South Dakota GOP Gubernatorial Race Advances to Runoff

Toby Doeden, a Republican businessman, will advance to a runoff in the South Dakota gubernatorial race scheduled for July. The second contender for the runoff is still undecided as of Wednesday night. Incumbent Governor Larry Rhoden, who previously served as lieutenant governor under Kristi Noem, remains a potential candidate for the runoff, depending on the outcomes involving U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson and South Dakota House Speaker Jon Hansen. Rhoden has a background in ranching and has been involved in state legislative leadership for 16 years, advocating for policies that promote affordability and business-friendliness in South Dakota. He has expressed opposition to abortion and support for Second Amendment rights. The primary race has seen a lack of endorsement from former President Donald Trump, which Rhoden commented on, suggesting that Trump prefers to endorse candidates he perceives as likely winners. Doeden has campaigned as a political outsider and a conservative alternative to the state establishment, while Hansen is viewed as the establishment conservative candidate.