Financial tsunami forming in South Dakota governor’s race

Two campaigns have big financial resources while the third seeking strength through grassroots street cred

There was a time in South Dakota politics when a candidate for governor could run a comfortable campaign on $1 million.

But those days are getting further in the rearview mirror. And in the race brewing next year, total candidate spending will likely blow past $10 million as campaigns hit the airwaves, stuff mailboxes with direct mail and reach potential supporters via social media and text messages. 

That spending is expected to come primarily from two Republicans vying for their party’s nomination. U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson had $6 million in his congressional campaign account at the end of March that, under state law, can be transferred to a state campaign account. Johnson’s next report isn’t due until the middle of this month, so it’s unclear how much money he’ll transfer.