Democratic candidate for governor plans to lean on South Dakota’s ‘core values’

By: John Hult

Outlets: South Dakota Searchlight

Published: February 11, 2026

Words: 1,080

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

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SIOUX FALLS — Bringing a Democrat back to the South Dakota Governor’s Office will mean building a coalition of support for education, small business, family farms and affordable health care, the party’s highest-profile entrant into the 2026 governor’s race said Tuesday.

Dan Ahlers, executive director of the state Democratic Party and a three-term former state lawmaker, announced his candidacy via press release Monday.

On Tuesday, Ahlers made a more public announcement at the downtown library …

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