Highlights from the final GOP South Dakota Governor Debate - Rapid City, South Dakota | News, Weather and Sports
News ClipNewsCenter1·SD·4/27/2026
During the final South Dakota Republican gubernatorial debate, candidates discussed various state issues including their stances on data center development. U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson proposed a framework for selectively welcoming data centers based on specific conditions, while Toby Doeden expressed strong opposition over concerns about the state's electrical and water capacity.
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Four Republican candidates for South Dakota governor – incumbent Gov. Larry Rhoden, State House Speaker Jon Hansen, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, and Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden – participated in their final debate, addressing key issues ahead of the June 2 primary. Topics included property taxes, immigration, education, and the state penitentiary, alongside a notable discussion on data center development.
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson advocated for his "Data Centers Done Right" framework, outlining specific conditions for allowing data centers in South Dakota. These conditions include guarantees against increased electric rates, assurances of water protection, the creation of good-paying jobs, and significant property tax revenue. Johnson stated that projects failing to meet these criteria would not be welcomed.
Conversely, Toby Doeden voiced strong opposition to data centers. He expressed concerns about the potential strain on the state's electrical and water infrastructure, noting that "data center people" could not guarantee sufficient capacity for the future. Doeden argued against committing to data center development given these unaddressed infrastructure worries. The debate underscored the candidates' contrasting approaches to economic development and the role of large-scale tech investments in the state.