Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) announced on June 30, 2025, that he will run for governor of South Dakota in 2026 rather than another term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Incumbent Gov. Larry Rhoden (R) became governor after Kristi Noem (R) resigned to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security in President Donald Trump’s (R) second presidential administration. According to The Hill’s Caroline Vakil, Rhoden has not announced if he will run for a full term in office.

As of July 1, 2025, independent race forecasters The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections have rated the 2026 general election for the seat Solid Republican. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated it Safe Republican.

In a video announcing his campaign, Johnson said, “By governing with conservative values we can create new jobs, start new businesses, and unlock opportunity in every corner of South Dakota. It’s going to take hard work, a real plan, South Dakota common sense, and solid leadership.”

In 2018, Johnson ran for his first term in the House in South Dakota’s At-Large Congressional District after Noem—who represented the district then—announced she would not seek re-election. Johnson defeated Timothy Bjorkman (D) 60% to 36% in the general election. 

Johnson ran without major party opposition in 2020 and 2022. In 2024, when he faced major party opposition, Johnson won by 44 percentage points.

As of July 1, 2025, The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections have rated the 2026 general election for the seat Solid Republican. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated it Safe Republican.

As of June 30, 2025, 23 members of the U.S. Congress—seven senators and 16 representatives—have announced they will not seek re-election to their current seats in 2026.

Of the 16 representatives—seven Democrats and nine Republicans—not seeking re-election:

• Three—two Democrats and one Republican—are retiring from public office.
• Seven—five Democrats and two Republicans—are running for the U.S. Senate.
• Six—all Republicans—are running for governor.

Compared to the last four election cycles, there were 11 retirement announcements at this point in 2024, 14 in 2022, seven in 2020, and nine in 2018.

Between January 2011 and June 30, 2025, Ballotpedia followed 370 announcements from Senate and House members who announced they would not seek re-election. January had seen the highest number of announcements of any month at 69. The fewest announcements took place in August at 15.