Be part of South Dakota history: Get your seat at The Dakota Scout-Sioux Falls Live GOP primary debate

Paid subscribers get exclusive access to April 27 debate where Rhoden, Johnson, Hansen, Doeden to share debate stage

When South Dakota’s top contenders for governor take the debate stage in downtown Sioux Falls next month, you could be in the room, too.

A limited number of tickets are available for The Dakota Scout-Sioux Falls Live 2026 GOP primary debate on April 27 at the Belbas Theater inside the Washington Pavilion, and we’re offering them exclusively to our strongest supporters.

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Tickets are $20 each and available only to paid subscribers of either The Dakota Scout or SiouxFallsLive.com — or both. Subscribers are encouraged to make sure their paid subscriptions are active before the end of March.

Scouting members of The Dakota Scout can purchase tickets for $15 each, with a limit of four seats per subscriber.

The debate will feature all four candidates in the 2026 Republican primary for governor: Gov. Larry Rhoden, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, House Speaker Jon Hansen and Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden.

The event begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be moderated by Jonathan Ellis of The Dakota Scout and Patrick Lalley of SiouxFallsLive.com.

How to get tickets

Because seating is limited, tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis beginning April 1.

Subscribers who want to attend can get tickets two ways:

• Call The Dakota Scout newsroom at 605-271-4586.

• Or email Joe@thedakotascout.com with “DEBATE TICKETS” in the subject line. Include the email address associated with TheDakotaScout.com and/or SiouxFallsLive.com subscription of the ticket purchaser.

• There’s a maximum of 4 tickets per subscriber.

The debate will also be televised statewide on Forum Communications broadcast channels across South Dakota and live-streamed online for viewers unable to attend in person.