South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden won a primary runoff election on July 28, 2026, defeating businessman Toby Doeden, who is known for his advocacy of Bitcoin. Rhoden received 70.5% of the votes, while Doeden garnered 29.5% with about 25% of the expected votes counted at the time the race was called by the Associated Press. This runoff was the first of its kind in South Dakota, as state law mandates a runoff when no candidate receives at least 35% of the primary vote.
In the earlier four-way primary held in June, Doeden led with 30.6% of the vote, followed by Rhoden with 25.2%. Rhoden became governor in early 2025 after Kristi Noem left to join the Trump administration. Doeden, a political newcomer, has invested heavily in Bitcoin since 2020 and has advocated for legislation allowing state pension funds to invest in cryptocurrency.
Rhoden will face former Democratic state Senator Dan Ahlers in the general election in November. South Dakota has not had a Democratic governor since 1979. Key issues in the campaign included property taxes, with Doeden proposing their elimination, while Rhoden's campaign argued that this would lead to significant funding shortfalls for local governments and schools. Rhoden's campaign also highlighted tax relief measures he signed into law earlier this year, which they described as the largest property tax cut in state history.
Doeden characterized Rhoden as part of the established political class, while Rhoden defended his experience in the Legislature as beneficial for governance. President Donald Trump did not endorse either candidate in the runoff but acknowledged Rhoden in a speech earlier in July.