First into the race: Hansen running for SD governor

First into the race: Hansen running for SD governor

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — South Dakota has its first announced ticket for governor and lieutenant governor in 2026. Republican Rep. Jon Hansen said Thursday evening he is running for governor with Republican Rep. Karla Lems as his running mate. The 39-year-old lawyer, who represents Minnehaha and Moody Counties in the state legislature, currently serves as speaker of the state House of Representatives. Lems serves as speaker pro tempore. W…

After playing coy, Hansen-Lems ticket for governor confirmed

DELL RAPIDS — Any remaining doubt that South Dakota Speaker Jon Hansen has his eyes on the governor’s mansion is gone.The Dell Rapids Republican and his No. 2 in the Legislature — Speaker Pro Tempore Karla Lems — on Wednesday confirmed they’re running as a ticket for South Dakota’s top two executive offices in the 2026 election.Hansen will seek the governorship, with Lems, of Canton, running for lieutenant governor. Their joint announcement come…