This article explains how a Republican primary election works in South Dakota for the 2026 governor race. Four candidates are running: Larry Rhoden (the current governor), Toby Doeden (a business owner), Jon Hansen (a state lawmaker), and Dusty Johnson (a congressman). The main issue they're debating is property taxes - how much homeowners have to pay on their houses.
Each candidate has different ideas about how to lower these taxes. Some want to raise sales taxes instead, while others want to eliminate property taxes completely. The election will be held on June 2, 2026.
If no one gets 35% of the votes, the top two candidates will have another election in July. This shows how the democratic process works - voters get to choose their leaders, and candidates must explain their ideas to win support. The article also explains how political experts rate the race and what the candidates' backgrounds are.