South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden Wins Republican Primary Runoff for Full Term

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden won the Republican primary runoff on July 28, 2026, defeating businessman Toby Doeden. Rhoden, who became governor after Kristi Noem joined the Trump administration, will face Democrat Dan Ahlers in November. Despite being outspent by Doeden and targeted by a Club for Growth-linked super PAC, Rhoden secured the nomination in the heavily Republican state, which has not elected a Democratic governor since the 1970s.

Rhoden Republican primary runoff victory

• ▪South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden won the Republican primary runoff election on July 28, 2026, to advance his bid for a full term.
• ▪South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden defeated businessman and political newcomer Toby Doeden in the Republican primary runoff election on July 28, 2026.
• ▪Larry Rhoden was elevated to South Dakota governor from lieutenant governor after President Donald Trump selected former Governor Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary.
• ▪Former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem was fired from her position as homeland security secretary in 2026.

South Dakota runoff system

• ▪The South Dakota Republican primary runoff on July 28, 2026, was a one-on-one matchup between Larry Rhoden and Toby Doeden.
• ▪South Dakota election rules require a primary runoff election if no candidate receives at least 35% of the vote in the initial primary.

June primary results

• ▪In the June 2026 South Dakota Republican gubernatorial primary, Toby Doeden won approximately 31% of the vote, while Larry Rhoden received about 25%.
• ▪United States Representative Dusty Johnson and South Dakota state House Speaker Jon Hansen ran in the June 2026 primary but failed to advance.

Trump ally campaign positioning

• ▪Larry Rhoden campaigned on cutting property taxes, reducing crime, and highlighting South Dakota's low unemployment rate.
• ▪Toby Doeden campaigned on reducing property taxes, deporting migrants, supporting rural communities, and opposing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
• ▪Both Larry Rhoden and Toby Doeden campaigned as strong allies of Donald Trump, who did not make an endorsement in the primary.

Campaign spending disparities

• ▪A super PAC tied to the conservative Club for Growth ran attack ads calling Larry Rhoden a career politician without making a public endorsement.
• ▪Toby Doeden self-funded his campaign and outspent Larry Rhoden on television advertisements during the runoff election.

November general election matchup

• ▪Larry Rhoden will face Democratic candidate Dan Ahlers, a former state senator, in the November 2026 general election.
• ▪South Dakota has not elected a Democratic governor since the 1970s, and its congressional delegation consists entirely of Republicans.

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