A new Republican primary poll of the open Governor’s campaign was just released in advance of the June 5th nomination election, and it appears that at-large US Rep. Kristi Noem (R-Castlewood) and Attorney General Marty Jackley are locked in a virtual tie as the candidates enter the stretch run.   Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy surveyed the South Dakota Republican electorate (5/21-23; 625 SD GOP likely Republican primary voters) and found Rep. Noem clinging to a bare 45-44% lead over AG Jackley.  The eventual Republican nominee will be a heavy favorite to replace term-limited Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R) in the general election.

--Jim Ellis

A budding primary contest between at-large US Rep. Kristi Noem (R-Castlewood) and Attorney General Marty Jackley is underway culminating in a June 5th election, and Moore Information went into the Republican field to test the gubernatorial candidates.  The survey (2/8; 300 SD likely Republican primary voters) found Ms. Noem opening with a 40-35% edge over the Attorney General.  Two other candidates were tested, but neither could surpass 5% support. 
 
This first public data suggests what most political observers have been saying: that the primary race will be close and hard fought.  The eventual Republican nominee will become a prohibitive favorite to succeed Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R) in the November election.  Mr. Daugaard is ineligible to seek a third term.

--Jim Ellis

Secretary of State Shantel Krebs (R) joined the forming field of candidates for what will be an open statewide contest for South Dakota’s lone US House seat.  Ms. Krebs joins former Public Utilities Commissioner Dusty Johnson in the GOP race.   Incumbent Rep. Kristi Noem (R-Castlewood) is an announced candidate for Governor.  The seat will remain Republican, so all the action is expected to be in the GOP primary.  South Dakota does have a run-off law, so if no candidate receives at least 35% of the vote the top two finishers will advance to a secondary election.

The speculated upon Republican gubernatorial battle between at-large Rep. Kristi Noem (R-Castlewood) and Attorney General Marty Jackley is about to begin in earnest.  Rep. Noem is an announced candidate for Governor.  Mr. Jackley has not made a formal declaration of candidacy, but his social media posts are now proclaiming his campaign for the state’s top office.  Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R) is ineligible to seek a third term.