PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- There has been plenty of rumble from Republicans about who is or could run for governor in 2026, but Democrats have been silent….until Saturday.

Robert Arnold, using the State Capitol Rotunda as the backdrop, announced he is seeking the Democratic nod to challenge a Republican next year.  A student at Dakota State University in Madison Arnold has spent time in the Capitol as a page and intern.

Arnold says Senator Jamie Smith, the state’s last Democratic candidate for governor, planted the seed for him to seek the nomination.

A Pierre man’s announcement that he’s seeking the state’s Democratic Party nomination for Governor is more than just becoming the youngest governor in state history.  The 19 year-old computer science and sociology student at Dakota State University laid out his platform and vision at the State Capitol June Seventh.

Arnold wants to improve South Dakota communities if elected.

Arnold also wants to see more support and investment involving the state’s Tribal nations.

Arnold also brought up improving housing and suggested the state pick up more of the bill for education as way to reduce property taxes.

Arnold is 19 and claims to be the youngest ever candidate for governor in the country.  He will be 21 in time to be elected which is the minimum age to be elected for governor.  Arnold says the state Democratic party has taken a neutral position on his decision to run.