South Dakota Secretary of State backs Democrat over GOP rival for 2026 race

South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson, a Republican-aligned incumbent, publicly endorsed Democratic nominee Terrence Davis for the upcoming secretary of state election. Johnson’s backing comes after she was defeated by state representative Heather Baxter at the June Republican convention, where delegates chose Baxter 59% to 40%. In her endorsement, Johnson cited her ten-year tenure and argued that Davis is best prepared to safeguard the office with seriousness and integrity.

Davis thanked Johnson on Facebook, acknowledging their differing party affiliations but valuing her confidence. Baxter, emphasizing election integrity, defended the convention’s decision, while Republican House Speaker Jon Hansen condemned Johnson’s cross-party endorsement as a mistake. The race also includes Libertarian candidate Tamara Lesnar, with the contest set for Nov. 3, 2026.