South Dakota Republican Gubernatorial Race Update
Republican businessman Toby Duden has secured a place in the run-off for the South Dakota governor’s seat, scheduled for July. However, the results for his second choice candidate are still pending, remaining too close to call as of Wednesday night.
This development is a setback for the current governor, Larry Rhoden, but it still leaves room for a face-off with Rep. Dusty Johnson, who also has significant support, depending on who makes it through.
Rhoden, who previously served as lieutenant governor under Kristi Noem, has a background in ranching. He’s been involved in state legislative leadership for quite a while, ultimately taking over from the former Secretary of Homeland Security.
Typically seen wearing his iconic cowboy hat, Rhoden hails from western South Dakota and has dedicated 16 years in the Legislature to upholding Noem’s vision of establishing South Dakota as one of the most affordable and business-friendly states in the nation.
He stands firmly against abortion, advocates for Second Amendment rights, and has collaborated with former Governor Noem on various homeland security initiatives, including immigration enforcement with ICE.
Interestingly, President Donald Trump has been notably absent in this competitive primary contest. Rhoden commented recently, “I don’t spend a lot of time worrying about it.” He noted that Trump usually opts to back winners and tends to play it safe, particularly in a scenario with multiple candidates like this one.
As the race continues, Duden faces other contenders, including Dowden and Hansen, who are also vying for support. Rep. Dusty Johnson is perceived to have a stronger statewide presence compared to the rest of the candidates.
In a different vein, Dowden has positioned himself as an outsider and a populist, primarily funding his campaign on his own, while presenting a conservative alternative to the political establishment. Hansen, on the contrary, aligns more with establishment conservatives, boasting over a decade of experience in the state Legislature.
