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South Dakota Secretary of State

Secretary of State · South Dakota

Heather Baxter held the seat for Republicans, winning by 22.3 points over Terrence Davis.

Heather BaxterRepublican · winner
58.4%172,365
Terrence DavisDemocrat
36.1%106,561
Tamara J. LesnarLibertarian
5.5%16,261
295,187 votes

Source: South Dakota Secretary of State unofficial resultsUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 1:22 PM ET

Where the race moved

Against the 2024 presidential vote

Every county, 2024 to 2026

Each dot is a county, sized by votes cast and colored by who carried it in 2026. Dots above the line moved toward Davis compared with the 2024 presidential vote; 61 of 65 did. The largest shift among the bigger counties: Clay, +10.2 points.

R+90R+90R+45R+45EvenEvenD+45D+45D+90D+90Moved toward Democrats ↑↓ Moved toward RepublicansMinnehahaPenningtonLincolnBrownBrookingsLawrence2024 presidential margin →2026 margin →

Source: civicAPI county results (unofficial); 2024 president: MEDSL precinct returnsUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 1:34 PM ET

The seat's recent races

EvenR+30.42018 RaceR+27.82022 RaceR+29.92024 Pres.R+22.32026 Race

Source: Past results: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)

By county

CountyShareMarginShift
MinnehahaR+3.8+8.9
PenningtonR+19.3+7.2
LincolnR+18.1+8.3
BrownR+20.2+6.6
BrookingsR+14.4+3.0
LawrenceR+27.6+3.7
MeadeR+45.1+5.8
CodingtonR+32.8+8.0
Show 57 more
YanktonR+16.0+9.5
HughesR+21.7+8.4
DavisonR+29.2+8.6
UnionR+33.7+7.0
BeadleR+34.7+5.4
CusterR+43.1+2.7
LakeR+28.1+3.1
ClayD+16.7+10.2
ButteR+56.3+4.4
Fall RiverR+45.9+3.4
TurnerR+44.6+6.8
RobertsR+14.3+8.7
GrantR+41.8+3.6
Charles MixR+33.7+9.2
HutchinsonR+54.6+3.3
MoodyR+21.8+10.0
SpinkR+37.6+1.4
HamlinR+53.0+7.4
DayR+21.8+8.1
McCookR+41.6+7.7
Bon HommeR+42.4+9.1
KingsburyR+38.9+5.0
TrippR+62.7+0.6
BruleR+35.0+7.4
DeuelR+43.9+7.8
ToddD+52.8+2.4
WalworthR+57.8+1.4
MarshallR+19.2+4.8
GregoryR+53.2+7.0
ClarkR+52.9−0.4
EdmundsR+51.4+9.4
StanleyR+36.5+10.3
DeweyD+18.6+5.8
HandR+57.0+0.3
PerkinsR+67.4+2.6
DouglasR+75.5−3.1
HansonR+52.4+6.8
LymanR+30.4+9.1
McPhersonR+66.3+3.0
AuroraR+35.6+18.5
PotterR+60.1+5.0
MinerR+39.7+7.3
BennettR+16.4+9.9
HaakonR+70.5+9.4
SanbornR+42.8+12.5
FaulkR+61.8+3.4
JacksonR+36.1−1.0
CorsonR+8.1+3.8
SullyR+53.6+7.2
JerauldR+40.5+2.7
HardingR+76.9+9.2
MelletteR+24.3−4.2
CampbellR+70.0+0.1
ZiebachR+2.1+0.7
HydeR+53.2+1.8
JonesR+68.3+7.6
BuffaloD+32.2+5.0

Bar: share of the state's vote. Shift: change in margin from the 2024 presidential vote, + toward Democrats.

Source: civicAPI county results (unofficial); 2024 president: MEDSL precinct returnsUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 1:34 PM ET

Pre-election forecast (final, Nov 3)

Our model's last run before Election Day, Nov 3, 2026. It no longer updates.

Terrence Davis
<1%
Heather Baxter
>99%
Projected margin
R+20.6
How the forecast works →

The candidates

Heather Baxter (R)
State representative from the 34th district (2025–present)Terrence Davis (D)
Former state trooper
Tamara J. Lesnar (L)

Also on this ballot here

U.S. SenateR+21.0
GovernorR+27.0
Attorney GeneralUnopposed
TreasurerR+24.9
AuditorR+25.1

Results within this state. Source: Results and race calls: South Dakota Secretary of State (unofficial)Updated Nov 7, 2026, 1:22 PM ET