Previewing South Dakota’s first-ever statewide runoff election with journalist Kevin Woster

Previewing South Dakota’s first-ever statewide runoff election with journalist Kevin Woster

Longtime South Dakota journalist and Searchlight commentary writer Kevin Woster [https://southdakotasearchlight.com/author/kevinwoster/] 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 [https://southdakotasearchlight.com/podcasts/ep-16-we-owe-it-to-society-to-rehabilitate-inmates-gov-rhoden-says-amid-campaign-debates-about-prison/] and businessman Toby Doeden [https://southdakotasearchlight.com/podcasts/ep-15-how-governor-candidate-toby-doeden-says-hell-phase-out-property-taxes/]. You can read Woster's commentary [https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2026/06/03/votes-that-cost-johnson-in-the-primary-will-stand-up-well-to-the-scrutiny-of-history/] on the four-candidate race now at southdakotasearchlight.com [https://southdakotasearchlight.com].

What South Dakotans need to know about new laws and their rights before they vote in the primary election

In this episode of Searchlight Report, host and reporter Meghan O’Brien talks with Samantha Chapman of the American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota about the things voters need to know for the primary election: why they might have something to vote on even if they think they don’t, what to do when their rights are questioned, what to know about new laws regarding citizenship, why it’s smart to bring a sample ballot, and more.  The Republican nominations for governor and U.S. House and Senate are all up for grabs, and many voters will have other items on their ballot such as legislative primaries and races for city, school and county offices. The primary election is Tuesday, June 2. Voters can use the secretary of state’s Voter Information Portal [https://vip.sdsos.gov/VIPLogin.aspx] to find their polling place and view a sample ballot. Voters can also track their absentee ballot through the portal. More information is available in South Dakota Searchlight’s Voter Guide [https://southdakotasearchlight.com/voter-guides/2026-primary-election/].

How governor candidate Dusty Johnson says he would ‘strike the right balance’ on data centers

In this special edition of the Searchlight Report, host Meghan O’Brien interviews U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson [https://southdakotasearchlight.com/tag/dusty-johnson/], one of four people running for the Republican nomination for governor of South Dakota. In a series of four episodes [https://southdakotasearchlight.com/tag/2026-gop-governor-primary-interviews/], O’Brien asked all four candidates [https://southdakotasearchlight.com/voter-guides/contests/2026-republican-gubernatorial-primary/] the same set of questions on topics including abortion, relationships with tribal nations, climate change, taxes and Medicaid. She also asked each candidate to share a “big idea” for South Dakota. South Dakota’s primary election [https://southdakotasearchlight.com/voter-guides/2026-primary-election/] is June 2.

Governor candidate Jon Hansen calls state’s approach to economic development a ‘breeding ground of corruption’

In this special edition of the Searchlight Report, host Meghan O’Brien interviews Jon Hansen [https://southdakotasearchlight.com/tag/jon-hansen/], speaker of the state House and one of four people running [https://southdakotasearchlight.com/voter-guides/contests/2026-republican-gubernatorial-primary/] for the Republican nomination for governor of South Dakota. In a series of four episodes, O’Brien asked all four candidates the same set of questions on topics including abortion, relationships with tribal nations, climate change, taxes and Medicaid. She also asked each candidate to share a “big idea” for South Dakota. South Dakota’s primary election is June 2. EDITOR'S NOTE: Hansen's campaign said a noticeable irregularity in the quality of his voice during this episode was due to "minor technical difficulties."

‘We owe it to society’ to rehabilitate inmates, Gov. Larry Rhoden says amid campaign debates about prisons

In this special edition of the Searchlight Report, host Meghan O’Brien interviews Gov. Larry Rhoden [https://southdakotasearchlight.com/tag/larry-rhoden/], one of four people [https://southdakotasearchlight.com/voter-guides/contests/2026-republican-gubernatorial-primary/] running for the Republican nomination for governor of South Dakota. In a series of four episodes, O’Brien asked all four candidates the same set of questions on topics including abortion, relationships with tribal nations, climate change, taxes and Medicaid. She also asked each candidate to share a “big idea” for South Dakota. South Dakota’s primary election is June 2.