For the first time in its history, South Dakota will have a runoff election on Tuesday for the governor’s race to determine which GOP candidate will be placed on the November ballot.
Polls for the runoff election opened at 7am Tuesday morning and will close at 7pm.
In June, none of the four candidates received the 35 percent of votes that is needed to move forward. However, incumbent Governor Larry Rhoden received 25 percent of votes, and candidate Toby Doeden received 31 percent.
Doeden is a businessman whose priorities include reducing property taxes, cutting wasteful spending, and working against abortion. This is his first time running for political office.
Rhoden first assumed the position of governor once Kristie Noem left to become the head of the department of homeland security in early 2025. According to Rhoden’s website, his accomplishments include the largest property tax cut in state history, which was passed by the legislature this year.
South Dakota News Watch reported about 10,000 South Dakotans joined the Republican Party in the past few months.
The winner will face Democrat Dan Ahlers in November.
