South Dakota
Electoral Votes: 3
Population: 935,094
2024 Turnout: 64.0%
2020 Turnout: 66.4%
Cook PVI: R+15
Senate Rating: Solid R
Governor Rating: Solid R
Federal Government:
Senate
| John Thune (R) | Mike Rounds* (R) |
House
| Dusty Johnson* (R) | South Dakota’s At-Large |
(* indicates seat up election in 2026)
State Government:
| Governor | Larry Rhoden* (R) |
| Chamber | Majority | Minority |
| State Senate | 32R* | 3D* |
| State House | 64R* | 6D* |
(* indicates seat up for election in 2026)
A Short Overview
South Dakota is a reliably Republican state, with the GOP controlling nearly all statewide offices. Though, they have a recent history of electing farmer/union-worker moderate Democrats in the past 2 decades. Conservative cultural values and rural identity strongly shape political attitudes. Agriculture, energy, and Native American tribal issues are important political topics. Democrats remain competitive in certain local and tribal areas but face major statewide disadvantages. Most meaningful electoral competition occurs within the Republican Party.
