There are now more Republicans registered in South Dakota than ever before, just days ahead of the runoff election for governor.
South Dakota News Watch reports about 10,000 South Dakotans joined the party in the past few months.
This puts the total number of Republicans in the state at 328,829, while the Democratic Party sits at 134,135. The combined number of non-party affiliated, independent or libertarian voters in South Dakota is more than the total of Democrats.
Back in 1988 each party had an almost equal split between voters – - with Democrats at 43 percent and Republicans at 48 percent. Today, Democrats make up only 21 percent of voters.
The Republican runoff election between incumbent Governor Larry Rhoden and businessman Toby Doeden is on July 28. The winner will face Democrat Dan Ahlers in November.
