Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
13.1%
27.4%
24.7%
18.4%
Republican
Jon Hansen
Republican candidate for Governor in South Dakota
South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
$1.8M
JUL 29, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
0.1%chance to win
$1.8MJUL 29, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleState Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age40 years old (Dec 30, 1985)
GenderMale
Show moreShow less
LocationSouth Dakota
BackgroundAttorney
EducationSoutheast Technical Institute — Associate's, Business Administration
Notable personal detailsJon Hansen is an American attorney and Republican politician in South Dakota. He represents the 25th District in the South Dakota House of Representatives and has served as Speaker of the House since 2025. He has a business background and earned a J.D. from the University of South Dakota School of Law. In 2026 he ran for the Republican nomination for Governor of South Dakota with Karla Lems as his running mate.
SourcesShowHide
sdlegislature.goven.wikipedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orghansenlems2026.comsdcfr.sdsos.govsdnewswatch.orgsdsos.govwikidata.organgellawsd.comsdpb.orgsouthdakotadatacenter.orgsodakgovs.comnews.sd.govreddit.commylrc.sdlegislature.govkotatv.comkbhbradio.comjonhansenforhouse.comwashingtonpost.comapnews.comrepbio.orgthefreedomindex.orgdakotafreepress.comdakotawarcollege.comopen.pluralpolicy.comktwb.comfacebook.comamericanprinciplesproject.orgballotpedia.orginstagram.comsouthdakotasearchlight.comdakotanewsnow.comcbsnews.comkeloland.comthedakotascout.commitchellrepublic.compbs.orgthehill.comnbcnews.comballotready.orgstatic.votesmart.orgcongress.govdustyjohnson.house.govgovinfo.govsenate.govepw.senate.govnga.orghistory.house.gov
Political 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.
Show moreShow less
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.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Jon Hansen is in the news because South Dakota’s Republican governor primary went to a runoff after no candidate cleared the 35% threshold, and he was one of the candidates competing for the second runoff spot. In the weeks before the vote, his campaign had been gaining momentum, with one poll showing him at 18%, up from 2% when he entered the race. Coverage also highlighted his campaign focus on abortion, property taxes, spending cuts, and opposition to special tax breaks for large companies.
sdlegislature.gov+47
Articles
NNewsBreak3 months ago
GOP Rep. Andy Ogles deletes homophobic social media post, blames staffer
Neutral
ANAberdeen News3 months ago
Jon Hansen gains momentum in South Dakota GOP race
Positive
SFSioux Falls Argus Leader3 months ago
What South Dakota governor candidates say about education policy
Neutral
ANAberdeen News4 months ago
Dusty Johnson widens lead in South Dakota governor race
Neutral
Latest Polls
South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Jon Hansen currently averages 13.1%, ranking 4th in this race, 5.4 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 13.1%Position: 4thMargin: -5.4 ptsLatest poll: 14.1% (May 26 - 27)Polls included: 9
Average recalculated from polls through May 26 - 27.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising