Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
13.1%
27.4%
24.7%
18.4%
South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
$861.9K
JUL 29, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age40 years old (Dec 30, 1985)
GenderMale
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LocationSouth Dakota
BackgroundAttorney
EducationSoutheast Technical Institute (Business Administration, associate degree)
Notable personal detailsJon Hansen is a Republican attorney and politician who represents South Dakota House District 25 and serves as Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives. He previously served in the House from 2011–2013 and returned in 2019, including leadership roles such as House Judiciary Committee chair and speaker pro tempore. He earned business degrees from Southeast Technical Institute and the University of Sioux Falls and a law degree from the University of South Dakota. In 2026, he filed to run for the Republican nomination for Governor of South Dakota.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgjonhansenforhouse.comhansenlems2026.comsdsos.govwikidata.orgsdgop.comsodakgovs.comsouthdakotasearchlight.comsdpb.orgdrgnews.comdakotanewsnow.comsdnewswatch.orgpolitics1.comthefreedomindex.orgbhfs.comsdcfr.sdsos.govmylrc.sdlegislature.govkotatv.comkbhbradio.comwashingtonpost.comapnews.comrepbio.orgdakotafreepress.comdakotawarcollege.comopen.pluralpolicy.comktwb.comamericanprinciplesproject.orginstagram.comfacebook.comcbsnews.comthedakotascout.compbs.orgnewscenter1.tvmitchellrepublic.comaol.comkeloland.comballotpedia.orgx.comballotready.orggovinfo.govcongress.govnga.orghistory.house.govhouse.govnass.orgepw.senate.govjudiciary.senate.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Jon Hansen advocates for lower taxes, including substantial reductions in property taxes, opposes corporate welfare and supports lower regulation and free-market solutions. He emphasizes fiscal restraint and replacing tax revenue reductions with spending reforms rather than new taxes.
Healthcare
The candidate has supported measures to restrict or add limits to Medicaid expansion in South Dakota and has described such measures as protecting taxpayers; no evidence was found that he supports major public expansions like Medicare for All or a public option.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Jon Hansen opposes abortion and has a long record of sponsoring and supporting legislation to restrict abortion access. He is a leader with South Dakota Right to Life, co-founded the anti-abortion Life Defense Fund, and has supported measures aimed at blocking or reversing abortion-rights initiatives in the state. His legislative actions have included bills and resolutions that seek criminal penalties and stricter limits on abortion-related activity.
Climate & Energy
Prioritizes property rights and has opposed use of eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipeline projects; emphasizes preserving family farms and state heritage while advancing conservative energy and economic policies. Policy activity focuses on limiting government authority over land and opposing large carbon pipeline projects rather than endorsing aggressive emissions regulations or Green New Deal–style measures.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate supports robust Second Amendment protections, including permitless/concealed-carry policies and opposition to new firearm restrictions. The candidate has received high ratings/endorsements from pro-gun groups and frames gun rights as part of preserving individual freedoms and public safety.
Polls
South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Jon Hansen for South Dakota Republican Governor nominee?
Charles and Heather Maude
Elected official
Charles and Heather Maude endorsed Jon Hansen for governor.
American Principles Project PAC
Elected official
American Principles Project PAC endorsed Jon Hansen for governor of South Dakota.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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