South Dakota Gubernatorial Primary Runoff

Republican voters in South Dakota are returning to the polls for a crucial gubernatorial primary runoff. Governor Larry Rhoden, representing the Republican Party, seeks a full term in office, facing off against GOP businessman Toby Doeden.

In the initial primary held on June 2, neither Rhoden nor Doeden captured over 50% of the vote. This situation necessitated a runoff. Rhoden’s position as governor came after Kristi Noem moved to a federal position under President Trump. In the first round, Rhoden lagged behind Doeden by 5 percentage points, creating a challenging scenario for him in the upcoming election.

The national Republican leadership, including President Trump, has not publicly intervened in this contest in South Dakota. This leaves the decision squarely in the hands of local voters. The outcome will emerge after polls close at 8 p.m. EDT.

For live updates on the election results, follow Decision Desk HQ.