Dan Ahlers
Lost the 2026 race for South Dakota Governor.
Born 1973
- Last margin
- −27.0
- Lost 2026
Source: Wikidata, congress-legislators and Open States; 99chambers legislative recordsUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 11:01 PM ET
Background
As listed by the official candidate list, Wikidata and campaign filings. 99chambers does not summarize platforms or endorsements.
- Born
- 1973 · Dell Rapids, South Dakota
- Education
- Augustana University
- On the ballot as
- executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party, former state senator (2008–2010), and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2020
Source: Wikidata (CC0) and the official candidate listUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 11:01 PM ET
Every race Ahlers has run
Baseline: how the seat voted for president in the same or nearest year. Running ahead of it means Ahlers won voters the party’s presidential nominee did not; primaries have no baseline.
| Year | Office | Stage | Result | Opponents | Share | Margin | Raised | Baseline | Against baseline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | South Dakota Governor | General | Lost | Larry Rhoden (R) | 36.5% | R+27.0 | — | R+29.9 | |
| 2020 | U.S. Senate, South Dakota | General | Lost | Mike Rounds (R) | 34.3% | R+31.5 | $273.8K | — |
Source: 99chambers results archive; 2026: South Dakota Secretary of State (unofficial)Updated Nov 8, 2026, 7:01 PM ET
Polls of Ahlers’s races
The 2026 general average had Ahlers behind by 18.6; Ahlers lost by 27.0.
| Race | Average | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 · 5 polls | R+18.6 | R+27.0 |
Source: 99chambers polling average on Election Day; 2026 results: South Dakota Secretary of State (unofficial)Updated Nov 8, 2026, 7:01 PM ET
Who Ahlers has run against
- Larry Rhoden (R) · 2026 general, lost
- Mike Rounds (R) · 2020 election, lost
Source: 99chambers results archive; 2026: South Dakota Secretary of State (unofficial)
How we know Ahlers
One person, matched across every source we use.
Source: Identity links: Wikidata, congress-legislators, Open States, FECUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 11:01 PM ET