Podcast: Previewing South Dakota’s first-ever statewide runoff election with journalist Kevin Woster
Jun 05, 2026 | 1:59 pm ET
Description
A ballot box at the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance in Sioux Falls, as seen during a primary election on June 2, 2026. (Photo by John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)
Searchlight Report is a podcast from South Dakota Searchlight. Reporter and host Meghan O’Brien works with other Searchlight journalists to take listeners inside politics and policy in The Mount Rushmore State.
Longtime South Dakota journalist and Searchlight commentary writer Kevin Woster joins Searchlight Report host Meghan O’Brien to discuss the race for South Dakota’s Republican nomination for governor. The race is headed for South Dakota’s first-ever top two runoff in a statewide contest. No candidate reached the 35% of voters needed to secure a win Tuesday night.
Advance voting for the runoff will begin June 10. Voter registration is open until July 13. The runoff election is July 28. The winner will face Democrat Dan Ahlers in November.
To learn more about the top two Republican candidates, check out our prior episodes on Gov. Larry Rhoden and businessman Toby Doeden. You can read Woster’s commentary on the four-candidate race now at southdakotasearchlight.com.
Click here to access a transcript for this week’s episode.
Pierre, SD
