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Two-term governor who rose to national prominence during COVID, was floated as a 2024 VP candidate, and has cultivated close ties to Donald Trump. Her tenure reshaped SD GOP dynamics around loyalty signaling.
The Speaker's entry into the race signals intralegislative tensions extending beyond personality politics. Represents the traditional conservative legislative wing of the state party.
South Dakota's sole U.S. House member, representing a pragmatic wing of the party. His move to the governor's race opens SD's lone House seat and raises stakes for the 2026 House majority.
A political outsider running on a populist, anti-establishment platform. Represents the insurgent MAGA wing that has challenged party infrastructure candidates in races across the 2026 cycle.