Incumbent
The Public Sentiment Institute
20%15%10%5%0%
14.1%
No active market coverage
Prediction market pricing is temporarily unavailable for this candidate.
Overview
Current roleState Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age40 years old (Dec 30, 1985)
GenderMale
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LocationSouth Dakota
BackgroundAttorney
EducationSoutheast Technical Institute — Associate degree, Business Administration
Notable personal detailsJon Hansen is a Republican attorney and state legislator from Dell Rapids, South Dakota. He represents District 25 in the South Dakota House of Representatives and has served as Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives since January 2025. He previously served in the House from 2011 to 2013 and returned to the legislature in 2019. In 2026 he is a Republican candidate for Governor of South Dakota, running with Karla Lems for lieutenant governor.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orghansenlems2026.comsdsos.govsdgop.comdecisionlabs.aidrgnews.comjonhansenforhouse.comapnews.comsdpb.orgdakotanewsnow.comobjspeaking.comsouthdakotasearchlight.commilitarybudget.orghuronradio.comnationaltoday.combhfs.comsdcfr.sdsos.govmylrc.sdlegislature.govkotatv.comkbhbradio.comwashingtonpost.comrepbio.orgthefreedomindex.orgdakotafreepress.comdakotawarcollege.comopen.pluralpolicy.comktwb.comcbsnews.comaxios.comseattletimes.comfoxnews.comtwitter.comlatimes.comballotready.orghouse.govhistory.house.govnga.orgrounds.senate.govvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgcongress.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgclerk.house.govcdn.ballotpedia.orggovinfo.govdemocrats-science.house.govsenate.govthune.senate.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Jon Hansen advocates for lower taxes, including substantial reductions in property taxes, opposes corporate welfare and supports lower regulation and free-market solutions. He emphasizes fiscal restraint and replacing tax revenue reductions with spending reforms rather than new taxes.
Healthcare
The candidate has supported measures to restrict or add limits to Medicaid expansion in South Dakota and has described such measures as protecting taxpayers; no evidence was found that he supports major public expansions like Medicare for All or a public option.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Jon Hansen opposes abortion and has a long record of sponsoring and supporting legislation to restrict abortion access. He is a leader with South Dakota Right to Life, co-founded the anti-abortion Life Defense Fund, and has supported measures aimed at blocking or reversing abortion-rights initiatives in the state. His legislative actions have included bills and resolutions that seek criminal penalties and stricter limits on abortion-related activity.
Climate & Energy
Prioritizes property rights and has opposed use of eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipeline projects; emphasizes preserving family farms and state heritage while advancing conservative energy and economic policies. Policy activity focuses on limiting government authority over land and opposing large carbon pipeline projects rather than endorsing aggressive emissions regulations or Green New Deal–style measures.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate supports robust Second Amendment protections, including permitless/concealed-carry policies and opposition to new firearm restrictions. The candidate has received high ratings/endorsements from pro-gun groups and frames gun rights as part of preserving individual freedoms and public safety.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 12, 2026
Jon Hansen is in the news because he is running in South Dakota’s Republican governor primary, which is headed to a runoff after no candidate cleared the 35% threshold. Recent reports say he had been gaining support in the final stretch, with one poll putting him at 18%, up sharply from when he entered the race. His campaign has focused on abortion, property taxes, spending cuts, and opposition to special tax breaks for large companies.
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Articles
NNewsBreak9 days ago
GOP Rep. Andy Ogles deletes homophobic social media post, blames staffer
Neutral
ANAberdeen News14 days ago
Jon Hansen gains momentum in South Dakota GOP race
Positive
SFSioux Falls Argus Leader14 days ago
What South Dakota governor candidates say about education policy
Neutral
ANAberdeen News2 months ago
Dusty Johnson widens lead in South Dakota governor race
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising