Governor Larry Rhoden will represent the Republican Party in the South Dakota governor contest this November.
In a historic runoff election Tuesday, Rhoden readily defeated Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden the Republican nomination. He'll face Democrat Dan Ahlers in the November general election.
Rhoden and Doeden were the top two vote-getters in a crowded field of four candidates in the initial GOP primary election in early June. Congressman Dusty Johnson, the early favorite in the race, came in third in that primary.. State Rep. Jon Hansen came in fourth.
Doeden came out on top in primary election with 31 percent of the vote, but fell short of the 35 percent required to win outright, which triggered the runoff.
Rhoden made up substantial ground in the weeks between the primary and the runoff. The governor received 71 percent of the vote to Doeden's 29 percent, on Tuesday.
In his speech, Rhoden credited his family and his faith for seeing him through to the win.
Only registered Republicans could vote in this primary election. News reports show a surge of voters registered Republican in the weeks leading up to the historic runoff, including many who changed their party affiliation to participate in the primary.
Rhoden became governor of South Dakota, after Kristi Noem exited the governor position on January 25, 2025, to become the Department of Homeland Security Secretary.
