Dan Ahlers, South Dakota Secretary of State candidate list
Larry Rhoden. A fourth-generation South Dakotan and rancher who lists a Union Center address with the Secretary of State.
Sources: South Dakota Secretary of State candidate list, Rhoden for Governor, about
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Dan Ahlers. Owned and ran a video rental business and served as president of the Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Dan Ahlers, Ahlers for Governor
Larry Rhoden. Heads the state executive branch; the Legislature passed a $7.5 billion fiscal 2027 budget in the 2026 session.
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Dan Ahlers. No public record found.
Larry Rhoden. Signed SB 96 and SB 245 in March 2026, property tax relief bills he championed and negotiated with House leadership; supporters call it the largest property tax cut in state history.
Sources: SDPB, March 12, 2026, South Dakota News Watch via KOTA, March 17, 2026
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Dan Ahlers. No public record found.
Larry Rhoden. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Dan Ahlers. No public record found.
Larry Rhoden. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Dan Ahlers. No public record found.
Larry Rhoden. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Dan Ahlers. No public record found.
Larry Rhoden. The 2026 Legislature passed the fiscal 2027 budget, a 2.4 percent increase, before the session's main run ended.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 6, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the South Dakota governor's race?
Larry Rhoden has the strongest record in the South Dakota governor's race. Larry Rhoden scores 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Dan Ahlers at 63, as of October 6, 2026. Larry Rhoden's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Dan Ahlers's highest marks are relevant experience and communication. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the South Dakota governor's race in 2026?
Dan Ahlers (Democratic), Larry Rhoden (Republican, incumbent). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Dan Ahlers a good candidate for Governor?
Dan Ahlers scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 70 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Larry Rhoden a good candidate for Governor?
Larry Rhoden scores 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 63 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every South Dakota race scored, and the South Dakota 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.