Donald Trump Endorses Governor Larry Rhoden for Re-election

President Donald Trump issued a "Complete and Total Endorsement" of Republican Governor Larry Rhoden for the 2026 South Dakota gubernatorial race on August 27. Posting via Truth Social, Trump praised Rhoden's record on border security, tax cuts, and the Second Amendment, stating that Rhoden "will never let you down."

Trump remained neutral during the June 2 four-candidate primary and the July 28 runoff, in which Rhoden defeated Toby Doeden. Rhoden assumed the governorship after Kristi Noem resigned to lead the Department of Homeland Security. Following the endorsement, Rhoden expressed his commitment to working with the Trump administration to keep South Dakota "strong, safe, and free."

Rhoden will face Democratic nominee and former legislator Dan Ahlers in the general election on November 3. Ahlers, who previously received an endorsement from former President Joe Biden, responded by stating that the endorsement of the people of South Dakota matters most to him. Ahlers criticized the focus on "political trophies" over policy priorities, arguing that the state needs a change in priorities.