Bitter GOP primary for South Dakota governor heads to runoff as businessman Toby Doeden, Gov. Larry Rhoden advance South Dakota’s Republican gubernatorial primary will go to a July 28 runoff between incumbent Gov. Larry Rhoden and businessman Toby Doeden, as neither candidate achieved the required 35% of the vote. Doeden received the most votes in the initial primary, with Rhoden in second place, pushing past other notable candidates like Rep. Dusty Johnson and House Speaker Jon Hansen. The eventual Republican nominee will face Democratic former state Sen. Dan Ahlers, with the race heavily favoring the GOP.

• Gov. Larry Rhoden and businessman Toby Doeden will advance to a runoff for the Republican nomination for South Dakota governor.
• A runoff is scheduled for July 28 because no candidate secured 35% of the vote in the primary.
• Toby Doeden received the most votes, followed by Gov. Larry Rhoden.
• Other candidates included Rep. Dusty Johnson and House Speaker Jon Hansen.
• The Republican nominee will face Democratic former state Sen. Dan Ahlers.
• Rhoden emphasized his record, including property tax cuts and a prison replacement plan.
• Doeden, who self-funded his campaign significantly, pledged to phase out property taxes and cut spending.
• The primary was contentious, with accusations and attack ads exchanged between candidates and supporting PACs.
• President Trump has not endorsed a candidate in the race.