Republican Larry Rhoden wins reelection for governor in South Dakota

Republican Larry Rhoden won election Tuesday as governor of South Dakota, defeating Democrat Dan Ahlers. This will be the first full term for Rhoden, who ascended from lieutenant governor in 2025 when then-Gov. Kristi Noem joined President Donald Trump’s administration as Homeland Security secretary. Rhoden is a former member of the state House and Senate. He will continue a run of Republican governors spanning almost 50 years. Ahlers is a former state lawmaker. The Associated Press declared Rhoden the winner at 11:45 p.m. EST.

The Associated Press