HURON, S.D. – South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden and Democratic challenger Dan Ahlers met Saturday in Huron for their first gubernatorial debate of the campaign.
The debate, hosted by the South Dakota Farmers Union at the State Fair, focused largely on agriculture and other issues affecting rural communities.
One of the sharpest exchanges centered on Constitutional Amendment I, which would allow voters to decide whether Medicaid expansion should remain tied to the federal government’s commitment to covering 90 percent of the program’s costs. Ahlers criticized the measure, arguing it gives state leaders a way to back away from Medicaid expansion, while Rhoden defended the proposal, citing concerns about long-term federal funding and the national debt.
The candidates also discussed property taxes, efforts to attract young people to farming, and protections for agricultural landowners.
Despite several disagreements, both candidates expressed opposition to plans that would allow additional foreign beef imports without tariffs, saying the move could negatively affect South Dakota cattle producers.
The next debate between Rhoden and Ahlers is scheduled for September 28th in Sioux Falls. South Dakota’s general election is set for November 3rd.
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