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Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Poll: Johnson, Rhoden set pace in South Dakota governor's race
Early voter support in the 2026 Republican primary race for South Dakota governor is focused on U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson and incumbent Gov. Larry Rhoden, according to a poll of 500 registered GOP voters co-sponsored by South Dakota News Watch. But an expected crowded field could complicate the path to victory in the primary, with 35% of the vote needed to avoid a runoff election. The statewide survey, also sponsored by the Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota, showed Johnson at 28% and Rhoden at 27%, with Attorney General Marty Jackley at 18%. Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden polled at 4%, followed by South Dakota Speaker of the House Jon Hansen at 2%. More: Watertown airport to change flight options in August, adds Twin Cities route The number of respondents who said they were undecided was 20%. That underscores the early nature of a race in which Hansen, a Dell Rapids lawyer and anti-abortion advocate, is the only one to have officially declared his candidacy. Mason-Dixon Polling and Strategy conducted the poll of registered Republican voters April 9-11, using random selections from a telephone-matched state voter registration list that included both landline and cellphone numbers. The margin of error was no more than 4.5 percentage points. Here are key takeaways as candidates begin planning their campaigns: Johnson, elected to a fourth term in Congress in 2024, has $5.9 million in his 'Friends of Dusty Johnson' campaign committee as of last filing and can shift that money toward a state race. His intention to run for governor has been well-known in state political circles for some time. Combined with name recognition and decades of political experience, Johnson's campaign fund makes the 48-year-old Pierre native a major player in the governor's race, even with an incumbent in the field. More: New Peruvian restaurant brings authentic flavors to Aberdeen "I'm grateful to be the leading candidate for governor in the early going, but my focus is on working for our country," Johnson told News Watch in reaction to the poll. "We've got a narrow window to secure conservative wins in Washington, and I plan to keep delivering. I'll worry about the next race later." Mindful that other Republicans will try to portray him as too moderate or not sufficiently loyal to President Donald Trump, Johnson has aligned himself with Trump on numerous issues in 2025, including tariffs, federal spending cuts and a potential takeover of the Panama Canal. The poll showed that Trump carries a 68% favorability rating among South Dakota Republicans voters, compared to 52% for Johnson and 40% for Rhoden. At times, Johnson has taken a more centrist tone, introducing a Wounded Knee Massacre site bill in Congress that would preserve a section of the land where hundreds of Lakota Indians were massacred by the U.S. Army in 1890. Rhoden, a 66-year-old Meade County rancher, is a former state legislator who served as lieutenant governor to former Gov. Kristi Noem. He took the top job in late January when Noem was confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in the Trump administration. The latest campaign filing from his 'Rhoden for Governor' campaign committee shows a balance of about $91,000. His ability to sell donors on his vision for another term and raise cash quickly will determine his viability in the race. Julia Hellwege, an associate political science professor at USD and director of the Chiesman Center, said that Noem's departure and Rhoden's ascension to the top job "threw a wrench" into the race by allowing him to run as an incumbent. "It sort of changed the landscape for the other candidates," said Hellwege. The poll showed that 40% of respondents had a neutral view of Rhoden, compared to 23% for Johnson. Also, 13% didn't recognize the governor's name, more than half of those who hadn't heard of Johnson (6%). Establishing a political identity separate from Noem, a challenge when taking office in the midst of a legislative session, will be a priority for Rhoden. The governor has heralded a pro-business approach as part of his "Open for Opportunity" tour, hoping to impress top-level donors with an eye toward 2026. Like Johnson, he is widely expected to run but has not formally entered the race. "I've been receiving a lot of encouragement from South Dakotans to keep doing the job of governor," Rhoden told News Watch in reaction to the poll. "Sandy (his wife) and I are encouraged by this information — but campaigns are too long and a distraction from public service. South Dakota is a great state, and I'm focused on doing my job serving the people as governor." Jackley told News Watch that he was surprised by his third-place standing in the poll, 10 points behind the leader. The 54-year-old Sturgis native has about $520,000 in his campaign fund and is well-established in South Dakota's political and legal communities. He previously ran for governor in 2018, losing in the Republican primary to Noem. Jackley, who has professional ties to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, will work to build momentum with endorsements and support from groups such as the National Association of Attorneys General, of which he serves as vice president. He has scheduled a major fundraiser for May 5 at the Arrowhead Country Club in Rapid City. "I continue to receive encouragement to run for governor from South Dakotans who want a common sense conservative in the race," Jackley told News Watch. "But right now I'm focused on keeping our streets safe and leading the fight against government corruption.' Michael Card, an emeritus professor of political science at the University of South Dakota, also expressed surprise at Jackley's standing in the poll. "There's a lot of time left, but I thought he would be a lot closer to Johnson and Rhoden," said Card. "Rhoden is five points ahead of him West River, where he should be strong, and he's not really in consideration in Sioux Falls Metro and East River/South, where he's below the number of undecideds. It shows that crime or personal safety may not be the issue that's on people's minds right now." This story was produced by South Dakota News Watch, an independent, nonprofit organization. Read more stories and donate at Contact Stu Whitney at This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Johnson Rhoden Jackley Doeden Hansen in South Dakota governor's race
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Are more elderly South Dakotans working?
This story is reported by , a non-profit news organization. Find more in-depth reporting at . A growing number of South Dakotans continue to work past retirement age. In 2018, a quarter of South Dakotans 65 and older were in the labor force. Five years later, that number climbed to 29%, above the national rate of 19%. Bill to end child marriage in SD clears first hurdle As of July 2024, 18% of South Dakotans were 65 and older. That's up from 14% in 2010. From 2000-2020 the nationwide share of workers 60 and older doubled, due in part to the aging population and falling birth rates. Other contributing factors include employers shifting away from pension type retirement plans, which encourage workers to retire at a specific age, and the Social Security system raising the age for when workers can receive full benefits from 65 to 67. This fact brief responds to conversations such as this one. South Dakota Department of Labor, 2018 Workforce Report South Dakota Department of Labor, 2023 Workforce Report United States Census, Population 65 and Older 2024 United States Census, Population 65 and Older 2010 National Academies, Understanding the Aging Workforce Pew Research Center, The growth of the older workforce South Dakota News Watch partners with Gigafact, a nonprofit network of nonpartisan newsrooms, to verify trending claims through fact briefs. Read previous fact briefs and our verification standards and other best practices policies. Have a question we can answer? Submit it at the South Dakota News Watch Tipline. Send questions or feedback to factbrief@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
