South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden Secures Republican Nomination in Hard-Fought Primary
Governor Larry Rhoden of South Dakota successfully defended his seat on Tuesday by winning the Republican nomination for a full term, according to The Associated Press. The victory positions him as the strong favorite heading into the general election in November. Mr. Rhoden advanced to the governorship last year from his previous role as lieutenant governor after Kristi Noem departed South Dakota to join President Trump’s cabinet. His path to securing the nomination included a demanding primary race against the state’s sitting congressman, the speaker of the State House of Representatives, and businessman Toby Doeden.
Challenger Toby Doeden Strong in Opening Balloting But Falls Short of Runoff Threshold
Mr. Doeden initially captured the lead during the opening round of balloting last month, pulling in several thousand more votes than Mr. Rhoden. However, his total remained below the crucial 35 percent threshold required to secure the nomination outright without a runoff. Operating without an endorsement from President Trump, Mr. Rhoden faced the contest lacking certain traditional advantages of incumbency following the departure of Ms. Noem, who had made history as South Dakota’s first female governor before her tenure as secretary of homeland security ended with her firing in March.
Contrasting Campaigns Highlighted by Debates and Differing Political Styles
During campaign debates hosted by KELO-TV in Sioux Falls and South Dakota Public Broadcasting, the candidates showcased contrasting identities. Mr. Rhoden emphasized a more reserved political style centered on openness, civility, and responsiveness while tackling major initiatives, such as reviving Fourth of July fireworks at Mount Rushmore—which President Trump attended—and addressing the state’s long-stalled prison construction plans. Meanwhile, Mr. Doeden leveraged his background as a business owner to campaign as a political outsider, drawing comparisons to President Trump, pledging to eliminate the state property tax, and promising to be the most pro-business governor in state history.
November General Election Sets Up Matchup Against Former State Legislator Dan Ahlers
Mr. Rhoden enters the November general election as the clear front-runner, sustained by a historical trend in which no Democrat has captured the South Dakota governorship since the 1970s and few signs of electoral strength have emerged outside of a tight 2018 gubernatorial race. Standing opposite the Republican nominee on the Democratic Party’s ticket in November will be Dan Ahlers, a former state legislator.
