South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden has won the state's first-ever gubernatorial primary runoff, defeating challenger Toby Doeden. The Associated Press called the race for Rhoden shortly after 9:00 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday.
The runoff was required because no candidate in the June primary secured at least 35% of the vote. Doeden finished first in that contest with 30.6%, while Rhoden placed second with 25.2%.
Rhoden, who became governor in early 2025 after Kristi Noem left to join the Trump administration, will now face former Democratic state Sen. Dan Ahlers in the November general election. South Dakota has not had a Democratic governor since 1979.
Property taxes emerged as a key issue during the runoff campaign. Doeden advocated for eliminating property taxes, a proposal Rhoden's campaign characterized as fiscally irresponsible, warning it could create significant funding shortfalls for local governments and schools. Rhoden's campaign pointed to tax relief measures he signed in March, which his campaign described as the largest property tax cut in state history.
Doeden, a political newcomer, had positioned himself as an outsider challenging the state's political establishment. He declared after the June primary that "the career politicians told me" an outsider could not win. Rhoden countered these claims, arguing that his experience in the Legislature provided him with practical knowledge of lawmaking and governance.
President Donald Trump did not issue a public endorsement in the runoff election. Trump had acknowledged Rhoden during a July 3 event at Mount Rushmore but did not mention the gubernatorial race. Doeden had campaigned as a supporter of Trump's "America First agenda."