South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden fended off a primary challenge from businessman and Bitcoin evangelist Toby Doeden on Tuesday, winning the first gubernatorial primary runoff in state history and advancing to the November general election. The Associated Press called the race for Rhoden within minutes of final polls closing.
The head-to-head contest followed a four-way June primary in which Doeden finished first with 30.6% of the vote and Rhoden placed second with 25.2%, leaving both short of the 35% needed to secure the nomination outright under state law. Rhoden became governor in early 2025 after Kristi Noem left to join the Trump administration, while Doeden entered the race as a businessman and political newcomer.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic challenger Dan Ahiers, who will face Rhoden in November, has not released a detailed policy platform yet, though South Dakota Democrats have long advocated for investments in rural infrastructure and education funding. The Democratic Party of South Dakota issued a statement calling the runoff result "a chance to present voters with a real choice on property taxes and school funding."
Progressive groups have noted that Doeden's elimination of property taxes proposal resonated with some conservative voters who view it as a more aggressive stance than Rhoden's approach. Democrats have argued that any significant tax cuts must account for impacts on public services, though they have not yet released a coordinated general election strategy.
State Democratic officials have pointed to the 35% threshold as creating unusual dynamics in this race, noting that neither major party gubernatorial nominee secured an outright majority in June. "This runoff has shown there is real appetite for change in South Dakota," a state party spokesperson said.
What the Right Is Saying
Rhoden's campaign highlighted his March tax relief package, which his campaign website describes as the "largest" property tax cut in South Dakota history. The governor argued that his experience writing laws during his years in the Legislature gave him practical knowledge to deliver tax relief without destabilizing local government funding.
Doeden portrayed Rhoden as part of South Dakota's entrenched political class after the June primary, declaring that "the career politicians told me" an outsider could not break through against three longtime officeholders. Doeden campaigned aggressively on eliminating property taxes and positioned himself as a "fierce Trump supporter" who would help implement the president's "America First agenda."
Rhoden pushed back on the characterization during an interview with South Dakota Public Broadcasting, calling it "such a warped viewpoint" to call him a career politician. He argued his legislative experience provided practical governance skills. President Donald Trump did not publicly weigh in with an endorsement in the runoff, though he thanked Rhoden by name during remarks at Mount Rushmore on July 3.
What the Numbers Show
The June primary results set up Tuesday's historic runoff: Doeden received 30.6% and Rhoden 25.2%, well below the 35% threshold required to avoid a runoff under South Dakota law. The state requires runoffs for gubernatorial, U.S. Senate, or U.S. House nominations when no candidate reaches 35%.
South Dakota has not had a Democratic governor since Harvey Wollman left office in 1979, and no Democrat has been elected to the office there since Richard Kneip won re-election in 1974. Wollman became governor automatically as lieutenant governor when Kneip resigned.
The property tax debate centers on significant revenue implications for local governments and school districts, though specific dollar figures vary based on implementation proposals.
The Bottom Line
Rhoden advances to face former Democratic state Sen. Dan Ahlers in November, where historical patterns strongly favor the Republican nominee given South Dakota's five-decade streak of electing only Republicans to the governor's office. Doeden's performance, finishing first in a four-way primary and forcing a runoff against an incumbent governor, signals appetite for anti-establishment messaging within the state GOP.
What happens next: Democrats will need to mount a significant campaign operation to compete in November. For Rhoden, the general election presents an opportunity to pivot from intra-party battles toward broader outreach. Political observers will watch whether Trump's eventual endorsements in down-ballot races signal continued support for sitting governors or openness to primary challengers.
The property tax debate is expected to remain central through the fall campaign, with both sides likely to release detailed fiscal proposals as Election Day approaches.