Full Breakdown
South Dakota GOP Gubernatorial Primary Leads to Runoff Between Toby Doeden and Larry Rhoden
6/3/2026, 10:40:03 PM
Runoff Triggered by 35% Threshold
On June 3, 2026, South Dakota held a Republican primary for governor. State law requires a candidate to secure at least 35 % of the vote to win outright. No candidate reached that level, so the top two finishers—businessman Toby Doeden and incumbent Governor Larry Rhoden—will face a runoff on July 28.
Candidates and Vote Share
Doeden led with roughly 31 % of the vote, according to NBC, CBS and Decision Desk HQ. Rhoden placed second with about 25 %. U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson earned roughly 23 % and House Speaker Jon Hansen about 21 %. All sources agree no one passed the 35 % threshold.
Official Statements & Responses
Governor Rhoden said he does not “spend a lot of time fretting” about President Trump’s lack of endorsement, noting Trump “likes endorsing winners and seldom goes out on a limb.” Rep. Johnson, after finishing third, called it “the honor of my lifetime” to serve and pledged to help Republican candidates in November. Doeden’s campaign website calls him “a total political outsider who’s tired of the government’s failure to deliver on its promises.”
Criticism & Opposition
The Rushmore Principles PAC spent over $1 million on ads attacking Rhoden’s support for sales-tax increases that fund property-tax cuts. Doeden’s supporters accused Johnson of insufficient loyalty to Trump; Johnson denied involvement. Rhoden said Johnson was behind the anti-Rhoden ads, calling him a “Washington politician.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Most outlets schedule the runoff for July 28, but two sources (Mogazmasr and El-Balad) list a June 23 date, creating calendar uncertainty. Reported vote shares differ—Doeden’s at 30.6 %, 31 % or “nearly 30 %,” Rhoden’s at 25 % or 26 %—and no final certification has been released.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If you look at who he's endorsed, he likes endorsing winners and seldom goes out on a limb.” — Larry Rhoden, Governor of South Dakota
- “It has been the honor of my lifetime to represent South Dakota in Congress these past eight years. While I am disappointed in the outcome, I am committed to helping Republican candidates get elected in November.” — Dusty Johnson, U.S. Representative
- “a total political outsider who’s tired of the government’s failure to deliver on its promises” — Toby Doeden, campaign website
- “The second Trump stood up and was yelling 'fight, fight, fight,' I knew in that moment God was sending me a message,” — Toby Doeden, interview with South Dakota News Watch
What’s Next
The July 28 runoff will decide the GOP nominee, who will face Democrat Dan Ahlers in the November 3 general election.
