South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden defeated challenger Toby Doeden in the state’s first gubernatorial primary runoff on Tuesday, according to projections from Decision Desk HQ, NBC News, and other outlets. The runoff was necessary because neither candidate secured the required 35% threshold in the initial primary vote.
Rhoden, who assumed the governorship following Kristi Noem’s departure last year, will face Democrat Dan Ahlers, a former state senator, in the November general election. Given South Dakota’s reliably Republican voting patterns, Rhoden is expected to retain the seat.
Doeden, characterized by some sources as a businessman and outsider, had challenged the incumbent in the runoff contest. The outcome secures the Republican Party’s gubernatorial nomination for Rhoden ahead of the general election campaign.
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