South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden won a primary runoff election on July 28, 2026, defeating businessman Toby Doeden, who is known for his advocacy of Bitcoin. Rhoden secured 70.5% of the vote compared to Doeden's 29.5%, as reported by the Associated Press shortly after polls closed. This runoff was the first of its kind in South Dakota, required by state law when no candidate receives at least 35% of the primary vote.
In the preceding four-way primary in June, Doeden received 30.6% of the votes, while Rhoden garnered 25.2%. Rhoden became governor in early 2025 after Kristi Noem left to join the Trump administration. Doeden, a newcomer to politics, has invested heavily in Bitcoin since 2020 and has advocated for state investment in the cryptocurrency.
Rhoden will face former Democratic state Senator Dan Ahlers in the general election in November. South Dakota has not elected a Democratic governor since 1979. Key issues in the primary included property taxes, with Doeden proposing their elimination, while Rhoden's campaign argued that this could lead to significant funding shortfalls for local governments and schools. Rhoden's campaign also highlighted tax relief measures he signed earlier in the year, which were described as the largest property tax cut in state history.
During the campaign, Doeden characterized Rhoden as part of the political establishment, while Rhoden defended his experience in the Legislature as beneficial for governance. President Donald Trump did not endorse either candidate in the runoff but acknowledged Rhoden in a speech earlier in July.