Dusty Johnson launches South Dakota governor campaign

South Dakota GOP Rep. Dusty Johnson on Monday officially launched his campaign for governor.

Johnson, the chair of the House GOP’s Main Street Caucus, who has served in Congress since 2019, touted Republican wins in Washington since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in his announcement.

“We rolled up our sleeves and got things moving in the right direction, cutting trillions in wasteful spending, standing with President Trump to secure our border and finally getting tough on China,” he said in a video announcement Monday.

Blue Light News reported on Johnson’s plans to enter the race last week. Johnson won his most recent statewide race against Democrat Sheryl Johnson with 72 percent of the vote.

“It’s gonna take hard work,” he said. “A real plan, South Dakota common sense and solid conservative leadership.”

Kristi Noem, who served as South Dakota governor for nearly two terms after her election in 2018, left the state when Trump tapped her to serve as Director of Homeland Security after his reelection. Larry Rhoden, who ascended to the post following her resignation in January, hasn’t yet committed to running for reelection.