Choices: The South Dakota 2026 GOP Gubernatorial Runoff
There will be a runoff for the two GOP candidates for governor on 28 July, as none of the four candidates achieved the 35% threshold required to win outright in the 2 June primary election. Political newcomer Toby Doeden finished first with 31% of the votes, followed by Rhoden at 25%, U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson at 23%, and state House Speaker Jon Hansen at 21%. The race saw one of the highest statewide turnouts in over a decade, over 34% — and for the first time in state history, a runoff is needed to decide the GOP nominee for governor.