> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.sdnewswatch.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Legislature election recap: Nelson holds off Hunhoff; Carley ousted - URL: https://www.sdnewswatch.org/legislature-primary-election-recap/ - Published: 2026-06-04T11:37:28.000Z - Updated: 2026-06-04T12:10:44.000Z - Description: A review of top election results of South Dakota state legislative Republican primary races. - Author: Alexander Rifaat - Tags: Government/Politics, #feature-2 PIERRE, S.D. – Besides the statewide primary contests that took place Tuesday, which included a hotly contested governor's race, South Dakota Republicans also voted for their nominees for the state Legislature. Here is a recap of the results in some of the key races. State Sen. Lauren Nelson of Yankton defeated challenger Jean Hunhoff in **District 18,** 53%-47%. The contest was a rematch from two years ago when Nelson upset Hunhoff, who at that time was the sitting state senator, in a close race. [Jackley and Rounds win; Doeden, Rhoden to meet in runoffHouse and Senate winners cruise to victory in GOP primary but no governor candidate got needed 35%.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cb/ab/cbabab5e-2dc6-462c-94a0-b72956c0d224/content/images/icon/SDNW-Logo-Vertical-fd1047af-2db5-4791-9dd6-334f89431247.jpg)South Dakota News WatchAlexander Rifaat![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cb/ab/cbabab5e-2dc6-462c-94a0-b72956c0d224/content/images/thumbnail/2026-06-02-Marty-Jackley-on-stage-23a09a65-49fc-4204-a977-2e202793b1d3.jpeg)](https://www.sdnewswatch.org/2026-primary-election-top-races/) Several incumbents fell, including state Sen. John Carley of Piedmont in **District 29**, who lost to William Meirose in a close contest, 49%-51%. Carley was derided early this year during the 2026 legislative session when he abruptly [disappeared](https://www.sdnewswatch.org/south-dakota-senate-data-center-vote/) from the Capitol ahead of a key vote pertaining to data centers. Another controversial incumbent, state Sen. Tamara Grove of **District 26**, lost her bid to stay in office, losing to Rebecca Reimer. It was recently revealed that Grove, whose district includes Presho, Chamberlain and White River, had listed a property in Sioux Falls as her primary residency for tax purposes. In one of the more notable results of the night, Katie Washnok recorded a resounding victory over state Sen. Carl Perry in **District 3**. Washnok, who won 63%-37%, had lost to Perry two years ago. [Bountiful ballots: Local election added to June primaryA law change added numerous local nonpartisan and political races to the statewide Republican and Democratic primaries.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cb/ab/cbabab5e-2dc6-462c-94a0-b72956c0d224/content/images/icon/SDNW-Logo-Vertical-90d17840-82f9-4615-94f9-1eb31eecf002.jpg)South Dakota News WatchMolly Wetsch![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cb/ab/cbabab5e-2dc6-462c-94a0-b72956c0d224/content/images/thumbnail/2026-06-02-Instructional-Planning-Center-signs--Sioux-Falls-1-57e56cc7-c03a-4204-b591-6671f10637fb.JPG)](https://www.sdnewswatch.org/2026-primary-election-local-races/) Another 2024 primary rematch took place in **District 21**, where state Sen. MyKala Voita of Bonesteel defeated former state Sen. Erin Tobin 59%-41%. Voita, whose district includes Platte, Burke and White Lake, increased her margin of victory significantly from the contest of two years ago. In **District 24**, which includes Pierre, state Sen. Jim Mehlhaff held off two primary challengers to secure 55% of the vote. The contest, which included Brian Murphy and Mark Nelson, was the only three-way primary state Senate race in the state this year. On the House side, Rep. Phil Jensen of **District 33**, which includes Rapid City, comfortably secured nomination for one of the two House seats. Jensen was [suspended](https://www.keloland.com/keloland-com-original/rep-phil-jensen-removed-from-republican-caucus/?ref=sdnewswatch.org) by the South Dakota GOP earlier this year for remarks he made toward other House members. ****Get South Dakota news and information** in a free email on weekdays. Cancel any time. [Subscribe ](https://www.sdnewswatch.org/#/portal) While his brother secured his nomination for the U.S. Senate race, former state House Rep. Tim Rounds, brother of U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, was unsuccessful in securing a nomination for a House seat in **District 24**. Mike Weisgram and Laurie Gill were the winners in that contest. The South Dakota Secretary of State's office has identified seven races that could be heading toward a runoff. While Jensen secured one of the spots in District 33 House race, it is a close contest for who will gain the GOP nomination for the other seat, with Curt Massie holding a lead of just five votes over Jeff Marlette. If the criteria for a recount are met, the losing candidate has until 5 p.m. Friday to file a petition. [See the results of all legislative elections](https://electionresults.sd.gov/resultsSW.aspx?type=LEG&map=DIST&ref=sdnewswatch.org). [Share your thoughts on this story](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScdTmGFf24Uhwiwd%5FndSxHkv6oBGSAy1LxF9BbwRbhBK5KflA/viewform?usp=sf%5Flink&ref=sdnewswatch.org) **South Dakota News Watch* is an independent nonprofit. Read, donate and subscribe for free at* [*sdnewswatch.org*](http://sdnewswatch.org/?ref=sdnewswatch.org)*. *Contact politics and statehouse reporter Alexander Rifaat:* 605-736-4396/*[*alexander.rifaat@sdnewswatch.org*](mailto:alexander.rifaat@sdnewswatch.org)*.*