Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
27.1%
28.6%
18.4%
13.1%
Republican
Larry Rhoden
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.
99.9%chance to win
$1.8MJUL 29, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleGovernor
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age67 years old (Feb 5, 1959)
GenderMale
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LocationSouth Dakota
BackgroundPolitician
EducationSunshine Bible Academy (graduated 1977)
Notable personal detailsLarry Robert Rhoden is an American politician, rancher, and businessman who has served as the 34th governor of South Dakota since January 2025. A Republican, he previously served in the South Dakota House of Representatives and South Dakota Senate, and was lieutenant governor of South Dakota from 2019 to 2025 on the Noem–Rhoden ticket. He served in the South Dakota National Guard from 1978 to 1985.
SourcesShowHide
nga.orggovernorlarryrhoden.comen.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgnews.sd.govcommons.wikimedia.orgsdsos.govsdnewswatch.orgmultistate.usnba.comsouthdakotasearchlight.comes.wikipedia.orgcongressweb.commylrc.sdlegislature.govcdn4.creativecirclemedia.comarxiv.orgapnews.comsdpb.orgdakotanewsnow.comdakotabroadcasting.comnewscenter1.tvkitv.comkotatv.comkotaradio.combiofuelscentral.comnraila.orgargusleader.comsbaprolife.orgtourismcoalitionsd.comfacebook.comkeloland.comnytimes.comaberdeennews.comnbcnews.comgoogle.comballotready.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgvotesmart.orgde.wikipedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgepw.senate.govstatic.votesmart.orggovinfo.govcongress.govfr.wikipedia.orghistory.house.govdemocrats.senate.govfec.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Larry Rhoden has supported tax relief measures focused on reducing property taxes, proposed a county option to raise sales tax to offset residential property tax burdens, and emphasizes fiscal conservatism and balanced budgets while opposing large tax increases. His actions include signing property-tax-limiting legislation and advancing budgets described as fiscally conservative.
Healthcare
Focuses on strengthening rural healthcare access and the healthcare workforce through state programs and federal Rural Health Transformation funding, and supports integrating behavioral health into primary care; has sought legislation to restrict abortion medication. Public statements emphasize investments and programmatic changes rather than broad federal expansions or explicit market-based reforms.
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Immigration & Border
Larry Rhoden has enacted and supported measures that strengthen immigration enforcement: he signed a statewide ban on sanctuary cities, has sent South Dakota National Guard troops to the southern border, and requested a Memorandum of Agreement for the South Dakota Highway Patrol to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His public statements emphasize removing criminal undocumented immigrants and supporting federal enforcement efforts to secure the border.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports strict limits on abortion, seeks legislation to block abortion pills from entering the state, and has directed state officials to investigate abortion pill advertising. Abortion in South Dakota is treated as illegal except to save the life of the pregnant person, and the candidate has advocated enforcing and expanding those restrictions.
Climate & Energy
Larry Rhoden supports an all-of-the-above energy approach that emphasizes reliable, affordable energy and consumer choice while backing higher renewable fuel (ethanol/biomass diesel) volumes for rural producers. He signed legislation prohibiting the use of eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipelines, citing property-rights and permitting concerns, and joined a governors’ coalition that seeks to limit regulatory mandates and prioritize affordability and reliability. These positions combine support for renewable fuels with a preference for market-driven energy policy and limits on regulatory im
Public Safety & Guns
Larry Rhoden has taken pro-Second Amendment actions as governor, signing multiple bills that expand concealed-carry rights (including on public college campuses and in certain workplaces and bars) and enacting laws that limit restrictions on firearm transactions and covenants that restrict firearm possession. He frames these actions as protecting Second Amendment freedoms and has signed legislation to reduce limits on where firearms may be carried or stored.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 29, 2026
Larry Rhoden has won South Dakota’s Republican gubernatorial runoff, defeating Toby Doeden after trailing him in the earlier primary. The Associated Press called the race early as Rhoden built a large lead, and he will now move on to the general election against Democrat Dan Ahlers. Earlier in the campaign, Rhoden also signed a bill requiring new voters to prove U.S. citizenship in state and local elections.
nga.org+47
Articles
WEWashington Examiner28 days ago
Gov. Larry Rhoden wins South Dakota gubernatorial GOP primary runoff
Positive
SFSioux Falls Argus Leader28 days ago
Rhoden wins Republican nomination in SD's 1st gubernatorial runoff
Positive
ANAberdeen News29 days ago
Path to historic South Dakota governor runoff, polls open July 28
Neutral
ANAberdeen News1 month ago
Take a look at Gov. Larry Rhoden's record and finances
Neutral
Latest Polls
South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Larry Rhoden currently averages 27.1%, ranking second in this race, 1.5 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 27.1%Position: secondMargin: -1.5 ptsLatest poll: 32.6% (May 26 - 27)Polls included: 10
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