Poll shows Noem with 19-point lead in governor race

By: Searchlight staff - October 26, 2022 3:45 pm

Gov. Kristi Noem attends an event Oct. 12, 2022, at a Sioux Falls grocery store. (John Hult/SD Searchlight)

Gov. Kristi Noem attends an event Oct. 12, 2022, at a Sioux Falls grocery store. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

New results from Emerson College Polling say Republican Gov. Kristi Noem leads Democratic challenger Jamie Smith by 19 points in the race for governor of South Dakota.

Democratic candidate Jamie Smith, left, and Libertarian candidate Tracey Quint debate Monday night on South Dakota Public Broadcasting. The empty podium was for Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, who declined an invitation to participate. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

Noem has support from 56 percent of poll respondents, while Smith’s support is at 37 percent. Three percent of respondents support Libertarian Tracey Quint, and 4 percent are undecided.

Emerson College Polling says it conducted the poll in conjunction with The Hill. Keloland Media Group says it was also part of the effort. The poll was conducted Oct. 19-21.

The new results show Noem with a wider lead than an earlier South Dakota State University poll conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 10. That poll showed Noem leading Smith 45 percent to 41 percent with 14 percent undecided.

Noem also has a large lead in fundraising and money on hand, and has been saturating television and other media with campaign advertising in recent weeks.

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