South Dakota governor, challenger both slam Trump on beef imports but clash on other debate topics

HURON — Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden and Democratic challenger Dan Ahlers both criticized President Donald Trump on Saturday during a debate at the South Dakota State Fair, with Rhoden saying he agrees with Trump on other issues but could not support the president’s decision to import more foreign beef.

“I thought he was wrongheaded in his logic, and the things that came out of that administration trying to defend it, I think, were weak,” Rhoden said.

Trump endorsed Rhoden last month. Rhoden said he plans to press U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to create an advisory committee so Trump has better information “before he makes decisions like that and then gets in front of a microphone.”

“He’s kind of an impulsive guy,” Rhoden said.

Trump announced last month that he would pause tariffs on imported beef, which he said would bring prices down for consumers and allow U.S. ranchers to build up their herds from historically low levels. The backlash from U.S. cattle ranchers was swift.

Ahlers said the announcement was not the first time the Trump administration suggested importing more foreign beef, and Ahlers said the state has to be “a stronger advocate for our farmers and ranchers.” He said that means working with South Dakota’s congressional delegation to apply more pressure on Trump.

The two candidates disagreed on several other issues during the debate, which was their first since each of them won their respective party’s nomination. The debate was hosted on the fair’s Freedom Stage by the South Dakota Farmers Union.

Economic development spending

Ahlers said the governor’s economic development office has favored recruiting out-of-state companies over funding homegrown ventures. He said a Wakonda hemp producer built a hemp-based concrete plant in another state after failing to secure incentives to build it in South Dakota.

“Those are companies that are in our hometowns, that make our hometowns better, that pay better, and have people that invest right back here in South Dakota,” Ahlers said.

Rhoden said roughly 85% of the office’s economic development dollars stay in South Dakota. He said the department supported the three largest economic development projects in state history during the past several years: the Smithfield pork plant being relocated from downtown to northern Sioux Falls, CJ Schwan’s breaking ground in that city on a food production plant, and a new soybean crushing plant in Mitchell.

“We do a lot to promote ag,” Rhoden said.

The archived livestream of the Sept. 5, 2026, debate at the South Dakota State Fair between Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden and Democratic nominee for governor Dan Ahlers. (Courtesy of South Dakota Farmers Union)

On Medicaid expansion

A state constitutional amendment placed on the Nov. 3 ballot by the Legislature would repeal the requirement to offer expanded Medicaid eligibility if federal funding for it drops below 90%.

Medicaid is a federal-state health insurance program for people with low incomes. In 2022, South Dakota voters expanded Medicaid eligibility from traditional coverage groups such as children, disabled people and the elderly to adults with incomes up to 138% of the poverty level. About 31,000 South Dakotans are enrolled through the expansion, out of a total of about 143,000 South Dakotans enrolled in Medicaid, according to data from the state Department of Social Services.

Ahlers said that after voters approved Medicaid expansion, Republican lawmakers are trying to undo the people’s will. He warned that rolling back Medicaid eligibility would threaten the financial viability of rural hospitals, maternity units and emergency rooms. He noted a majority of Medicaid recipients are children.

“We know that when we have healthcare, and everyone has access to it, we all do better,” Ahlers said.

Rhoden said the ballot measure would only remove the requirement to continue with expanded eligibility if federal funding drops below 90%. He opposed expansion, he said, over concerns about the federal government one day pulling funding.

“When we have $40 trillion in debt in our nation, you can bet the feds are going to be kicking that down to the states,” Rhoden said.

Separating ag and environment departments

Former Gov. Kristi Noem merged the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources by executive order, creating the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Ahlers said he would restore a standalone Department of Agriculture with its own secretary.

“These two departments have different missions, although they do work together on projects,” Ahlers said. “It is important that each has their own voice and a seat at the table.”

Rhoden defended the merger, saying criticisms that it supported agriculture at the expense of environmental protection were unfair.

“Nobody on the planet has a more vested interest in protecting our environment and our natural resources, and the sustainability of our ag land, than the people that are producing on that ag land,” Rhoden said.

Rhoden, of rural Union Center, has been governor since early 2025, when he was elevated from lieutenant governor after then-Gov. Noem resigned to take a job in the Trump administration. Ahlers is a businessman and former legislator from Dell Rapids.

The two candidates will face each other in the general election Nov. 3. Advance voting begins Sept. 18, and the voter registration deadline is Oct. 19.