Can populist GOP overcome South Dakota history?
Hansen-Lems campaign for governor tests political ceiling
The 2026 race for South Dakota governor officially began Thursday night, with House Speaker Jon Hansen and Speaker Pro Tempore Karla Lems launching a joint campaign in Sioux Falls — a campaign that will test the strength of an ascendant wing of the Republican Party.
Their announcement sets a populist tone for the months ahead, positioning the pair as champions of conservative grassroots causes, particularly opposition to carbon pipelines, eminent domain abuse, and abortion expansion. And while their candidacy will find a receptive audience among the party’s increasingly vocal populist wing, it may still face an uphill climb in convincing GOP traditionalists they’re ready for statewide leadership.
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