Dusty Johnson

HURON –– On Monday, June 30, in two events in the state, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) announced his candidacy for the 2026 South Dakota governor’s race. He said the energy at the two events, in Sioux Falls and Rapid City, was electric.

“So many people crammed into the venues,” Johnson expressed. “People are excited about this race.”

When asked what inspired his choice to join the 2026 race, Johnson referred to his feelings toward his home state and the near future for the state.

“I love South Dakota,” he remarked. “I feel that the next 20 years could be the best years in our history, but that’s not inevitable.”

He continued, “I think we’re at a key inflection point. I think we need a real plan. We need real leadership, and I’m excited to be the guy to pull together that team and that plan.”

Johnson says that the Republican field for governor, which also currently includes state legislator Jon Hansen and businessman Toby Doeden, has ideological differences that should allow for an interesting campaign leading up to the primary election date on June 2, 2026.

“With the three candidates that we have, there are dramatically different world views,” Johnson stated. “I don’t think the politics of division and the politics of anger are going to solve the problems of South Dakota. I think we get more done when we’re working together.”

Johnson broke down his vision for South Dakota into four focuses.

“First, we need to reduce property taxes, but we have to do it in a responsible way while protecting core services such as roads, bridges, law enforcement, and schools,” he began. “Number two, we have to make our communities safer by focusing on drugs and addiction. We need better treatment and training for drugs and addiction inside our prisons as well.”

Johnson continued, “Number three, we need to make college and technical school more affordable. We also need to be relentless about student achievement at the K-12 level. And fourth, we need to keep taxes low by growing this economy. That doesn’t mean growth for growth’s sake. It needs to be growth with a purpose. These are things that can open opportunities for the next generation.”

Johnson spoke about the budget bill, which had passed 51-50 in the U.S. Senate within the hour before the conversation. He expects there will be some review in the House before a vote on the Senate version takes place.

“It took six months for us to build a reconciliation package that we felt met the goals of the country,” Johnson explained. “The House is going to look at the Senate package and see if it’s acceptable. If it’s not acceptable, we’ll make some changes and we’ll send it back, and I’d imagine that the Senate would then take that up after the Fourth of July.”

Johnson did express that he felt the input of House Speaker Mike Johnson and the White House, as the Senate crafted their bill, should allow for a quick turnaround in the House.

Finally, Johnson expressed that his unique role in Congress working among factions of the Republican Party has given him unique insight into working in Pierre with different ideas that may come to the table.

“(The House) has gotten some big things done by coming together,” Johnson said. “I’m the only candidate in the race with a multi-year track record of bringing together those different parts of the party to get things done.”