Candidate lost to incumbent Larry Rhoden in South Dakota's Republican primary runoff
Yes.
South Dakota gubernatorial candidate Toby Doeden received a smaller percentage of the vote in the runoff against Larry Rhoden on July 28 compared to the Republican primary in early June.
Doeden received 31% of the vote when there were four candidates during the June 2 primary that also featured Dusty Johnson and Jon Hansen. In Tuesday’s runoff election, Doeden received 29%, and Rhoden won with 71%. Now Rhoden will meet Democratic candidate Dan Ahlers in the Nov. 3 general election.
Doeden led in just two counties during the runoff – Fall River and Todd – compared to 28 during the primary. He also lost his home county (Brown), where he secured 32% of the vote Tuesday.
The number of registered Republicans increased by about 7,300 since June 2, as some Democrats and Independents switched parties and new voters were added for the runoff. Those voters were expected to help Rhoden.
Sources
South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office, Runoff election results
KELO-TV, A surge of new Republicans eligible to vote in runoff
South Dakota News Watch, Did Larry Rhoden beat Toby Doeden in West River voting?
Ballotpedia, South Dakota gubernatorial election (2026)
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