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.

After years in Washington, Johnson says it’s time to come home and lead, emphasizing family support, public service and a “mission-driven” vision for the state

In 2023, while Kristi Noem was governor of South Dakota, she supplemented her income by secretly accepting a cut of the money she raised for a nonprofit that promotes her political career, tax records show.

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