Rhoden made the accusations during remarks at the South Dakota NewsMedia Association conference in Deadwood, later confirming to News Watch that Johnson was the subject of his comments about incivility in the gubernatorial contest. Rhoden said Johnson, through a mutual acquaintance, warned him that entering the race would trigger a substantial financial campaign against him.
According to Rhoden's account, Johnson indicated he possessed more than $6 million to $7 million in personal funds, along with access to dark money super PACs that could support advertising efforts against Rhoden. Rhoden claimed Johnson referenced specific spending figures during the conversation, allegedly telling him through the intermediary: "If he gets in the race, I will drop a million bucks on his head, drive his numbers down into the single digits."
Rhoden characterized the exchange as occurring shortly after the previous year's legislative session while he was deliberating whether to enter the gubernatorial race. He said the message was framed as a favor. "It's blackmail, basically," Rhoden told News Watch, though the nature of what he described—a threat to run opposition advertising if he became a candidate—differs legally from the definition of blackmail, which typically involves demands for money or valuables backed by threats to release damaging information.
Johnson has not publicly responded to Rhoden's allegations. The incident reflects mounting tensions within the Republican primary race for governor as multiple candidates position themselves for the 2026 election cycle.
