SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — South Dakota’s lone member of the U.S. House of Representatives is seeking to trade in his Washington, D.C. office for the governor’s office in Pierre.
Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson announced in Sioux Falls this morning he is running to become South Dakota’s next governor in 2026.
During his announcement, Johnson talked about cutting property taxes, fighting illegal drugs and drug addiction, making college more affordable for students in South Dakota and growing the state’s economy.
The 48-year-old Johnson currently serves in the U.S. House of Representatives, a role he has held since January 2019.
Along with Johnson, two other Republican candidates have officially entered the race for governor: Jon Hansen of the Dell Rapids area, who serves as speaker of South Dakota’s House of Representatives, and Toby Doeden of Aberdeen, president of Doeden Investment Group.
South Dakota’s primary election is set for June 2, 2026. The general election will be Nov. 3, 2026.
Listen to Dusty’s announcement here: