2022 South Dakota gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2022 United States gubernatorial elections.

2022 South Dakota gubernatorial election

←  2018 November 8, 2022 2026  →
Turnout	59.40%
Nominee Kristi Noem Jamie Smith Party Republican Democratic Running mate Larry Rhoden Jennifer Healy Keintz Popular vote 217,035 123,148 Percentage 61.98% 35.17%
County results Noem:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90% Smith:     50–60%     70–80%     80–90%
Governor before election Kristi Noem Republican Elected Governor Kristi Noem Republican

The 2022 South Dakota gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, electing the governor of South Dakota. Incumbent Republican governor Kristi Noem defeated Democratic nominee Jamie Smith to win a second term. ^[1]

Despite speculation about this race potentially being competitive, Noem improved on her 2018 performance by 11 percentage points and flipped 17 counties that had been won by Billie Sutton. She also received over 44,000 more raw votes than she did in the previous election, setting a record for the most votes received by a candidate for governor in South Dakota.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Kristi Noem, incumbent governor ^[2]
  • Running mate: Larry Rhoden, incumbent lieutenant governor ^[3]

Eliminated in primary

Former state house speaker Steven Haugaard challenged Noem in the primary but lost.

• Steven Haugaard, state representative and former Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives ^[4]

Declined

• Lora Hubbel, former state representative, former chair of the Minnehaha County Republican Party and the South Dakota Constitution Party, and candidate for governor in 2014 and 2018 ^[5] (running as an independent)
• Mark Mickelson, former Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives ^[6]

Endorsements

Kristi Noem

U.S. Executive Branch officials

• Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States (2017–2021) ^[7]

U.S. representatives

• Dusty Johnson, U.S. representative from South Dakota's at-large congressional district (2019–present) ^[8]

State officials

• Marty Jackley, former attorney general of South Dakota (2009–2019) and candidate for Governor of South Dakota in 2018 ^[9]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [lower-alpha 1]	Margin of error	Steven Haugaard	Kristi Noem	Undecided
South Dakota State University	May 2–15, 2022	– (LV)	± 3.0%	17%	61%	22%

Results

Results by county

  Noem

•   50–60%
•   60–70%
•   70–80%
•   80–90%

Republican primary results ^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Kristi Noem (incumbent)	91,661	76.4
	Republican	Steven Haugaard	28,315	23.6
Total votes			119,976	100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jamie Smith, Minority Leader of the South Dakota House of Representatives ^[11]
  • Running mate: Jennifer Healy Keintz, state representative ^[12]

Declined

• Dan Ahlers, former state representative and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2020 ^[13]
• Remi Bald Eagle, former official for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and nominee for the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission in 2020 ^[14]
• Kooper Caraway, president of the South Dakota Federation of Labor ^[15]
• Troy Heinert, Minority Leader of the South Dakota Senate ^[16]
• Steve Hildebrand, political strategist ^[13]
• Mike Huether, former mayor of Sioux Falls ^[13]
• Brendan Johnson, former U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota and son of former U.S. Senator Tim Johnson ^[17]
• Peri Pourier, state representative ^[14]
• Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, president of Augustana University and former U.S. Representative for South Dakota's at-large congressional district ^[17]
• Randy Seiler, chair of the South Dakota Democratic Party, former U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota, and nominee for attorney general in 2018 ^[18]
• Billie Sutton, former Minority Leader of the South Dakota Senate and nominee for governor in 2018 ^[19]
• Bob Sutton, businessman ^[13]

Libertarian convention

Candidates

Nominee

• Tracey Quint, coordinator ^[20]
  • Running mate: Ashley Strand ^[21]

Independents

Candidates

Withdrew

• Lora Hubbel, former state representative, former chair of the Minnehaha County Republican Party and the South Dakota Constitution Party, and candidate for governor in 2014 and 2018 ^[5] (running for State Senate) ^[21]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report [22]	Solid R	March 4, 2022
Inside Elections [23]	Solid R	March 4, 2022
Sabato's Crystal Ball [24]	Safe R	January 26, 2022
Politico [25]	Likely R	October 3, 2022
RCP [26]	Likely R	September 25, 2022
Fox News [27]	Solid R	May 12, 2022
538 [28]	Solid R	October 5, 2022
Elections Daily [29]	Safe R	November 7, 2022

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [lower-alpha 1]	Margin of error	Kristi Noem (R)	Jamie Smith (D)	Other	Undecided
Emerson College	October 19–21, 2022	1,500 (LV)	± 2.4%	56%	37%	3% [lower-alpha 2]	4%
				57%	39%	4% [lower-alpha 3]	–
South Dakota State University	September 28 – October 10, 2022	565 (RV)	± 4.0%	45%	41%	–	14%

Endorsements

Kristi Noem (R)

U.S. Executive Branch officials

• Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States (2017–2021) ^[7]

U.S. representatives

• Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. representative from Hawaii's 2nd congressional district (2013–2021) (Independent) ^[30]
• Dusty Johnson, U.S. representative from South Dakota's at-large congressional district (2019–present) ^[8]

Statewide officials

• Marty Jackley, former attorney general of South Dakota (2009–2019) and candidate for Governor of South Dakota in 2018 ^[9]
• Glenn Youngkin, Governor of Virginia (2022–present) ^[31]

Organizations

• NRA Political Victory Fund ^{[32] [33]}
• Susan B. Anthony List ^[33]

Results

Swing by county

Legend

•   Democratic — +15-20%
•   Democratic — +10-15%
•   Democratic — +5-10%
•   Democratic — +0-5%
•   Republican — +0-5%
•   Republican — +5-10%
•   Republican — +10-15%
•   Republican — +15-20%
•   Republican — +20-25%
•   Republican — +25-30%
•   Republican — +>30%

Trend by county

Legend

•   Democratic — +15-20%
•   Democratic — +10-15%
•   Democratic — +5-10%
•   Democratic — +0-5%
•   Republican — +0-5%
•   Republican — +5-10%
•   Republican — +10-15%
•   Republican — +15-20%
•   Republican — +20-25%
•   Republican — +25-30%
•   Republican — +>30%

2022 South Dakota gubernatorial election ^[34]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Kristi Noem (incumbent) Larry Rhoden (incumbent)	217,035	61.98%	+11.01%
	Democratic	Jamie Smith Jennifer Healy Keintz	123,148	35.17%	−12.43%
	Libertarian	Tracey Quint Ashley Strand	9,983	2.85%	+1.42%
Total votes			350,166	100.00%	N/A
Turnout			350,166	59.40%
Registered electors			597,073
	Republican hold

By county

By county

County Kristi Noem Republican Jamie Smith Democratic Tracey Quint Libertarian Total votes  % #  % #  % # Aurora 73.64% 894 23.39% 284 2.97% 36 1,214 Beadle 66.84% 3,901 29.40% 1,716 3.75% 219 5,836 Bennett 60.39% 619 35.90% 368 3.71% 38 1,025 Bon Homme 72.52% 1,858 25.37% 650 2.11% 54 2,562 Brookings 56.12% 6,974 41.01% 5,096 2.87% 357 12,427 Brown 60.56% 8,456 37.00% 5,167 2.44% 341 13,964 Brule 69.37% 1,463 27.93% 589 2.70% 57 2,109 Buffalo 36.27% 144 58.94% 234 4.79% 19 397 Butte 76.71% 3,211 19.66% 823 3.63% 152 4,186 Campbell 84.11% 561 13.94% 93 1.95% 13 667 Charles Mix 70.75% 2,187 27.47% 849 1.78% 55 3,091 Clark 76.44% 1,223 21.31% 341 2.25% 36 1,600 Clay 43.29% 2,054 54.39% 2,581 2.32% 110 4,745 Codington 67.87% 7,520 29.36% 3,253 2.77% 307 11,080 Corson 56.25% 522 40.84% 379 2.91% 27 928 Custer 71.56% 3,633 25.47% 1,293 2.97% 151 5,077 Davison 67.51% 4,887 30.10% 2,179 2.39% 173 7,239 Day 63.43% 1,599 34.75% 876 1.82% 46 2,521 Deuel 74.28% 1,479 23.00% 458 2.71% 54 1,991 Dewey 42.06% 662 54.76% 862 3.18% 50 1,574 Douglas 85.71% 1,272 12.67% 188 1.62% 24 1,484 Edmunds 77.66% 1,321 20.34% 346 2.00% 34 1,701 Fall River 73.04% 2,679 23.42% 859 3.54% 130 3,668 Faulk 80.73% 771 17.49% 167 1.78% 17 955 Grant 72.41% 2,328 25.82% 830 1.77% 57 3,215 Gregory 78.77% 1,618 19.13% 393 2.09% 43 2,054 Haakon 90.37% 892 8.31% 82 1.32% 13 987 Hamlin 77.58% 2,118 20.07% 548 2.34% 64 2,730 Hand 78.36% 1,177 19.31% 290 2.33% 35 1,502 Hanson 77.63% 1,267 20.59% 336 1.78% 29 1,632 Harding 93.35% 632 4.87% 33 1.77% 12 677 Hughes 61.38% 4,571 35.61% 2,652 3.01% 224 7,447 Hutchinson 78.99% 2,507 19.03% 604 1.98% 63 3,174 Hyde 80.00% 460 18.43% 106 1.57% 9 575 Jackson 67.79% 623 30.47% 280 1.74% 16 919 Jerauld 69.75% 604 27.48% 238 2.77% 24 866 Jones 83.69% 395 13.56% 64 2.75% 13 472 Kingsbury 70.25% 1,792 27.13% 692 2.63% 67 2,551 Lake 63.05% 3,131 34.64% 1,720 2.31% 115 4,966 Lawrence 63.27% 7,749 33.00% 4,041 3.72% 456 12,247 Lincoln 59.76% 16,828 38.09% 10,727 2.15% 606 28,161 Lyman 66.69% 879 30.73% 405 2.58 34 1,318 Marshall 59.42% 1,123 38.99% 737 1.59% 30 1,890 McCook 72.67% 1,851 24.54% 625 2.79% 71 2,547 McPherson 82.82% 911 15.18% 167 2.00% 22 1,100 Meade 71.46% 8,482 24.32% 2,887 4.22% 501 11,870 Mellette 61.27% 386 33.97% 214 4.76% 30 630 Miner 72.69% 732 24.63% 248 2.68% 27 1,007 Minnehaha 52.53% 39,234 44.69% 33,376 2.77% 2,072 74,682 Moody 62.97% 1,668 34.35% 910 2.68% 71 2,649 Oglala Lakota 8.91% 221 87.58% 2,172 3.51% 87 2,480 Pennington 60.78% 27,586 35.73% 16,215 3.49% 1,587 45,388 Perkins 83.24% 1,142 12.90% 177 3.86% 53 1,372 Potter 81.16% 892 17.02% 187 1.82% 20 1,099 Roberts 60.70% 2,164 36.89% 1,315 2.41% 86 3,565 Sanborn 75.40% 757 22.51% 226 2.09% 21 1,004 Spink 68.61% 1,832 28.65% 765 2.73% 73 2,670 Stanley 69.04% 999 28.13% 407 2.83% 41 1,447 Sully 75.76% 597 21.45% 169 2.79% 22 788 Todd 20.87% 402 74.97% 1,444 4.15% 80 1,926 Tripp 82.58% 1,873 16.05% 364 1.37% 31 2,268 Turner 73.32% 2,834 23.78% 919 2.90% 112 3,865 Union 70.07% 4,723 27.42% 1,848 2.51% 169 6,740 Walworth 76.62% 1,573 20.94% 430 2.44% 50 2,053 Yankton 58.89% 5,247 37.60% 3,350 3.51% 313 8,910 Ziebach 50.51% 345 44.51% 304 4.98% 34 683 Total 61.98% 217,035 35.17% 123,148 2.85% 9,983 350,166 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Bon Homme (largest city: Springfield) Brookings (largest city: Brookings) Brown (largest city: Aberdeen) Charles Mix (largest city: Lake Andes) Corson (largest city: McLaughlin) Day (largest city: Webster) Hughes (largest city: Pierre) Lake (largest city: Madison) Marshall (largest city: Britton) Mellette (largest city: White River) Miner (largest city: Howard) Minnehaha (largest city: Sioux Falls) Moody (largest city: Flandreau) Roberts (largest city: Sisseton) Spink (largest city: Redfield) Yankton (largest city: Yankton) Ziebach (largest city: Dupree)

See also

• 2022 South Dakota elections

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear
2. Quint (L) with 3%
3. Quint (L) with 4%

References

1. Mueller, Julia (November 8, 2022). "Noem wins reelection in South Dakota governor's race". The Hill . Retrieved November 8, 2022.
2. Todd, Annie (November 12, 2021). "South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem announces re-election campaign for 2022 election". Argus Leader . Retrieved November 12, 2021.
3. Ellis, Jonathan (May 24, 2022) [May 23, 2022]. "Gov. Kristi Noem's reelection campaign says it has raised $15 million". Argus Leader . Retrieved August 5, 2022.
4. King, Ryan (November 17, 2021). "Gov. Kristi Noem gets primary challenge from the Right in former state speaker". Washington Examiner . Retrieved November 18, 2021.
5. "Former state Rep. Lora Hubbel running for governor again".
6. Lawrence, Tom (February 15, 2021). "Can Noem be defeated in 2022? History says not a chance ... but her actions as governor could change things". The South Dakota Standard. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
7. Sneve, Joe. "South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem gets endorsement from Donald Trump". www.argusleader.com. Argus Leader . Retrieved February 9, 2022.
8. "Governor Kristi Noem and Congressman Dusty Johnson hitting door-to-door this weekend". dakotawarcollege.com. June 4, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
9. "Former political rivals Noem & Jackley endorse each other for upcoming elections". www.dakotanewsnow.com. February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
10. "2022 Primary Election Official State Canvass Results" (PDF). Secretary of State of South Dakota . June 14, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
11. Sneve, Joe. "Democrat Jamie Smith to run for governor in 2022 election". www.argusleader.com. Argus Leader . Retrieved February 2, 2022.
12. Sneve, Joe (July 7, 2022). "Jamie Smith taps Aberdeen-area lawmaker as running mate on Democratic ticket for governor". Argus Leader . Retrieved August 4, 2022.
13. Sneve, Joe (June 9, 2021). "Analysis: Who will challenge Gov. Kristi Noem in South Dakota's 2022 election? Here are potential candidates". Argus Leader . Retrieved June 20, 2021.
14. Vondracek, Christopher (June 9, 2021). "A party waits for Billie Sutton: South Dakota Democrats mull if former legislator will force a '22 rematch with Gov. Noem". www.thedickinsonpress.com. The Dickinson Press . Retrieved November 26, 2021.
15. Mercer, Bob (June 18, 2018). "Democrats favor Seiler over Means". Capitol Journal. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
16. "South Dakota Minority Leader Heinert passes on run for Governor, joining private sector after term". December 16, 2021.
17. Lawrence, Tom (November 29, 2020). "Is it just a South Dakota political legend or eerie fate: Will Sen. John Thune end the 'Curse of Karl' in 2022?". The South Dakota Standard . Retrieved January 18, 2021.
18. Lawrence, Tom (January 29, 2022). "Democrats set to announce gubernatorial candidate". Black Hills Pioneer . Retrieved January 29, 2022.
19. Woster, Kevin (February 23, 2022). "Sutton's political time will come again, but not just yet". South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
20. "Libertarian House candidate, Sturgis rancher Collin Duprel: I am running to give South Dakota voters a choice".
21. "2022 General Election". South Dakota Secretary of State. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
22. "2022 Governor Race Ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
23. "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved February 19, 2021.
24. "2022 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
25. "South Dakota Governor Race 2022". Politico. April 1, 2022.
26. "2022 Governor Races". RCP. January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
27. "2022 Election Forecast". Fox News. May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
28. "2022 Election Forecast". FiveThirtyEight. June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
29. Szymanski, Joe (November 7, 2022). "Elections Daily Unveils Final 2022 Midterm Ratings". Elections Daily. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
30. "Glenn Youngkin, Tulsi Gabbard to campaign for South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem". October 28, 2022.
31. "Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin to stump for Gov. Kristi Noem's reelection campaign in Sioux Falls".
32. "South Dakota Grades & Endorsements". nrapvf.org. NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
33. "Kristi Noem's Ratings and Endorsements". justfacts.votesmart.org. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
34. "2022 General Election Official State Canvass Results" (PDF). sdsos.gov.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Kristi Noem (R) for Governor
• Tracey Quint (L) for Governor Archived August 8, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
• Jamie Smith (D) for Governor Archived February 24, 2022, at the Wayback Machine