A check of statements made during the Sept. 28 debate between Democrat Dan Ahlers and Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden.
Democrat Dan Ahlers and Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden met Sept. 28 in the SDPB/South Dakota News Watch debate, the only televised meeting before the Nov. 3 general election.
Here are fact briefs of some statements made by each of them during the debate, which can be viewed on the SDPB YouTube channel.
Has Gov. Rhoden been criticized for his usage of the state plane?
No.
Unlike some previous governors, Rhoden has not been publicly questioned on his use of the state airplane.
However, he was criticized over his use of a private plane in March after an investigation by The Dakota Scout "revealed that a benefactor to the governor’s candidacy in the 2026 gubernatorial election provided Rhoden and his campaign staff transportation" from Pierre to campaign events in Sioux Falls and Watertown.
The financial gain from use of that private plane was not disclosed on year-end financial reports filed with the Secretary of State's office. Rhoden's campaign told The Dakota Scout that the exclusion was "inadvertent."
During the debate, Ahlers said there should be increased transparency on the use of the state airplane and that The Dakota Scout "had to sue the state less than a year ago to get state records."
Rhoden responded that Ahlers' statement was "patently false."
"We’ve never been criticized one bit on the plane usage," Rhoden said.
Sources
The Dakota Scout, Rhoden campaign failed to report private plane travel
The Dakota Scout, State backs off legal threat over Noem credit cards
Have average teacher salaries in South Dakota increased by $10,000 in the past few years?
Yes (but it was slightly more than a few).
During the debate, Rhoden said teacher salaries increased by $10,000 "in the last few years."
According to the National Education Association, in the 2018-2019 school year, the average salary was $48,204. That increased to $58,486 in 2024-25, an increase over six years of $10,282. Data is not yet available on the 2025-2026 school year.
Baseline salaries "offered to a teacher with zero years of experience and a bachelors degree" according to the South Dakota Department of Education have also increased, but not by the same rate.
In the 2016-2017 school year, baseline salary was $37,519. By 2024-2025, that number increased by $9,659 to $47,178.
Sources
National Education Association, 2020 Rankings and Estimates Report
National Education Association, 2026 Rankings and Estimates Report August UpdatePDF
South Dakota Department of Education, Baseline Teacher Salary
Does South Dakota have the lowest child care rates in the nation?
Yes.
South Dakota has consistently been listed in the top three most affordable states for child care.
In a 2025 study, the University of Kansas said South Dakota is the most affordable for both single parents and married parents. On average, parents spend $7,862 annually on child care in the state.
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The Bipartisan Policy Center said South Dakota's average cost is 40% lower than the national average, which is about $12,900 annually.
These back up Rhoden's statement that South Dakota has the lowest child care rates in the nation for single parents. However, child care providers are among the lowest wage-earners in the state, according to a 2025 South Dakota Child Care Task Force report.
Data from the U.S. Department of Labor also enforces this statement. Data differs slightly when looking at rates for different ages of child and if care is center-based or home-based.
Sources
The University of Kansas, Childcare Affordability Analysis: A State-by-State Breakdown
Bipartisan Policy Center, National and State Child Care Data Overview
U.S. Department of Labor, Childcare Prices by Age of Children and Care Setting
South Dakota News Watch, Child care policy proposals return to Pierre
South Dakota Child Care Task Force, Sustainable Solutions for Transforming Child Care in South Dakota
Watch the full debate, moderated by SDPB's Jackie Hendry in collaboration with South Dakota News Watch:
SDPB Staff and SDPB News Staff
About fact briefs
Fact briefs are bite-sized, well-sourced explanations that offer clear "yes" or "no" answers to questions, confusions and unsupported claims circulating online. They rely on publicly available data and documents, often from the original source. Fact briefs are written and published by South Dakota News Watch as part of the Gigafact network. Submit a question for us to answer on the tipline.
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South Dakota News Watch is an independent nonprofit. Read, subscribe for free and donate at sdnewswatch.org. Contact reporter Emily DeCock: 605-736-4396/ emily.decock@sdnewswatch.org.
