The Republican primary for South Dakota governor will proceed to a runoff after no candidate secured the required 35% of the vote in Tuesday's election. Businessman Toby Doeden advanced with 30.6% of the vote, while Gov. Larry Rhoden placed second with 25.2%. U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson and South Dakota House Speaker Jon Hansen trailed closely with 23.4% and 20.8%, respectively. The runoff is scheduled for July 28, with the eventual nominee facing Democratic candidate Dan Ahlers in November.
Core Facts & Immediate Action
- Doeden advances to the runoff, becoming the first candidate confirmed by projections.
- Rhoden, Johnson, and Hansen remain in contention for the second runoff spot, with final results pending.
Deeper Dive & Context
Campaign Dynamics & Policy Focus
Doeden, a self-described political outsider, has pledged to phase out property taxes and slash state spending. He has criticized Rhoden and Hansen for supporting tax legislation that increased sales taxes to fund property tax cuts. Rhoden and Hansen have defended the legislation, accusing Johnson of misrepresenting it. Johnson denies involvement in anti-Rhoden ads funded by a political action committee.
Candidate Backgrounds
- Rhoden, a rancher and former lieutenant governor, has focused on continuing policies from his predecessor, Kristi Noem, including pro-business and anti-abortion stances.
- Johnson, a U.S. representative, has emphasized his Washington experience, while Hansen has highlighted his legislative leadership.
Election Implications
The November race is expected to favor the Republican nominee, as Democrats have not held the governor's mansion since the 1970s. Ahlers ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.