South Dakota governor polls

Name: South Dakota governor’s race 2026 — PolitiKool polling average
Creator: PolitiKool
License: https://politikool.com/about

Ahlers (D) vs. Rhoden (R)

Larry Rhoden leads the 2026 South Dakota governor race by 11.7 points in PolitiKool's polling average, as of Oct. 17, 2026.

Ahlers 37.2%, Rhoden 48.9%.
1 poll from 1 pollster, weighted by recency, sample size, pollster record and partisan sponsorship.
Rated Safe R, combining the average with the Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball and Inside Elections.
The seat is held by Larry Rhoden (R).

South Dakota governor polling average

Dan Ahlers37.2%

Larry Rhoden48.9%

MarginRhoden +11.7

Average as of Oct. 17, 2026 · — Dan Ahlers · — Larry Rhoden

Race ratingsCook Solid RIE Solid RSabato Safe R

Dates	Pollster	Sample	Ahlers	Rhoden	Margin
Oct. 6–8	Concord Public Opinion Partners (partisan)	400 LV	38%	48%	Rhoden +10