U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson is expected to announce his candidacy for South Dakota governor on Monday, according to two individuals familiar with the decision.
Johnson, who has represented South Dakota’s at-large congressional district since 2019, has played a prominent role in House negotiations as chair of the Main Street Caucus—a coalition of pragmatic Republicans. His move toward the governor’s race has been widely anticipated by political observers.
The formal announcement is set to take place in Sioux Falls.
With this move, Johnson becomes the eighth Republican House member to pursue higher office in 2026.
Meanwhile, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has announced his intent to run for the state’s lone U.S. House seat in 2026, saying he believes he can best serve South Dakotans in Washington.
“I am preparing a run for Congress because I truly believe the fight is in Washington,” Jackley told SDPB, confirming his plans to seek federal office.
Jackley’s announcement comes amid speculation that current U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson may pursue the governor’s seat in 2026, though no official statement has been made.
A veteran of South Dakota politics, Jackley previously served as attorney general from 2009 to 2019 and was re-elected to the position in 2022. He also ran unsuccessfully in the 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary against former Governor Kristi Noem. His 2026 campaign is expected to take shape in the coming months as the political landscape evolves.
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