Dan
Ahlers

News from the States published a profile of Ahlers, noting Democrats have not held the governorship since 1979 and Republicans dominate the state Legislature. Democratic Party chair Shane Merrill spoke favorably about Ahlers's candidacy. The race is described as an uphill contest ahead of the November 3 general election.

KOTA TV released a fact-check roundup of the South Dakota governor debate, reviewing claims made by both Rhoden and Ahlers.

SD News Watch published a fact-brief roundup of the governor debate. During the debate, Ahlers had questioned transparency around use of the state airplane and referenced a records-access lawsuit; Rhoden disputed Ahlers's characterization. Fact-checkers also addressed earlier reporting about Rhoden's use of a private plane.

In an interview covering tribal relations and party politics, Ahlers said, 'We really have to do a good job of showing that we honestly have a commitment to working with our tribal governments,' and called for respect for tribal sovereignty and collaboration.

At a joint Democratic candidates' press conference, Ahlers highlighted education funding, free school lunches, preschool, rural health-care access, and support for South Dakota-owned businesses. He argued education investment could help reduce property-tax and childcare burdens.

Multiple outlets reported on the September 28 debate, noting Ahlers's arguments that local governments should have more authority over data-center siting and resource use, and that state investment in education could ease property tax burdens.

At the SDPB/South Dakota News Watch debate, Ahlers proposed a childcare tax credit or rebate, called for more water conservation and building practices that use less water, argued for local government authority over data-center siting, called for greater state education investment to ease property tax pressure, and proposed restoring a tribal relations commission with representatives from all nine tribes. Coverage described this as the candidates' second and final debate of the campaign season.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Ahlers spoke about bipartisan coalitions in Rapid City, per KOTA TV coverage.

In a Dakota News Now interview, Ahlers highlighted rural health care access and cost of living as top concerns. He said South Dakota did not need a state income tax given budget surpluses, and argued divided government could encourage the Legislature to act more independently of the governor's office.