Rep. Dusty Johnson launches bid for South Dakota governor

Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) launched a bid for South Dakota governor on Monday as a handful of Republicans look to replace Gov. Larry Rhoden (R), who has not said whether he’ll seek reelection.

“South Dakota is a special place where hard work, conservative common sense and firm handshakes are a way of life,” Johnson says in a two-minute ad. “That's why it's been such an honor to work for you in Congress. We rolled up our sleeves and got things moving in the right direction, cutting trillions in wasteful spending, standing with President Trump to secure our border and finally getting tough on China.”

“Those were important fights to build a better country for our kids, but their future doesn't begin in some far away place,” he continues. “It begins here at home in South Dakota.”

Johnson, who’s served as South Dakota’s at-large House member since 2019 and helms the Republican Main Street Caucus, is the latest Republican to throw his hat in the ring.

South Dakota House Speaker Jon Hansen and businessman Toby Doeden have also announced campaigns for Rhoden’s seat. Rhoden previously served as lieutenant governor under Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem when she was governor of the state; Rhoden later rose to governor when Noem took her current position within the Trump administration.

Democratic candidate Robert Arnold, a 19-year-old student at Dakota State University, is also running for the seat and is considered a longshot contender in the reliably red state.

Rhoden has left the door open to running again though it’s not immediately clear when an announcement will be made.

“I’m not making a decision based who I’m running against, I’m making a decision based what I’m running for,” the South Dakota governor told KOTA in April.