Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
13.1%
27.4%
24.7%
18.4%
South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
$1.0M
JUL 29, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer State Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age40 years old (Dec 30, 1985)
GenderMale
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LocationSouth Dakota
BackgroundLawyer
EducationSoutheast Technical Institute — A.A. (Business Administration)
Notable personal detailsJon Hansen is an American attorney and Republican politician who serves as Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives and represents District 25 (Minnehaha and Moody counties). He previously served in the state House from 2011–2013 and returned in 2019, later serving as Speaker pro tempore before becoming Speaker in January 2025. He earned business degrees from Southeast Technical Institute and the University of Sioux Falls and a J.D. from the University of South Dakota School of Law. Hansen ran for governor of South Dakota in 2026 with state representative Karla Lems as his running mate.
SourcesShowHide
sdlegislature.govhansenlems2026.comen.wikipedia.orgsdsos.govamericanprinciplesproject.orgsdpb.orgdakotanewsnetwork.comsouthdakotasearchlight.comnewsfromthestates.comdrgnews.comapnews.comsdcfr.sdsos.govaaf.orgkotatv.comkbhbradio.comjonhansenforhouse.comwashingtonpost.comrepbio.orgthefreedomindex.orgdakotafreepress.comdakotawarcollege.comopen.pluralpolicy.comktwb.comfacebook.comdakotanewsnow.comsdnewswatch.orgkeloland.comcbsnews.commitchellrepublic.compbs.orgaberdeeninsider.cominstagram.comballotpedia.orgpredictionedge.comballotready.orghouse.govnga.orghistory.house.govrounds.senate.govcongress.govnass.orgepw.senate.govjudiciary.senate.govgovinfo.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 updatedJul 4, 2026
Jon Hansen is in the news because South Dakota’s Republican governor primary is headed to a runoff after no candidate cleared the 35% threshold. He was one of the candidates competing for the second runoff spot, alongside Gov. Larry Rhoden and Rep. Dusty Johnson, after Toby Doeden advanced. In the run-up to the vote, Hansen had been gaining support in polls, rising to 18% from 2% when he entered the race. His campaign has focused on abortion, property taxes, spending cuts, and opposition to special tax breaks for large companies.
sdlegislature.gov+43
Articles
NNewsBreak1 month ago
GOP Rep. Andy Ogles deletes homophobic social media post, blames staffer
Neutral
ANAberdeen News1 month ago
Jon Hansen gains momentum in South Dakota GOP race
Positive
SFSioux Falls Argus Leader1 month 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
South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Jon Hansen for South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
American Principles Project PAC
Elected official
American Principles Project PAC endorsed Jon Hansen for South Dakota governor.
Charles and Heather Maude
Elected official
Charles and Heather Maude endorsed Jon Hansen for governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising