South Dakota Republican candidates dominate election slate

November 9, 2022
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–It was a dominating performance for Republican Party candidates at the polls in South Dakota on Election Day Tuesday.

It started at the top, where Senator John Thune and Congressman Dusty Johnson eased to victory over lesser known, and lesser funded opponents.

The dominance continued into the governor’s race, where Kristi Noem easily outdistanced Democrat Jamie Smith. Noem finished with more than 60-percent of the vote in a race that one poll tried to make South Dakotans believe was close. An SDSU poll that came out last month showed Noem the favorite by four points. That poll information can be found here: https://www.sdstate.edu/news/2022/10/race-governor-tighter-many-expected?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=245b4376-8c07-4f91-8539-23effefd118e

Ultimately, the margin of victory was closer to 30 points. South Dakota hasn’t had a Democrat governor in more than forty years.

Republicans swept every statewide office on the ballot; treasurer, auditor, commissioner of school and public lands, and public utilities commissioner all went red.
Voters chose to expand Medicaid in South Dakota, but defeated an initiated measure to legalize marijuana.

Locally, voters chose Republicans Hugh Bartels and Byron Callies to serve in the state house. Republicans Lee Gabel and Myron Johnson were re-elected to the Codington County Commission.

Judge Bob Spears won a tight race over Michael Moore for seat on the bench in the Third Judicial District. That margin of victory was just two points.

Find statewide election results by clicking here: https://electionresults.sd.gov/default.aspx