Republican hopefuls in South Dakota's 2026 governor's race agree to April debates
The Dakota Scout partnering with Forum Communications in statewide televised debate between Rhoden, Johnson, Hansen, Doeden
Top contenders in the 2026 South Dakota Republican gubernatorial primary have agreed to square off in a televised debate hosted by The Dakota Scout and Forum Communications, setting the stage for what organizers say will be the premier forum of the campaign.
Gov. Larry Rhoden, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, House Speaker Jon Hansen and Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden are all scheduled to participate in the April 27 debate in downtown Sioux Falls.
“Voters will hear from candidates in one of the most consequential and historic elections in South Dakota history,” said Joe Sneve, who co-founded The Dakota Scout in 2022 with longtime South Dakota journalist Jonathan Ellis. “South Dakota’s next Republican nominee could lead our state through its next chapter of growth and opportunity but will also carry the banner for conservative leadership in our state. Few races in our state’s history have carried this level of significance.”
The debate will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be televised on KSFL-TV in eastern South Dakota and KNBN NewsCenter 1 in the Black Hills. Both stations are owned by Forum Communications Co., which also operates SiouxFallsLive.com and the Mitchell Republic as part of its expanding print, digital and television footprint in the state.
It will be moderated by Ellis and Patrick Lalley, editor of Sioux Falls Live and a longtime South Dakota journalist with Forum Communications.
Forum Communications Chief Content Officer Mary Jo Hotzler said the partnership brings together The Dakota Scout’s political reporting with Forum’s statewide reach.
“Debates between political candidates, under questioning by professional journalists, give voters the information they need to help make decisions. That’s fundamental to our role as community-minded media outlets serving the people of South Dakota, and we are honored to take part,” Hotzler said.
Along with the televised broadcast, the debate will be livestreamed across multiple digital platforms and supported by extensive pre- and post-debate coverage in print, online and on air. Organizers also plan to offer limited opportunities for public admission, with details to be announced later.
The April 27 event will follow an April 13 debate co-hosted by South Dakota Public Broadcasting and South Dakota News Watch, which the candidates have also committed to attend.
Rhoden is unlikely to add more than one additional debate to his schedule, according to his campaign, which issued a news release Friday confirming his participation in both the SDPB–News Watch and The Scout–Forum Communications debates, while encouraging media outlets to also host lieutenant governor debates.
“I realize that debates are a crucial tool for South Dakotans to contrast the candidates’ records and their ideas for the state’s future,” Rhoden said in a statement provided to The Scout. “Being governor is a full-time job, and the debates that are scheduled should have a statewide media broadcast to reach the most South Dakotans possible.”
“I would welcome a third gubernatorial debate, and the media outlets should also offer a lieutenant gubernatorial debate, since that position is vitally important for our state’s future, as well,” added Rhoden, who assumed the governor’s office in January following former Gov. Kristi Noem’s resignation.
Other candidates are keeping their options open.
“Rep. Johnson has already committed to two debates and will consider additional opportunities as they arise and as the congressional calendar allows,” a Johnson campaign spokesperson said.
Both Doeden and Hansen say they’re eager to take the debate stage.
“People deserve a chance to see first-hand who they want to be governor,” Doeden said this week. “Voters have been wanting answers to their questions for months now; it’s about time they get them.”
Hansen echoed the sentiment.
“I will adjust my schedule to be available wherever and whenever the other candidates agree to appear to debate the future of South Dakota,” he said.
Title sponsors for the debate include MarketBeat and Houwman Insurance.
I’m not optimistic about this debate; every candidate is a staunch supporter of President Trump and his policies. Dusty has voted for every Trump policy from the OBBB to an incoherent tariff policy that has tanked SD’s agriculture markets. The others all promise the same rubber stamp. Sure Doeden will talk about eliminating property taxes and supporting the little guy, but that’s likely too out there for most Republicans in SD (never say never though, who doesn’t want to not pay property tax . . . except of course those that don’t own property). The real entertainment would come from a debate with a Democratic candidate—I know, only one has declared so far, but some others will no doubt emerge. Yes, a long uphill climb when you don’t have millions of dollars like Dusty and Doeden or the exposure as Speaker of the House like Hansen or as Governor like Rhoden, but after the primaries, I’ll be waiting to see who is willing to debate.
I hope you will also hold a debate after primaries and invite the GOP nominee as well as any democratic or independent.