RED WAVE IN SOUTH DAKOTA: Republicans Sweep Statewide and Federal Races in 2026 Midterms

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PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota voters delivered a decisive victory for the Republican Party in the 2026 general election, completing a sweep of all nine statewide constitutional offices as well as both federal contests on the ballot.

With all 671 precincts fully reported on Wednesday morning, unofficial results from the South Dakota Secretary of State confirmed that GOP candidates maintained the party’s long-standing hold across the Mount Rushmore State. Overall voter turnout reached 49.37%, with 310,298 ballots cast among 628,563 registered voters across the state.

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Top of the Ticket: Federal Contests

At the top of the ballot, Republican incumbent Mike Rounds secured a third term in the U.S. Senate, garnering 184,571 votes (60.5%) to defeat Independent challenger Brian Bengs, who received 120,484 votes (39.5%).

In the race for South Dakota’s single seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Republican Marty Jackley achieved a victory with 195,570 votes (64%), defeating Democratic nominee Nicole “Nikki” Gronli, who tallied 109,967 votes (36%).

Executive and Constitutional Offices

The executive branch will remain firmly under Republican leadership as Governor Larry Rhoden and running mate Tony Venhuizen defeated the Democratic ticket of Dan Ahlers and Steven McCleerey. The Rhoden-Venhuizen ticket captured 193,317 votes (63.5%) to Ahlers’ 111,131 votes (36.5%).