Attorney General Marty Jackley said he’s running for Congress in the 2026 election.
Jackley said he feels he can best help South Dakotans outside the AG’s office.
“I am preparing a run for Congress because I truly believe the fight is in Washington," Jackley told SDPB, announcing he plans to run for South Dakota’s lone Congressional seat in the House of Representatives.
Currently, Rep. Dusty Johnson holds the seat, however he is rumored to be eyeing the governor’s seat in Pierre, though he has yet to make an official announcement.
Jackley has long been a part of South Dakota’s political scene, first serving as AG from 2009 to 2019. During that term, he lost the Republican gubernatorial seat to Kristi Noem in 2018. He was then reelected as attorney general in 2022.
He said it’s that experience as Attorney General that’s helped him realize Congress is where he feels he can make the most change for South Dakota.
“I’ve seen the problems we face here in South Dakota come from Washington and their inaction. Whether it’s the methamphetamine or fentanyl come from the Southern border, or the public corruption and wasteful spending of our tax dollars," Jackley said. "It really comes from Washington. And I want to be part of the solution. I want to work with President Trump to find those solutions.”
Jackley has been key in uncovering recent misuse of tax dollars in the state government. He added that he wants to “stop the public corruption, not just prosecute it.”
“And so I think that Attorney General has prepared me to be able to be a stronger voice for South Dakotans in Washington. We’ve seen Attorney Generals go to both Congress and the Senate," Jackley said. "And I think that’s part of the reason. It’s a job that prepares us for that continued public service in Washington.”
Jackley said in the meantime, he’s going to continue doing his job as attorney general.
