Chamber Advocate: 2026 General Election Recap

South Dakota and the entire nation held general elections on Nov. 3. The Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Public Policy team wanted to provide an update on how things look at the state and local levels following the 2026 general election. There were also four statewide ballot measures considered.

Statewide Offices

Governor

Gov. Larry Rhoden (R) and his running mate, Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen, won the race for South Dakota’s executive office. Rhoden took over as governor of South Dakota in January 2025 and has now won his first election for governor. Rhoden and Venhuizen will serve a four-year term.

U.S. Senate

Sen. Mike Rounds (R) won his reelection campaign to remain one of South Dakota’s U.S. senators in Washington, D.C. Rounds was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014 and will remain in office for another six years.

U.S. House

Attorney General Marty Jackley (R) won South Dakota’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Jackley will begin his first term in Congress and serve a two-year term.

Constitutional Offices

• Secretary of State: Heather Baxter (R)

• Attorney General: Lance Russell (R)

• State Auditor: Catherine Barranco (R)

• State Treasurer: Melissa Hull (R)

• Commissioner of School and Public Lands: Brock Greenfield (R)

• Public Utilities Commissioner: Don Haggar (R)

South Dakota Legislature

The blue wave trend we saw nationally also had an impact on South Dakota’s legislative makeup. Previously, the South Dakota House had 65 Republicans and five Democrats. Following the general election, the new House will include 59 Republicans (-6), 10 Democrats (+5) and one independent (+1).

In the South Dakota Senate, we did not see much change. Previously, there were 32 Republicans and three Democrats. Following the general election, the Senate will be composed of 33 Republicans (+1) and two Democrats (-1).

Minnehaha County Offices

County Commission

• Brent Hoffman (R)

• Jen Bleyenberg (R)

• Kenny Anderson Jr. (D)

County Auditor

• Leah Anderson (R)

Statewide Ballot Questions

Constitutional Amendment I: An amendment to the South Dakota Constitution that repeals expanded Medicaid coverage if federal funding for the program drops below 90%.

Failed (Yes 44% / No 56%)

Constitutional Amendment J: An amendment to the South Dakota Constitution clarifying that an individual must be a citizen of the United States to be eligible to vote.

Passed (Yes 62% / No 38%)

Constitutional Amendment K: An amendment to the South Dakota Constitution establishing the Trust for Unclaimed Property Fund.

Passed (Yes 61% / No 39%)

Constitutional Amendment L: An amendment to the South Dakota Constitution requiring that a proposed constitutional amendment or revision receive an affirmative vote of 60% of the votes cast.

Failed (Yes 42% / No 58%)

For more information on the election results and the Chamber’s public policy efforts, visit our Advocacy page.