Dusty Johnson is the chairman of the Main Street Caucus. His at-large seat, which will be left vacant, is rated "solid Republican."

The announcement confirms what many throughout the state have expected for months, if not years. He joins a growing field in the Republican primary slated for June of 2026.

GOP Rep. Dusty Johnson entered the race Monday for South Dakota governor, as Gov. Larry Rhoden (R) has yet to announce whether he will run for reelection. “South Dakota is a special place where hard work, conservative common sense and firm handshakes are a way of life,” Johnson says in an ad posted on YouTube.

South Dakota’s lone member of the U.S. House of Representatives is seeking to trade in his Washington, D.C. office for the governor’s office in Pierre.

Rep. Dusty Johnson is holding an event for an announcement that will start at 11:45 a.m. CDT/ 10:45 a.m. MDT from the Canopy by Hilton in downtown Sioux Falls. Johnson is expected to start speaking at 12pm CDT/11am MDT.

Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson, South Dakota’s sole member of the House, announced he’s running for governor in 2026.