Gov. Kristi Noem (R., S.D.) will likely leave office soon to assume her role as America’s next head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); but the race to succeed her, especially assuming the seat becomes open quickly, is a jump ball between the state’s lone representative in Congress, Dusty Johnson, and the state’s attorney general, Marty Jackley.

According to a poll obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter, and conducted shortly before the 2024 election, Johnson and Jackley are almost tied, with the former scoring support from 25 percent of respondents and with the latter netting 28 percent support — a difference within the margin of error of the poll, which was conducted on behalf of co/efficient.

“We are already seeing a close race between Marty Jackley and Dusty Johnson,” co/efficient noted. “Key voting groups are nearly tied in their support for the two candidates, and half of voters are still to be persuaded. The candidate who can secure the former president’s endorsement will be well-positioned to win the GOP nomination.”