South Dakota Republicans Hold Gubernatorial Runoff Election

South Dakota Republicans held a gubernatorial primary runoff on July 28, 2026, to select a nominee to face Democratic candidate Dan Ahlers in the November general election. The runoff occurred after neither Larry Rhoden, the current governor, nor businessman Toby Doeden reached the 35% vote threshold in the June 2 primary, where Doeden led with 31% and Rhoden trailed with 25%.

Leading up to the vote, Rhoden faced an aggressive campaign from national super PACs funded by billionaire Jeffrey Yass. The School Freedom Fund and Win it Back committees, which received a combined $19.5 million from Yass, distributed mailers labeling Rhoden a "big taxin'" politician. These materials targeted three bills Rhoden signed earlier this year intended to fund special projects and lower homeowner property taxes.

Rhoden campaigned on a platform of stability and his legislative record, asserting that voters had come to understand the need for integrity. Election officials in Minnehaha County managed the logistics of the vote, including testing tabulation machines and relocating two precinct sites. Because South Dakota has not had a Democratic governor since the 1970s, the winner of this Republican runoff is expected to maintain a significant advantage in the general election.