South Dakota At large
Dusty Johnson (R) gave up the seat to run for governor. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.DiscussNikki Gronli
Democrat · former USDA rural development director, Democratic nominee
No gradeNo grade yetI have no votes in Congress to count for Gronli, and what Gronli has said and done settles only 2 of my principles. I went through it on October 30. A grade needs 4.
Marty Jackley
Republican · South Dakota attorney general, Republican nominee
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Jackley has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Jackley.
Raised $1,737,520 since January 2025: 82% from people, 17% from PACs and other committees, 1% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Voting in South Dakota: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Nikki Gronli, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Gronli, so the grade above comes from this list: what Gronli has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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In a TV report on a candidate exchange she said the Iran war was launched without a plan.
“With the Iran war, we did not go in with a plan, and that is very clear at this point in time,”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Criticising how the war was run, with no policy, bill or vote named, does not settle the measure.
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She said getting out of the Iran war needs diplomacy with other partners involved.
“Diplomacy is going to be key to getting out of this. This isn't probably an Iran and America diplomacy negotiation.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Diplomacy with no deal, sanctions relief or terms named does not settle the measure.
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Calls for removing tariffs on critical farm inputs to lower costs.
“Remove tariffs on critical farm inputs to lower costs.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Cutting a named tariff, which is a tax on imports, follows the lower-taxes rule.
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Said tariffs add to what families pay when prices are already high.
“$820 is too much for families to take on when grocery prices are high, gas is high, and everybody's concerned.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing the broad tariffs follows the measure, which counts broad tariffs on the against side.
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Said the money spent on ICE has shifted toward an organisation she called brutalizing, while saying she does not want to dismantle the agency.
“I feel like we have a misalignment with the way we're using our dollars, and it's been shifted towards an organization that's brutalizing and has even killed American citizens.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Opposing ICE enforcement and wanting spending moved away from deportations is on the against side of the measure.
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In a debate report she said she wants Congress to look at worker visa programs because farms and dairies cannot fill jobs without immigrant labour.
“I want Congress to take up looking at the visa programs that we have for workers”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A review of worker visas, with no amnesty, wall or deportation policy named, does not settle the measure.
Marty Jackley, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Jackley, so the grade above comes from this list: what Jackley has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Said regime change is needed in Iran for lasting stability and backed the US and Israeli strikes.
“For there to bring a level of stability in Iran, it's going to take a regime change,”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing action against the regime in Iran and calling for its replacement follows the maximum pressure rule.
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Said America is safer because of the military action against the Islamic Republic.
“My position is clear that I think America is much safer.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing American military action against the Islamic Republic follows the rule on supporting action against its programme.
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Said tariffs should be targeted and built with input from Congress.
“My position has always been that it has to be targeted,”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
He backs targeted tariffs, not broad ones, so the words do not settle the measure.
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As attorney general, Jackley said a Supreme Court ruling upholding South Dakota's sex-based girls' sports law protects female athletes.
“This ruling protects our female athletes,”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping women's sport female is with liberty on equal rights.
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Jackley wrote to Congress asking it to keep protections for women college athletes in a bill, and said he has long held that men should not play in women's sports.
“I have long advocated that men should not be allowed to play in women sports,”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping women's sport female is with liberty on equal rights.
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Said he is running to help rebuild the national defense.
“It has become clear that President Trump needs more true conservative allies in Congress to strengthen our economy, secure our borders, rebuild our national defense, reduce the size of government, and cut taxes for hard working Americans.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Rebuilding the national defense is with liberty on defense.
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Calls to secure the border and finish the wall.
“Secure the border, finish the wall, and let law enforcement do its job.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border and building the wall are on the with side of the measure.
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Said the state's relationship with ICE is essential.
“I'm a former U.S. attorney and an attorney general, and the relationship we have with ICE is essential,”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Defending cooperation with ICE follows the rule on enforcing the law.
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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South Dakota At large
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