Dan Ahlers

Background

Ahlers is a small-business owner and former South Dakota legislator from Dell Rapids. He served in the state House and Senate and is the Democratic nominee for governor in 2026.

Sources: Dan Ahlers for Governor, Meet Dan, Dan Ahlers for Governor

What the candidate has said

Statements are attributed to the linked sources.

• Rural communities

  Ahlers says he would invest in Main Street businesses and local economies, modernize roads, bridges and broadband, and support family farms and agricultural producers.

  Issues | Ahlers for Governor

• Housing

  Ahlers says he would support local solutions to increase housing availability and work with state and local leaders to reduce barriers to responsible housing development.

  Issues | Ahlers for Governor

• Health care

  Ahlers says he would work to keep rural hospitals open and long-term-care facilities thriving, address health-care workforce shortages, and expand mental-health services.

  Issues | Ahlers for Governor