Gubernatorial Candidates Rhoden, Ahlers Spar Over Agriculture, Education, Health Care

September 7, 2026 - 03:21

The race for South Dakota's governor is sharpening into a focused debate over the state's future, with Republican Larry Rhoden and Democrat Jamie Ahlers trading blows on agriculture policy, education funding, and the direction of rural health care. The two candidates, who are vying to lead the state through a period of economic transition, found little common ground during a recent exchange that highlighted their starkly different visions.

Ahlers, a former lawmaker from Dell Rapids, took direct aim at the current administration's approach to economic development in the agricultural sector. He argued that too much of the money allocated for rural growth has been funneled into large-scale projects with little return for family farms. Ahlers claimed the state has neglected value-added processing opportunities that could keep more of the food dollar in South Dakota, instead relying on outdated recruitment tactics that fail to address the shrinking number of independent producers.

Rhoden pushed back, defending the state's record on business expansion and pointing to recent investments in livestock infrastructure and renewable fuels. He stressed that his priority is cutting red tape for farmers and ranchers, not expanding government programs. On education, the two diverged further, with Ahlers calling for a significant boost in teacher pay funded by closing corporate tax loopholes, while Rhoden insisted that local control and existing budget efficiencies are the answer to keeping schools staffed.

Health care emerged as the most personal issue of the debate. Ahlers warned that rural hospitals are on life support, citing closure risks in several western counties. He proposed expanding Medicaid eligibility further to stabilize those facilities. Rhoden countered that the state needs more innovative private-sector solutions, including telehealth and nurse practitioner training, rather than relying on federal dollars. With the election approaching, the contrast between the candidates offers voters a clear choice on how to manage the state's most pressing challenges.