Johnson won’t announce running mate before South Dakota Republicans cast first votes
Lieutenant governor choices still unclear for two of four candidates in GOP primary
Don’t expect the front-runner in South Dakota’s 2026 governor’s race to announce a lieutenant governor pick before next month’s GOP primary election.
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson has no intention of unveiling a running mate unless he first secures the Republican gubernatorial nomination on June 2, the four-term congressman told The Dakota Scout this week.
“Name me a successful presidential or gubernatorial candidate in history, modern history, who announced the running mate before the primary,” Johnson said while recording an interview with The Scout’s Joe Sneve and Jonathan Ellis that will publish Friday as part of this week’s Scouting Lounge podcast episode.
