--- title: "2026 South Dakota’s at-large district race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-sd-al" updated: "2026-08-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 South Dakota’s at-large district race: Nicole Gronli (D) vs. Marty J. Jackley (R) Rating: Safe R · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 1, 2026 Democrat Nicole Gronli faces Republican South Dakota Attorney General Marty J. Jackley in the open-seat race for South Dakota's At-Large Congressional District in November 2026, following incumbent Representative Dusty Johnson's retirement to run for governor. Jackley campaigns heavily on his extensive law enforcement career, Trump endorsement, agricultural background, and conservative policy platform, while Gronli emphasizes a pragmatic approach to government reform. ## Candidates - **Nicole Gronli** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://www.nikkigforsd.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Nicole_Gronli) - **Marty J. Jackley** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://martyjackley.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Marty_J._Jackley) ## Issues ### Role of government Salience: low While Jackley focuses on eliminating federal regulations and cutting Washington bureaucracy, Gronli argues that government does not necessarily need to be reduced or enlarged, but rather made to work better. **Nicole Gronli:** Supports pragmatic efficiency over government growth Gronli frames her candidacy around making existing government institutions function more effectively rather than expanding their scope. She emphasizes listening to residents and exercising leadership that delivers better service to South Dakotans. - Focus on improving government delivery and performance rather than increasing government size - Prioritize responsive listening and collaborative leadership > “I don’t believe government needs to be bigger… I think it needs to be BETTER.” > — Nicole Gronli, via [Campaign site](https://www.nikkigforsd.com/) **Marty J. Jackley:** Supports cutting red tape and federal overreach Jackley advocates reducing federal authority and cutting administrative red tape, promising to reject Washington political maneuvering in favor of practical results. - Eliminate unnecessary federal rules affecting agriculture and small business - Reject Washington partisanship to focus on state results > “South Dakota sent me to get things done, not to play Washington games.” > — Marty J. Jackley, via [Campaign site](https://martyjackley.com) ### Border security & immigration Salience: high **Nicole Gronli:** No documented position in our sources **Marty J. Jackley:** Supports securing border and completing wall Jackley links illicit meth and fentanyl on South Dakota streets directly to an unsecured southern border, drawing on his experience prosecuting drug traffickers as U.S. Attorney and state Attorney General. He calls for completing construction of the border wall and providing law enforcement with full backing to stop drug pipelines. - Complete construction of the southern border wall - Support law enforcement and prosecutors to stop illegal drug trafficking originating at the border - Leverage prosecutorial experience to target drug cartels and traffickers > “The meth and fentanyl on our streets come across an open border. I have prosecuted the traffickers who bring it here. Secure the border, finish the wall, and let law enforcement do its job.” > — Marty J. Jackley, via [Campaign site](https://martyjackley.com) ### Crime & public safety Salience: high **Nicole Gronli:** No documented position in our sources **Marty J. Jackley:** Supports strong prosecution and backing police Highlighting his tenure as South Dakota Attorney General and U.S. Attorney, Jackley makes public safety a primary centerpiece of his campaign. He promises to ensure police officers, sheriffs, and prosecutors have the resources, authority, and professional support needed to keep communities safe. - Provide police, sheriffs, and prosecutors with necessary tools and resources - Prioritize strict prosecution of violent criminals and drug traffickers - Utilize over a decade of executive law enforcement experience in federal and state office > “I have spent my career putting violent criminals behind bars. In Congress I will back our police, sheriffs, and prosecutors with the tools and the respect they have earned. Public safety comes first.” > — Marty J. Jackley, via [Campaign site](https://martyjackley.com) ### Agriculture Salience: high **Nicole Gronli:** No documented position in our sources **Marty J. Jackley:** Supports deregulation and fair agricultural trade Jackley cites his background owning a farm in Vale and a ranch near Pierre to demonstrate his connection to South Dakota producers. He pledges to advocate for fair commodity markets, equitable international trade, and the reduction of federal regulations affecting farmers and ranchers. - Reduce federal regulatory burdens on agricultural operations - Advocate for fair market conditions and international trade agreements - Represent rural communities using direct personal experience as a farm and ranch owner > “Farmers and ranchers feed this country. I have a farm at Vale and a ranch near Pierre, so I know what a bad year costs a family. I will fight for fair markets, honest trade, and less Washington red tape.” > — Marty J. Jackley, via [Campaign site](https://martyjackley.com) ### Second Amendment Salience: medium **Nicole Gronli:** No documented position in our sources **Marty J. Jackley:** Opposes gun control and defends gun rights Jackley considers Second Amendment protections absolute and non-negotiable. He emphasizes his background as a gun owner, hunter, and parent, along with an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association. - Oppose federal gun control legislation and restrictions on firearm ownership - Promote safe gun ownership and hunting traditions - Maintain an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association > “The right to keep and bear arms is not negotiable. I hunt, I raised my kids around firearms handled right, and I have an A+ rating from the NRA. I will defend the Second Amendment every time.” > — Marty J. Jackley, via [Campaign site](https://martyjackley.com) ### Economy & taxation Salience: medium **Nicole Gronli:** No documented position in our sources **Marty J. Jackley:** Supports tax cuts and Trump economic platform Jackley explicitly aligns his economic priorities with former President Donald Trump's 'America First' platform. He focuses on cutting federal taxes and curbing government spending and administrative bureaucracy. - Pass federal tax cuts - Support 'America First' trade and economic measures - Reduce federal regulatory spending and government interference > “President Trump endorsed me, and I support his agenda. Secure the border, cut taxes, and put America first.” > — Marty J. Jackley, via [Campaign site](https://martyjackley.com) ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/sd-al-house-election-winner) — SD-AL House Election Winner: Republicans 95.0%, Democrats 4.5% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-SDAL-26) — SD-AL House winner?: Marty J. Jackley 96.0%, Nicole Gronli 4.3% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-sd-al)